Motorola Inc.'s new version of the Homesight home monitoring system no longer requires leaving your personal computer on all the time to monitor its signals remotely.

The system includes a video camera and wireless sensors that monitor movement, flooding, temperature changes and the opening of doors and windows. A starter kit that includes a camera, a motion detector and window and door sensors is available now for $100; additional sensors start at $20.

You will still need a Windows-based PC to set up the new $300 gateway version of the starter kit. But then the computer can be shut off, and you can still watch the video stream through a Web site or on a Java-enabled cell phone. (Any cell phone can receive nonvideo alerts.) You will never again have to wonder whether your cat is shredding the drapes while you're out shopping.

Statesman