If your CCTV setup uses this configuration, connect each camera to an available port on the dedicated CCTV router and then connect the router to your computer.

Once your camera is plugged in, navigate through the setup wizard provided on the CD. For the setup wizard to work, your PC will must be on the same network as the camera.

By plugging one into an old laptop and positioning the webcam with a clear view of the main floor, I could see the inside of my home, and all I needed to do was figure out how to access that ...

However, if you want a setup that is a step above your computer camera, but doesn’t require too many accessories, then an affordable, external webcam is the choice for you.

All is not lost, however—you might still be able to cobble together an equivalent setup with a digital SLR (dSLR) camera, camcorder, GoPro, or premium point-and-shoot you already own.

However, if you want a setup that is a step above your computer camera, but doesn’t require too many accessories, then an affordable, external webcam is the choice for you.