What it is
Xcam2 is a wireless video camera system designed for home use. You get a small video camera which can be plugged into a wall outlet or powered by an optional battery pack, a receiver that connects to your TV, VCR or PC, and the XRayVision software that will let you turn the whole thing into a wireless Webcam. The whole kit will set you back $129.99, and can be purchased directly from X10.com.

What they say it does
The Xcam2 is a truly wireless (when used with the battery pack) video camera system that can be used for home security, Internet communication or Web site design. The system can either be used alone while attached to a TV, VCR or other video display, or in conjunction with a PC (through a USB connection) to broadcast real-time stills on Web pages. The wireless transmitter sends signals at a much stronger frequency than similar devices, allowing a greater range of use in the home and office.

The ROUZE Real World Challenge
We tested the Xcam2 in both the PC and VCR configurations in an average household environment. The setup was simple enough, with only a few cables to worry about, and most of the hardware pre-configured to work out of the box. Once we aimed the camera at something non-incriminating and plugged the receiver into the VCR, we were set. Images from the camera were relayed to the VCR without a problem, though sometimes the image quality was sketchy. By leaving it attached to the VCR and aiming the camera at a door window, we could even tell who was knocking when visitors came.

Next, we used the XRayVision software to get the receiver attached to the PC. This provided us with a relatively easy-to-use interface to take snapshots and save photos on the computer. We ran into very few problems throughout the test.