Not related to appliances ...

Answering my own question here, but after a bit of noodling around, I found a cheap (less than $100) security recording system to replace my ancient one, drop in a hard drive, so decided to give it a try. About a fifth the weight, a quarter the size, lots more capabilities, takes both analog inputs and some digital/IP cameras (limited number though). If I were starting from scratch would probably go all digital but being able to use what I already have wired made this an easy decision. Terrible instructions with this unit, but eventually figured it out, and now I can see what's on the cameras from away on my phone. The only extra expense was that it made more sense to replace the ancient monitor (old connections, no hdmi, terrible image and burn-in), so a small cheap digital TV sacrificed, as it also fit the wallmount space and vesa mount perfectly. I had meant to measure the power draw on the old ones and forgot; given how big and old and hot, I could argue that on electricity alone they'll save some money (okay, likely not much). At any rate was only a matter of time with the old system - even the old hard drives it uses are increasingly hard to find and expensive (for what you get). I was pretty surprised at how much smaller and lighter newer gear is in comparison - not to mention reasonably priced.

We have Lorex, they are cheap, internet connected. They've caught Foxy, Woody, Chucky, Rocky, and tons of spiders. (you have to keep the cameras clear of webs). We had the alarm aystem go off when we weren't home and looking at our chespo, i ternet cameras heloed us pinpoint the problem: thanks to a security system with the previous owner's room designations, my kid didn't recognize a door was ajar, and bypassed the zone when she saw no door open in the the zone she thought it was Rocky came in and hightailed it out of there when the alarm went off. The indoor cameras are $25, I think the outdoor $50.

Arlo is definitely a solid choice, I heard a lot of good things about them, especially from friends. Nest and Ring are also popular, and they've got some nifty features.