Every parent knows that one of the basic problems with a baby monitor is the (really annoying) phenomenon of interference. This interference can happen at any time even if you are using a frequency that has given you clear sound before. It can drive you simply bananas. Manufacturers have been trying for ages to solve this problem and they are getting closer...or so it appears.
The breakthrough is secure data transmission so that in effect you have a secure connection between the two devices. This is a godsend to parents as they will no longer have to listen to the screeching, whistling and popping when interference takes place. It means that other baby monitors, cordless or mobile phones will not cause static or other interference. The key behind it is that the new monitors provide a secure connection which uses data encryption, so you the parent will be able to hear your own baby and nobody else's --plus nobody else will be able to hear your baby. Perfect for everyone. This is a fundamental step in improving the very basic performance of baby monitors.
There must be other bells and whistles to make it an ideal monitor, such adjustable sound sensitivity which allows you to increase or decrease the microphone sensitivity. The real benefit to this is that you can turn it up so you can actually hear the baby's breathing. Very reassuring for most parents.
Other functions that are helpful are indicators that verify the connection between the 2 devices and if you wanted the lower the volume, an indicator light can flash if your baby makes a noise...great if you don't want the breathing sounds in the background...and not all parents do. This would also help a parent that is hard of hearing.
Range can also be important, newer monitors have over 300m / 325 yard ranges. This will enable good reception both in the house wherever you are both in and outside the house. For this to be truly functional the receiver unit carried by the parent must be small and ideally come with a clip for the belt, pocket or purse. An out of range warning should be built in, a low battery indicator, and a system check of some kind. You have to rely on this so make sure it gives you what you need. Convenience is an important part of this device. Take note of how long you can monitor on one charge...good monitors allow a minimum of 24 hours of monitoring.
I have often spoken about the benefits of two way baby monitors. The talk-back feature lets the parent not just hear the baby, but interact with their baby too. New models are adding features like a selection of songs or lullabies that you can use to soothe your baby (or just use your own voice) and even soft glowing lights to distract and comfort them. Some models even project shapes e.g. stars around the baby and monitor room temperature. All good features but in reality are worth very little if the unit is prone to interference. Solve that first and go from there.
I notice that Philips (gadgets) recently teamed up with Avent (baby care feeding) to launch something called the "Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication" (DECT) baby monitor range. If their claims are true they guarantee zero interference with other household devices. They are not the cheapest around as they seem to start at around 0 and go up as you add bells and whistles. However if they have really solved the interference issue they may well be worth looking at. Reviews I have read are generally positive but the only real way to know is try them out for yourself. Good luck.
