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In addition to the camera which enables the user to remotely check up security of there property, Ring also offers an associated service where videos, which could be used for evidence of nefarious activity, are stored for periods of up to 60 days.

While the cams are also available in black, the one used for this review was white except for the roughly 40 x 70mm window over the camera lens, microphone, speaker and the infra-red LED for night-time viewing.

Overall it is 60mm diameter and 100mm tall. The mount which is fixed to the rear of the unit has been designed to provide a wide range of adjustments and can be fixed on either a wall or table. On the cam’s underside, behind a removable cover, are the Ethernet and USB connections together with the WiFi pairing button. This cover, which slides in grooves in the body of the cam and is retained by a captive screw, provides protection from water when installed outdoors. As it is environmentally rated as IPX5, it should not be affected even when water is sprayed upon it.

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It communicates with one’s router and then the outside world either via WiFi or Ethernet and gets its power either via a normal USB connection or, when using Ethernet, via a PoE (power over Ethernet) adapter that enables power to be delivered over the Ethernet cable that connects it to one’s router.

As well as the Cam, complete with its attached mount, there are the two power bricks – one for the USB connection and the other for Ethernet. If the user opts for the latter, most likely when the cam is installed outdoors, the provided PoE adapter is connected in the cable run between the router and the cam. (The 3ft cable supplied is for connection between the router and the PoE adapter while the 20ft one then goes out to the cam.)

Ring aims to provide everything that the user will need to get up and running with the Cam so that, in addition to the mounting screws and wall plugs, a masonry drill bit is supplied. A double-ended screwdriver is also in the box on the basis that users cannot be expected to have a suitable screwdriver for the Torx anti-tamper screws that are used on the Cam mount and the cover on the base of the Cam. This type of screw is used because it reduces the risk of someone removing the screws and stealing the Cam.

Having downloaded and installed the Ring Always Home app from the Android Play Store (or Apple’s App Store) one goes through the standard procedure which includes setting up an account, with name, address and phone number as well as email user name and password. It also asks whether it will be an indoors or outdoor installation. Among the other details required are whether it will be powered via USB or PoE and then shows how to go about it.

Once the basic set up and installation has been carried out one can move on to motion detection settings so that, for example it will detect people only or, at the other end of the scale, all activity. In addition a time schedule can be set up so that, for example, it will detect untoward motion when one is out at work during the week but not at other times The motion zone is also set up to select the view area where motion is detected. This may be important if, for example, one doesn’t want an alarm to be triggered when a robotic vacuum cleaner that is in its field of view gets to work.

When motion is detected an alert is sent the phone. The user can then view the scene and, if required, have a two-way conversation or even set off a siren to deter an intruder. In addition, the user can log into the camera at any time to satisfy themselves that everything is OK.

As one would expect from any very wide angle camera one gets a “fish eye” view. It is, nevertheless, very clear especially when people move across the centre of the target area.

During the first thirty days one has trial access to the Ring Protect Plan where images are stored, and the date and time noted, by Ring so providing evidence in the event of a break in.

Overall, the Ring Stick Up Cam Wired, which is available from Amazon at £179, will act a as deterrent by providing real-time motion alerts to one’s phone, two-way talk and live view. Where, however, the user wants to store, review, share and download video which could possibly be used as evidence Ring offers two “Protect” plans which store motion and live view for up to 60 days. The basic one covers a single camera unit while the other covers unlimited devices at one address. They are priced respectively at £2.50/month (£25 p.a.) and £8/month (£80 p.a.)