SPRING, Texas – The sound of glass breaking, or a door being kicked in and thieves breaking into a house and taking whatever they want -- it's everyone's nightmare coming true.
It just happened on Rosemarie White's street in Spring to a neighbor just a few houses down.
"She was making dinner early on a Saturday night when someone just barged into her house. It definitely scared us," White said.
There's now a brand-new, inexpensive way to drive the bad guys off. Tiny, motion-activated cameras send high-definition video live to a smartphone, catching crooks right in the act.
With White far away, KPRC 2 went inside her home to test out several of these devices to see how they worked in the real world.
First up was Ring, which someone can connect to their doorbell and download the app for free. It sends an alert every time someone comes to the door. It can catch package thieves in the act and makes burglars think someone is home when they're not.
When KPRC 2 rang her bell and told White it was with the power company, even though she was away from home, White responded.
"I'm inside getting ready for work. I can't answer the door at the moment," she said.
Cops say that if a thief thinks someone is home, they will just leave. But what if a burglar decides to break into a home without checking the front door? That's where a device called Nest comes into play.
Nest is a small, motion-activated camera that can shoot, record and send live video of the burglary suspect straight to a phone.
The minute KPRC 2 entered White's home and went for her computer, she received an alert on her phone and a live feed video inside her home.
Nest allowed White to record KPRC's Bill Spencer and talk to him.
"Get out of my house. You're being recorded right now. I'm notifying the police immediately. Leave my things and get out right now."
Another device, the Canary, also alerts White and records and sends live video to her smartphone, but there's more. With the push of a button, White can sound a deafening alarm, frightening the thief, and by pushing another button, she can call the police.
Security expert John Napolitano said the systems are a great home safety choice for consumers.
"Truthfully, I own one of those systems. I was surprised how well it worked," Napolitano said.
The former Secret Service agent and security expert said the most valuable thing about all three devices is the recorded video they capture of the thieves that break into a home.
"It's invaluable, how much we can use that photograph and that video to apprehend the people who've committed these crimes. These are great devices," Napolitano said.
Each device offers different features and range in price from $179. See below for more product features and information:
- HD Camera: Always have a clear view of your home's entrance with wide-angle HD video.
- Led Ring: LED ring provides an array of light patterns to indicate the device’s current function.
- Speakers: Two configurable speakers ensure that not a word is missed, regardless of your surroundings.
- Motion detection
- Motion sensors activate the camera and trigger
- Instant mobile alerts when movement is detected.
- Microphone: Only hear what matters most, thanks to perfectly tuned echo cancellation.
- Cost: $179.
- Myfox Home Alarm Kit’s smart sensor, called IntelliTAG™, can detect a break-in before it occurs.
- Myfox offers the only home security camera with a privacy shutter.
- Myfox's 24/7 professional monitoring allows users to activate the affordable service simply by turning it on/off on a monthly basis through the Myfox app.
- Myfox Camera: $179.
- Myfox Home Alarm: $279 (There are also bundles available).
- Easy 60-second setup. Plug it in, download the Nest app and set it up from your Android or iOS device.
- See your home in HD. Securely stream 1080p HD video 24/7.
- Talk and listen with a built-in speaker and mic.
- Get alerts on your phone when there’s motion or sound in your home while you’re gone.
- Keep an eye on things around the clock with Night Vision.
- Subscribers to Nest Aware can record 10 or 30 days of video in the cloud and receive Person Alerts to distinguish between a person and another activity.
- Cost of Nest Cam Indoor: $199.
- Cost of Nest Aware: 10-day or 30-day subscription for $10 or $30 per month, respectively.
- The all-in-one security solution with HD camera, siren and air monitor OR Smart home security for everyone.
- Use the Canary app to sound the built-in 90 decibel siren, or connect directly to your local emergency services for immediate response. With Canary, you’re in control.
- HomeHealth Technology allows users to monitor for temperature, humidity and air quality.
- Powerful HD camera with night vision.
- Cost: $199.