What do you want out of your video baby monitor? You can pay over $300 for top-of-the-line, recording quality equipment or you can pay just under $100 for jerky webcam quality video. Let’s face it, when it comes to catching those special moments, nothing beats being there, firsthand, with an actual video camera. Yet, even the most dedicated parents can’t possibly be in the room with their babies every second. The main function of baby monitors video is to let you keep tabs on your little bundle of joy, without barging into the room every few minutes.

The Philips DECT baby monitor is frequently listed as one of the “Top 10 Best Baby Monitors.” Using the latest state-of-the-art security technology, you can rest assured that your baby monitor system works free of interference. Not only can you hear crystal-clear clarity, but you can also talk back through the monitor to soothe your baby. Added special features make it easy for you to monitor the baby’s room temperature and remotely activate lullabies or a light show to help your baby sleep easier. The lightweight receiver comes with neck and belt clips for easy mobility. On the downside, this is also one of the more expensive monitors, retailing at $200.

The Summer Infant video baby monitor ($105) comes with a 7-inch corded video infant monitor, a hand-held audio unit that runs off 3 AAA batteries, a belt clip and a video camera for tabletop or wall mount. You’ll get color and night vision when you want to see what’s going on, but you’ll also have the option of running the monitor in audio-only mode as well. The sound quality is clear, with a wide volume range so you can hear everything. Cordless phones and microwaves do not interfere with this model and even visits to the basement or attic will receive good reception. There are also multi-room units for monitoring more than one child, which many parents like.

Critics argue that baby monitors with video capabilities are over-priced and unnecessary. Technically, you could buy an audio baby monitor that has a “flashing light” mode for when you don’t want to be frightened by a sudden baby shriek. The louder your baby is yelling, the more lights light up. You don’t need to see your baby’s flushed red face and tonsils to know when he or she is yelling. Yet, other mothers say they just couldn’t live without a video baby monitor, since it lets them peek into so many rare moments, without disturbing the baby’s sleep or quiet time.

Video Baby Monitor Options is a post from: Baby Carrier Backpacks

Choosing the right baby monitor system is all about personal preference. For some people, clarity and having zero interference is most important. For that crowd, the Philips baby monitor is highly recommended. This system also appeals to people who would like to have features such as lullabies, night lights, the ability to talk back to the baby through their handheld unit and temperature controls. There are probably better options if you are looking for multiple parental receivers or if you need something with baby monitor video capabilities, as this feature is not available with the Philips monitors.

One of the problems with some of the low-end monitors, like the Fisher-Price baby monitor, for instance, is interference. These monitors can pick up everything from cars and police sirens to cordless phone conversations and radio broadcasts. If that’s not bad enough, the static that comes through can make it really hard to discern your baby’s voice out of the chaos. Additionally, neighbors with the same baby monitor brand may even be able to hear your baby too! The Philips monitor is known as the first DECT baby monitor (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications), which ensures crystal-clear quality. There are over 60 secure channels that the monitor can tap into, unlike more primitive systems that just have one or two. Like other digital baby monitors (compared to analog), the Philips baby monitors have secure, encrypted connections so no one else can listen in.

Sometimes it can be terrifying to hear a sudden, shrill baby screech. Light indicators are a useful feature on the Philips baby monitor, which lets you keep the volume turned off but still see how loud your baby is yelling, depending on how many lights flash. To soothe your baby from a remote location, a Philips monitor let you speak to your baby through the parental unit, which functions like a walkie-talkie. You can also cue up five 30-second lullabies from your handheld unit or turn on a night light that projects little stars onto the wall.

There have been a few complaints about the Philips baby monitor on baby monitor reviews sites. One customer mentioned she finds the price tag expensive for a baby monitor system that only has one parental unit, not two. Several others have complained that the night-light feature is “totally useless” and that the volume is way too low, so you will only hear your baby once he or she is screaming. However, the most common complaint is with the battery charger. Not only is the battery life only about two hours, but there have been many reports of dysfunctional cradles that do not charge, of rechargeable batteries that fried and even of melted batteries! Most of these customers paid the full $200 and said they felt royally gypped.

The Philips Baby Monitor is a post from: Baby Carrier Backpacks

Choosing the best baby monitor involves several steps. First, consider a digital baby monitor to avoid eavesdropping from neighbours. Secondly, consider buying either an analog monitor that has a different frequency than your cordless phone or a highly rated digital monitor to avoid interference impeding your signal. Thirdly, look at safety baby monitors with a long range if you have a big house, so you will always stay within reach. Lastly, when you set up your monitor’s camera or transmitter, be sure it’s out of the baby’s reach to prevent any unnecessary injuries.

When browsing for a baby monitor, the most important factor is clear reception. Muffled, fuzzy or screeching sounds will be distracting and difficult to discern from ambient sounds. With low-end wireless baby monitors, cordless telephone conversations may come through the channel or simple everyday appliances like microwaves may jumble the pictures or sounds. The best way to avoid interference is to purchase a quality baby infant monitor that has a similar range to your home size. If you buy one that is too large, it will be easier to pick up the neighbour’s frequencies. Also, tests show that digital baby monitors have less trouble with interference than analog baby monitors, so that should be considered as well. If you do settle on an analog monitor, ensure that your cordless phone and monitor do not work off the same Gigahertz frequency and look for a model that offers at least two different channel selections.

There can be some problems with safety baby monitors from time to time, making them less safe for your child. Some digital monitors may be overly sensitive, signaling every little gurgle, roll-over or sound. After a while, it becomes a case of “the baby monitor who cried wolf,” where you’ll be so desensitized to the constant alarms that you might miss a real emergency.

Also, many monitors do not have a very extensive range, which can make you think everything is quiet and lovely, when in reality, your baby is shrieking out of your range. Sometimes electronic devices like cordless phones and microwaves can also cause interference, making sounds muffled and distorted and leaving you to wonder, “Why did I buy this useless thing?”

In conclusion, safety baby monitors are non-essential, yet useful tools for new parents. Video baby monitors can show parents when the baby has awakened, so they know when to get the baby from the crib, without waiting for the warning screams. They can also reveal if the baby is caught up in the blankets, gnawing on the crib or in some other sort of precarious position. Parents can see if the family pets or their other children are bothering the baby in some way. For moms and dads worried about sleep apnea, breathing troubles or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, these systems can provide great peace of mind.

Safety Baby Monitors is a post from: Baby Carrier Backpacks