What are some of the best economical solutions for home security webcams?

[jfremani]

What are some of the best economical solutions for home security cameras?

There’s a lot of burglaries in my area so I’m trying to be proactive. Features I’d like to see, but could sacrifice one or two of these for the right price:

1) Ability to have multiple cameras.
2) Compatible with regular webcams.
3) Directly connects to wireless router without requiring computer to be turned on.
4) Runs on batteries.
5) Ability to monitor cameras (securely) from the web or a remote location.
6) Ability to have the last 24 hours of footage recorded to hard-drive, presumably when the PC is on.
7) If not #6, then can record upon sensing motion.

I’m curious about different software/websites offerings related to these, as well as hardware. I hope somebody can help. Thanks,

JD

 

[jfremani]

P.S. I've already done a search function, but only found more professional solutions, as well as references for people to use the search function.

I have a few cheap/old webcams (logitech, apple, and microsoft) that I'd like to use somehow inside, but I'm curious about the cheaper network webcams coupled with some sort of free/open-source software.

My budget is $300, but less is best.

 

[emt1]

Check out the Panasonic and AXIS network cameras.