What Is It?
An IP camera, also referred to as a network camera or Internet camera, allows you to view video images over computer networks such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), wireless network or the Internet. This networking capability makes IP cameras (network camera, Internet camera) suitable for a diverse range of security and non-security applications, including surveillance, office and parking lot security, construction job site monitoring, retail security, project management, transport security, home surveillance or for online marketing and PR where an Internet camera can be used as a professional webcam. |
IP Web Cam Apps
- Webcam apps are very popular for network cameras. Take a look at a few we've found.
- IP Cam for iOS
IP Cam turns your iOS device into a portable IP surveillance camera. Run IP Cam on your iOS device, and via WiFi network, you can view live images captured by your iOS device on web browser from any computer. You can even view IP Cam images from using Safari browser from another iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ip-cam/id333208495?mt=8
- ISpy
iSpy uses your cameras, webcams, IP cams and microphones to detect and record movement or sound. Captured media is compressed to flash video or mp4 and streamed securely over the web and local network. iSpy can run on multiple computers simultaneously and has full Email, SMS and MMS alerting functions and remote viewing.
http://www.ispyconnect.com/
How IP Web Cameras Work?
A IP Web Camera has its own IP Address and built-in computing functions to handle network communication. Everything required for viewing images over the Network is built into the unit. An IP Network Video Camera can be described as a Camera and a computer combined. It is connected directly to the Network as any other network device and it has built-in software for a Web server, FTP Server, FTP client and e-mail client. It also includes alarm input and relay output as well. More advanced Network Cameras can also be equipped with many other value-added functions such as motion detection and an Analog Video Output.
The Web Camera's camera component captures the image, which can be described as light of different wavelengths, and transforms it into electrical signals. These signals are then are converted from Analog to Digital Format and transferred into the computer function where the image is compressed and sent out over the network.
The lens of the Network Camera focuses the image onto the image sensor (CCD). Before reaching the image sensor, the images pass through the optical filter, which removes any infrared light so that the "correct" colors will be displayed. The image sensor converts the image, which is composed of light information, into electrical signals. These electrical, digital signals are now in a format that can be compressed and transferred over networks. The Camera functions to manage the exposure (light level of image), white balance (adjusts the color levels), image sharpness, and other aspects of image quality.
Viewing an IP Web Camera over the Internet
IP Network Cameras are designed to work in a Local Area Network (LAN) and over the Internet. Within a LAN, IP Network Cameras allow for motoring local to the computer network to which the cameras are attached to. With additional configuration of your computer network you have the ability to allow for your IP Network Camera to be monitored not only locally but remotely as well using the Internet. |
