Per Meanie:
Anyone using IP cameras in their home to watch while away?
Yes
What system do you have?
BlueIris + HikVision cams

Is it wired or wireless?
Wired 100%

How easy was it to set up?
Depends on your personal degree of techweeniesh-ness.
Simple for some, learning curve for others.... IP addresses,
port numbers, and so-forth

Are you able to view from phone?
Yes

Specific likes and dislikes about the system.
Like:
- Configurability

- Built-in web pages (take a look at
http://extremesurfcam.dyndns.org/jpegpull.htm)

- Features - like the ability to FTP and/or email
motion alert snapshots.

Dislike:
- Care and feeding
- Definitely NOT plug-and-play.

Other Stuff:
- You want "Turret" cams like this: http://tinyurl.com/zzxqjv7, not
"Bullet" cams like this: http://tinyurl.com/j4g5zyo

Reasons:
- Spiders are attracted more to the Bullet cams' IR and their
webs need to be constantly brushed away as they interfere
with the image and create false motion detection events.

- Turret cams' adjustability and general durability are far
superior to Bullet cams'.
--
Pete Cresswell