By Angela Tuka

March 25, 1998 --

Theft and vandalism are cause for concern in every home and office. As a result, many vendors have introduced software/hardware combinations that help people rest easily while they lunch or vacation. With a camera atop your PC and a video-capture device, Darim Vision`s PC Snoop package turns your computer into your personal security guard.

The PC Snoop package includes a users` manual, CD-ROM software, and a video-capture device. Darim will offer a digital video camera later this year. If your PC doesn`t have a video-in port, you must install the video-capture device into a PCI slot.

PC Snoop detects motion, records intruders, sounds alarms, and works with any Windows 95 or NT screen saver. To configure the functions, enter your desktop`s Properties dialog box, select the Screen Saver tab, and choose PC Snoop as the computer`s screen saver. The PC Snoop screen saver is a dark, blank screen, making your PC look as if it is turned off. As with any screen saver, you have an option to specify a password and an activation period. From here, the Settings button takes you to the user-friendly configuration dialog box, which looks like a doghouse.

The dialog box consists of a motion-detection sensitivity slide, six command buttons (functions pop up by running the mouse arrow across any button), and a window with a live shot of the area covered by your digital video camera. You set the amount of motion needed to activate video capture with the motion-detection slide. The camera and capture card record movement in a proprietary PIX format.

Depending on the level of security needed, you click the Mode control button to choose security, secretary, and watchdog functions. Each mode lets you designate a spot on your hard disk for video-surveillance storage and can begin recording motion as soon as the PC Snoop screen saver activates. The security mode records only movement; the secretary and watchdog modes can execute outgoing messages in file types such as AVI, MID, MOVMP2, MPG, and WAV.

The outgoing message feature is similar to that of the one on your home answering machine or voice mail. In secretary mode you can play an outgoing video message on your monitor. For example, if someone should walk into your empty office, crossing the path of the camera would trigger the outgoing video message, indicating that you are out of the office or on vacation. You can set the length of a recorded message or use the default setting, which is limited only to the size of the storage area. The video greeting uses the MultiCap video-capture program, included with the card. Whoever steps in front of the camera can leave a voice message by using any microphone attached to the PC.

The watchdog mode plays designated audio files, handy for an unattended home: You can program your system to play loud sirens or barking dogs when the camera detects movement. PC Snoop records movement and saves video recordings in AVI format.

Darim has added Schedule and Show Detection buttons to Version 4.0. With Show Detection, the live video-image box on the configuration interface shows, with noticeable discoloration, where PC Snoop detects movement. Schedule lets you pick a mode of operation and a special time of day to monitor the area around your PC.

PC Snoop saves surveillance videos in its security-log browser. Its controls resemble those of a VCR or CD player and are very easy to use. Every video segment displays the date and time of detection. For future use, the log browser can save collected images as BMP or AVI files.

Darim backs PC Snoop with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty on the included hardware. As a bonus, Darim throws in Microsoft NetMeeting video- and audio- conferencing software and Ulead MediaStudio 2.5 software for video capturing and editing. The PC Snoop package is a great idea for all users who want to monitor their valuables at home or at work.