In USA, Comcast is the first ISP to enter the home automation and security services market.

Comcast's offering, Xfinity, handles video monitoring, alarms, lighting and heating. One accesses all online through either PC or smartphone. There's also an option for text and email alerts.

The company breaks the service into 2 tiers - "Preferred" and "Basic". The Basic package includes only limited access to the full mobile access service suite offered. No pricing details are mentioned as yet. But ISPs worldwide see the market to install and handle security as potentially lucrative (with security costs billed together with internet usage) and that will make ISPs direct competitors with security installers.

Go Comcast Xfinity Security

Vue's wireless camera system makes it simple for customers to set up and use. Wireless battery operated cameras connect to a gateway (plugs into router or modem). Users can check their camera feeds online through personal vuezone.com account (requires yearly subscription).

The wireless cameras transmit up to 100m to the nearest gateway. They mount on custom sticks via magnetic mounts, and easily relocate as needed. The cameras shoot video in flv at up to VGA resolution, and use FrameMesh wireless video encryption. Vuezone says battery life is up to one year under normal usage.

The personal video network starter pack contains 2 wireless cameras, 4 camera mounts, 1 gateway and 1 year's free subscription to a vuezone.com account. After 1 year, the vuezone.com account requires a yearly subscription for 2GB of video storage. Accounts can be shared as the user requires.

1 gateway syncs with up to 50 cameras, and a network takes up to 3 gateways.

Go Vue Personal Video Network

Move over. Here come the big brands…Logitech introduces a wireless home-monitoring camera system based on the Homeplug AV wireless-networking platform.

“The video security market is characterized by expensive, hard-to-install and hard-to-use security systems, as well as poor-quality monitoring cameras," points out Eric Kintz, VP/GM of Logitech's video business.

Ouch... Hard-hitting Logitech is combining its training in out-of-the-box mass market sales with its HD video expertise (remember it dominates webcams at retail and also bought Lifesize) to throw its big retail brand punch into the home security market. Home security makers may reel from this hit, but Logitech will soon swing the second blow: they will bring Logitech Alert to the TV later this year as they enable Logitech Revue with Google TV customers to view any camera from any Google TV connected screen.

HAI’s Wireless Driveway Sensor 63A00-1 uses Earth's magnetic field to detect passing metal objects (presumably from automobiles to UFOs).

It can be used to turn on outdoor lighting upon approach or to alert homeowners when a visitor has entered the driveway. Since the 63A00-1 is wireless, there is no digging or underground cable required. The Wireless Driveway Sensor has two unique mounting options via the included stake or post/wall mount.

"This is a great value-add product for larger projects," explains HAI President, Jay McLellan. "Installation is easy for our dealers, and the additional benefit of showing driveway surveillance video when a car enters the driveway is an often requested feature."

Available during Q2, Wireless Driveway Sensor is part of HAI's wireless security product line, and requires use with HAI 64 Zone Wireless Receiver.

Go HAI

Home Security is the entry point into the Digital Home. Based on this premise, uControl has created an open and technology-agnostic Home Security, Monitoring and Automation (SMA) platform.

uControl's open platform leverages home security services to accelerate the deployment of energy management, home automation and next gen services that your consumers will demand. The uControl says its TouchScreen is “a true gateway to future revenue beyond the initial monthly monitoring fees that you would expect from a home security service.”

The following are just a few of the benefits uControl lists that your organization when you add uControl's services to your existing product bundles.

• Bundling opportunities with phone (VoIP), broadband, wireless, and cable services

• Flexibility of subscription models, including both professional and self-monitoring options, IP video cameras, two-way voice monitoring and home automation

• Additional branding touch points via web, mobile and TouchScreen portals

• Utilization of the TouchScreen as an additional content portal for widgets, social networking and integration with services such as Caller ID,Voicemail and Pay-Per-View/On Demand

• Monetization of content and applications on the TouchScreen – including advertising and subscription revenues

• Ongoing add-on services as SMA develops into next generation functionality such as Green Tech automation

Go UControl

Hawking's HomeRemote Pro Home Control and Remote Monitoring Starter Kit lets your customer secure, monitor and control their home remotely via a computer web browser or cellular phone.

Using the broadband connection, the HomeRemote Pro Internet Gateway communicates with the HomeRemote Pro servers to allow remote control of home lighting, appliances, doors, garages, window shades, thermostat and more from the user friendly HomeRemote Pro Interface.

With the HomeRemote Pro System installed, you log on to the HomeRemote Pro website, enter your login information and begin monitoring your home; or open the HomeRemote Pro application on your cell phone and begin viewing live video of your home or turn the heater on before arriving home. The applications for the HomeRemote Pro System are limitless; begin customizing one for your lifestyle today.

Hawking calls it "the first affordable, do- it-yourself, mass market, home automation and security solution Starter Kit"

Go Hawking Starter Kit