An Overview of IP Recording Software

IP Network Video is about to overtake CCTV as the standard for Video Security and Surveillance and it is important to understand that - as a computer application - the IP Recording Software component is very important to the overall solution, in addition to the actual IP camera. Most IP cameras are sold with some type bundled IP recording software with varying degrees of functionality. Third party software is available for security and surveillance requirements that go beyond the capabilities of the free IP recording software included with the cameras. Milestone System's XProtect software is the leader in this third party IP Recording Software market. The third party software is usually sold with licenses for the number of cameras to be monitored and recorded, with additional camera licenses purchased as requirements expand.

Following is an overview of the core functionality of most IP Recording Software.

Viewing

The IP cameras can be viewed directly from the server or remotely over the internet with a browser, usually Internet Explorer. The number of live cameras that can be viewed simultaneously is software brand dependent but usually all the cameras available can be viewed simultaneously. However, 16 cameras is the practical limit to be viewed simultaneously on one screen.

IP Camera / Video Server Recording

Typical IP Recording Software has many options for video recording to hard disk. Video from each individual IP camera or video server can be set to record in the following ways:

• Continuously (although this will consume large amounts of disk space).
• Scheduled for particular times.
• Automatically upon events such as motion detection and other input events such as alarm and door sensors.
• Manual control.

Recorded Video Playback

IP Recording Software also has many options for playback of recorded video. Individual or multiple cameras can be played back simultaneously and can be searched by event occurrence and/or time of day. Playback can be viewed remotely. Video can be exported in AVI format then e-mailed or burnt to disk and used for evidentiary purposes. The AVI files are playable on most PC video players such as Windows Media Player or Quicktime.

Archiving Recorded Video

Depending on the brand of IP Recording Software, archiving can be scheduled daily or hourly and can be done in the background so as not to interrupt recording. One of the major advantages of IP Network Video is that files can be archived to remote drives located anywhere in the network or over the Internet, which increases the security of recorded video.

IP Camera PTZ Control

IP Recording Software usually provides features for the control of Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ) cameras. PTZ Control features can include full manual control, preset positions, preset patrolling, multiple patrol schemes, combined patrolling and PTZ on events, and joystick support.

Expansion

Bundled IP Recording Software that comes with IP cameras usually has a fixed number of cameras that can be managed. That number is most often 16 cameras or less. Third party software however is usually expandable, sometimes to an unlimited number of cameras that can be managed. Third party IP Recording Software often adheres to open programming standards and thus allows for the integration of other applications such as Access Control. It will also allow for the integration of advanced third party Video Analytics algorithms for object tracking, people counting and unattended baggage identification to name a few.

Summary

IP Recording Software is a vital component of an IP Network Video Security and Surveillance solution and it comes with a range of features depending on which software is chosen. However, most software packages have a core functionality of Viewing, Recording, Playback, Archiving, PTZ control and allow for expansion beyond a few cameras. The difference between the various IP Recording Software packages is the level of sophistication within these core functional areas.

4XEM offers free IP Recording Software with every IP Camera and Video Server that allows you to monitor and record up to 16 devices. Click here to read more information about our free bundled software.