Daniel Conroy, 24, and Mark Robson, 22, were filmed stealing a PlayStation games console after breaking into a house in central Middlesbrough, thinking it was an ordinary home.
But Cleveland Police had fitted the unoccupied property with CCTV cameras, turning it into a trap for burglars.
The footage shows the pair banging on the window first to check there were no occupants, then breaking into the house and taking the PlayStation, box, leads and other items from the front living room before fleeing.
The pair, both of Marton Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to burglary after being prosecuted for the break-in.
Conroy was remanded in custody and Robson on bail. Both are due to be sentenced on March 13.
The sting was part of the force's crackdown on house burglaries, Operation Castle.
The number of burglaries in Middlesbrough has almost halved since the operation began, police said.
During October, November and December 2008 burglaries in Middlesbrough fell to 248 from 459 the previous year.
