Advanced Baby Monitors

As a technology guy, I went on a search for the latest in baby monitor technology.  I was sad to see that most advanced baby monitors failed to have one major feature: they didn't function as baby monitors.  That may sound weird, but in all actuality, it is true.  The problem was the advanced monitors acted more as nanny-cams than as baby monitors.  They worked well in the nanny-cam space, but not as a baby monitor.

First, here is what I was looking for in an advanced baby monitor.  First, they should function as baby monitors.  I will get to this point later.  Second, I wanted multiple "parent units".  If my wife and I are in different rooms, I want us both to have the ability to monitor the baby.  Third, I wanted the option to see video of my baby.  This is the nanny-cam concept.  I want it more for two sub-tasks: 1) allow me to see why my baby is fussing and 2) allow grandparents to see the baby.

Now, a little background on what baby monitors are supposed to do.  This may sound weird....everyone should know what a baby monitor does.  The problem is, I don't think the makers of the advanced baby monitors know what baby monitors are supposed to do.  Baby monitors allow parents to listen to a baby to hear if they need to pay the baby a visit.  This is an important fact.  The reason it is important is because of how most advanced baby monitors work.  They are sound alarms.  In the event that too much sound occurs, they send a text or an email to your phone.  Unfortunately, this tells you that a sound was made, not that your baby needs you.  Those two things can be different.  I don't want to get a text because my baby farted really loud (I'm a parent now; I can make fart jokes).  True baby monitors transmit audio so that I can tell the different between loud farts and cries for attention.

That brings us to the next reason why advanced baby monitors fail at being baby monitors.  They don't work for an extended period of time.  That "extended" period of time can be measured in seconds.  Two issues tend to pop up.  First, the audio/video stream buffers, causing you to not hear anything.  Second, the stream completely shuts down.  I have read reviews of various other monitors, and they tend to say the Withings Smart Monitor that I linked to above is one of the more stable products on the market.

In the end, I decided to buy two cheaper products that ended up costing less than a single "smart" baby monitor.  I bought the VTech Digital Baby Monitor and a Foscam FI8918W IP camera.  I will write up a review for the VTech in a future post.  Between these two products, I get something that fits all my requirements.  First, the VTech is a functioning baby monitor with two parent units.  Second, I can use my MK802, phone or tablet to access the Foscam.  I can also give grandparents access to log into the Foscam.