| What is an IP camera? | | | | Cameras can come with two methods of |
| In simplest terms, an IP Camera is a stand-alone | | | | Zooming: Optical and Digital. One is called Digital |
| device that transmits audio and video through a | | | | Zoom. |
| standard CAT5 Network Cable. It has a built-in | | | | Digital Zoom discards pixels around the edge of |
| web server which allows the camera to run | | | | the video fitting the remaining pixels into the |
| individually without a PC having to be connected. It | | | | same space to give the appearance of Zooming |
| also allows you to view the audio and video by | | | | in. This comes with the expense of resolution and |
| connecting directly to the camera with your | | | | causes the Zoomed image to look very pixilated. |
| internet browser without any software being | | | | A post was made on the forums that addresses |
| installed. This allows you access the camera from | | | | the differences between digital zoom and optical |
| any location, even over the Internet. Click here to | | | | zoom. Click here to view the post. |
| learn more about IP cameras. | | | | Infrared |
| IP cameras have many advantages over tradition | | | | When needing to view video in the dark, Infrared |
| CCTV security cameras. Some of these features | | | | is the way to go. Cameras can come with a |
| include wireless connectivity, the ability to view | | | | built-in IR (Infrared) lens or the ability for an |
| video remotely over the Internet, the ability to | | | | add-on IR lens to be equipped. Infrared is a wave |
| record to a remote location and ... | | | | of light that is outside of the visible part of the |
| Advanced features of Network Cameras can | | | | color spectrum. Infrared illuminators shine this |
| offer added security for certain applications. | | | | wave of light which the lens picks up. |
| These features include, Motion Detection, Pan/Tilt | | | | Analog Output |
| Zoom, Infrared, Analog Output and Two-way | | | | Some cameras come with an Analog Output to |
| Audio. | | | | configure your camera to be notified of opened |
| Lets discuss these features in greater detail. | | | | doors, alarms, or other events. Once notified of |
| Motion Detection | | | | these events, the camera will start taking |
| Some Network Cameras come with a feature | | | | snapshots or video. |
| called Motion Detection. Hot-Spots can be setup | | | | Two-way Audio |
| within the video frame to detect motion. Once | | | | A Majority of cameras have audio built-in to the |
| motion is detected, the camera will begin | | | | camera. This allows you to hear audio along with |
| recording or generate a snapshot which can be | | | | the video the camera displays. Some cameras |
| Emailed or sent to a web server via FTP of the | | | | come with Two-Way Audio. |
| detected motion. Snapshots can also be sent of | | | | There are two types of Two-Way Audio. One is |
| images prior to the motion and after the motion. | | | | a Full-Duplex Two-Way Audio that allows the user |
| Pan/Tilt/Zoom | | | | at the PC to hear audio from the camera and |
| Having the ability to Pan and Tilt adds greater | | | | also speak back to the camera and have audio |
| security if you have a large viewing area. Once | | | | come out of the camera itself. Some cameras |
| logged into a Network Camera with Pan and Tilt | | | | have a speaker port on the back to plug in |
| capabilities, controls appear next to your video | | | | external speakers which will give off the audio. |
| allowing you to move the camera left, right, up | | | | The second type is a Two-Way Audio within the |
| and down. The controls can be used even over | | | | camera itself. The camera will pickup audio and |
| the Internet. | | | | send the audio to the speakers hookedup to the |
| Along with the Pan and Tilt feature, some | | | | camera. |
| cameras come with Zoom. Zooming is also handy | | | | In the next article we will be addressing how IP |
| when a greater detail of video is needed. Network | | | | cameras work. |