Is someone watching?
In today's small world, where millions of people who have never met come into contact everyday, security is more important and harder to provide. Fortunately, security technology has improved to address this problem. Video surveillance is an important tool, being used in a wide variety of areas--from private residences to large museums. IP video surveillance is the newest form of this technology, providing a clearer picture at a lower cost.
Internet Protocol
The basic difference between an IP video system and the older CCTV technology is the transmission of the video signal over the Internet protocol. IP cameras send and receive signals over the Internet and closed computer networks. This method of transmission is much more flexible than the older analog model.
Transmission
Unlike CCTV cameras, which are limited to the resolution set by NTSC/PAL standards, the resolution on an IP camera is limited only by the bandwidth that is available. The IP video system can provide a much clearer picture than any other method of surveillance. An IP camera is generally equipped with everything that is needed for transmission over a network without any needed extra equipment.
Networks
Depending on the specific system that is in use, there are many different types of connections that can be used to establish an IP video system. From ISDN lines, to cable modems, to wireless modems, a system can be established that provides high quality video at a low price. Recent systems, in the late 2000s, have been created that take advantage of cellular networks to transmit signals, which allows for lower costs.
Static IP Address
To access the video feed provided by an IP camera, customers generally purchase a static IP address from an Internet provider. Once this has been purchased, the camera can be programed to send its signal to this address, and all that is needed to access the feed is a common Web browser. A static address is generally preferred to the more conventional dynamic address as it never changes and is therefore more reliable.
Difference Between a Webcam and an IP Camera
The difference between the typical webcam, that you can purchase for your home computer, and an IP camera, is that an IP camera is self-contained. All that's needed for the recording and transmission of video is already inside the IP camera and it can be set up anywhere without any extra hardware. The IP camera processes and stores the images it records, and then, on its own, transmits them to whatever site the user designates.
Tags: that needed, video system, clearer picture, difference between, over Internet, static address, transmission video
