Well, puns are the quintessential dad crime.

Perhaps I’m ashamed to admit that there’s no crime in asking.

Do the cameras just connect to a switch with PoE?

I didn’t get any useful results: https://www.google.com/search?q=ads

Around here in New Jersey, yes. People typically replace their doorbell switches with camera devices from Google or Amazon. People even set them up at their apartment doors. Dedicated NVR systems are also commonly installed in houses. In my case, I am not especially concerned about break-ins. Break-ins are rare in my neighborhood and I don’t think a camera system would do much to prevent one anyway. There have just been some nuisances over the past year including my bird feeder camera getting swiped and someone repeatedly letting their dog poop right next to my house without cleaning it up. I’d like to be able to have recordings of problems like that so I can maybe do something about it. Also, I like the idea of being able to check on things when I’m away.

Thanks!

I also have dog. Lots of great features exclusive this platform, but it has a few shortcomings as you mentioned.