Nowadays, many parents are considering using hidden in-home surveillance devices to watch how their child's caregiver works in their absence. The Counter Spy Shops, an international retail chain, reports a 25% increase just over a span of past five years in the sales of these spy camcorders-often called as "nanny cams." Hidden cameras or nanny cams are increasingly gaining popularity because of their proven effectiveness in identifying abusive nannies. With a nanny cam in place, parents know for sure how their children are actually being taken care of. These hidden cameras have helped many people catch abusive nannies who otherwise left unmonitored, would have continued to abuse or neglect the children.

Some of the most obvious advantages are "being in command" of the situation at home. The situation gets only better as now with advanced technology, a parent can keep a constant watch on the care taker when in the office or at work, through his computer viewing a live transmission or even on his cell phone when mobile. The device is also frequently used while your home is being cleaned or for occasional in-home sitter services, or for other security reasons. They are especially helpful in case of threat from burglars; kidnappers, fire or anybody up to some mischief while the Nanny is off guard.

The spy cam is usually overlooked by the child and the care giver. The built-in camera sends superior quality images to the receiver. Parents can view the images using their TV or computer. Wireless nanny cams hidden in plants are ideal for homes and offices. An artificial plant cleverly conceals a wireless camera. The advantage of this type of camera is that it can be placed any where in your home to be used to monitor the children. Another interesting addition to collection of nanny cameras is the air purifier concealed nanny cam. The camera fixed in the air purifier is absolutely unnoticeable.

Most of these are however, wireless and can be hidden in almost any type of household item from a plant to a stuffed animal. Other added advantages and features include being compact to go undetected, recording in color, automatically adaptive mode for "night vision" and being waterproof. Other cams are automatically equipped for CCTV Software for USB CamEz-Setup, Motion Detect, Disk Store Email Send, FTP, and HTTP. Their simple plug and play setup lets you record on any VCR or a CCTV recorder for a maximum of up to 10 hours in one go using a 10 Hour VHS Tape.

At the other end of the spectrum of baby monitoring, is monitoring for the elderly. Despite the name "nanny cam", this type of video surveillance equipment is obviously not restricted to recording the babysitter! Elderly parents are at risk too if they live alone with no one to help should they accidentally fall and can't get to the phone. By installing a video streaming device at your parent's home, you can also spot check your parents should they require assistance. As you can see, video monitoring equipment is not such a controversial issue when it is used in the proper context. When protecting your loved ones, it's a great idea.