IP surveillance cameras

IP cameras offer high-quality video and audio real time feed back from any place in the world.

General functionality of IP video technologies makes them a suitable solution for all aspects of security. Offices, banks, casinos, airports, schools, administrative and public buildings, shopping centers, private homes, traffic and other traffic sites can be remotely monitored thanks to them through IP-based network infrastructure. Except as a separate decision on video, network cameras, it can be integrated in more sophisticated security systems. Features like power over Ethernet cable, easy installation and maintenance and practically unlimited number of customer settings give this technologies great advantage compared to analog video surveillance camera.

Integrated video and audio

Among further benefits are hereby integrated sound recording and video. Besides video, the network camera support transmission of different types of data, for example: input-output information, audio, data management camera, etc. The signal captured by the video network represents light beam, formed by rays of different wavelength that is converted to digital form and sent over the network. Image is high quality and can be seen in their actual colors, due to the fact that before it reaches the lens of IP camera, the image passes through an optical filter. The filter purpose is to absorb infrared waves, and adjusts the picture. The image is transmitted without delay, and tears in the picture, thanks to the integrated mode Progressive scan (Coherent transition). In this mode, the frames are stored in its original order not like the ordinary video cameras using Interlaced mode – odd frames first, then the even ones.

Resulting digital images can be stored either at a computer hard disk or at server storage network. Most IP cameras transmit images in MPEG4 (Moving Picture Expert Group) format, which ensures high picture quality, greater flexibility in the resolution settings, high speed data flow, better reproduction of fast motion and more.

Opportunities to connect to the Internet

Network cameras have their own IP address and embedded software for network communication - web server, FTP server, FTP client and email address. IP cameras provide several options for connecting to the Internet. Among them are the standard ISDN modems, DSL modems, modems for cable TV and 10, 100 and 1000 Mbit Ethernet connections. In addition, modems, cell phones and other wireless network options can be also used.

As already stressed, images by the camera are transmitted directly on the IP network, so that video records can be monitored, managed and stored locally or remotely over IP-based network infrastructure. They work independently and can be connected to the network in any compatible IP interface.

Very broad application area

Due to the really broad functionality that offer, IP video technologies are appropriate solutions for different areas of security - remote monitoring of sites, road traffic, transport, storage of records in support of police forces and others. Used for security and access control in offices, banks, casinos, airports, schools, administrative and public buildings, shopping centers and houses. IP cameras are often used in video surveillance of remote sites or in the simultaneous monitoring of several sites. Monitoring could be done from the respective control rooms and police sectors, for example. Network cameras could find adequate application in industry, in monitoring of automated machinery and production line. Authorized person could remotely monitor any problems in production and take appropriate action.

Types of IP video surveillance cameras

Several types of network cameras are used in video surveillance systems, depending on the specifics of their implementation. The most traditional type cameras are wall mountable with fixed angle of the image. When installing outdoors, surveillance IP cameras may be installed in housing and thus be protected from adverse weather effects. Static constraints of this type of network cameras can be overcome with the use of PTZ (Pan, Tilt and Zoom) cameras for moving objects or vehicles. As evidenced by their name, the camera can operate in standby view, tilt and zoom manually or automatically. Movements are guided by an operator monitoring video images of control room.

Dome PTZ cameras is another type used in video surveillance systems. Extensive territory is in their cover, thanks to greater flexibility in work arrangements in view, tilt and zoom. Unlike other PTZ cameras, PTZ dome camera allows 360 degrees pan and tilt 180 degrees while moving automatically between predefined positions. This kind of cameras are mounted on a ceiling - where conditions indoors, or on a pillar or corner - when used outdoors.

Variety of such models are PTZ cameras with electronic realization of the movement in which the operator can choose view mode, zoom in or slope without the need for the camera itself to move. Immediate movement and change of image is an advantage, compared to mechanical PTZ cameras in which the transfer takes a period of about one seconds.