D-Link launches new surveillance cam with Powerline networking

D-Link is shipping the first in the line of its D-Life products, a series that is designed to enable users to easily manage networking devices via its D-Life Web site. First up is a surveillance camera kit that allows remote viewing of live streaming video from a remote Web browser. Starting at $399.95, the Internet Surveillance Starter Kit (DHA-390) is pricier than most entry-level IP Web cams, but D-Link bundles two Powerline networking adapters with the camera.

D-Link touts the new D-Life product as a foolproof way for even novice users to take advantage of the camera to monitor the home, children, and, of course, pets. I’ve installed several IP cams, and I’ve found none to be quite as effortless as D-Link describes the DHA-390. I’ve asked the company to send me an evaluation unit to test that claim, so stay tuned. I’ve tested only Wi-Fi IP cams, however. The D-Life camera is a different animal. Using Powerline adapters, it plugs into existing power outlets in the home for connecting to the home network router and then out to the Internet. D-Link says consumers can access the camera via the D-Life Web site for remote viewing and management of their account (adding new users to the camera, for instance). The D-Link D-Life Internet Surveillance Starter Kit (DHA-390) is available now from the D-Link shop.