What is a Network Camera

A network camera is a camera that captures a digital video feed and transmits this feed to a network via a built-in network server. The type of network can vary: it may be a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wireless Area Network) or the images may even be transmitted over the Internet. A network camera can also be called an IP camera or an internet camera.

Webcams, popular for use with instant messaging, videoconferencing and live video feed web sites are essentially a type of network camera, although usually of lower quality than professional network camera products. They capture a live, digital video feed and then make the feed accessible over the internet or via the instant messaging or videoconferencing software network.

There is one major difference though between a webcam and a true network camera. In order for a webcam to transmit its feed to a network, it must be directly connected with a computer. The reason is that a webcam is simply a camera, the network server is supplied by the computer. A network camera, on the other hand, has a built in server, and thus need not depend on a computer for server access.

The most common function of a network camera is in video surveillance. In the internet age, corporations, small businesses and even homeowners are turning to network cameras for their security needs in lieu of the older, more traditional CCTV (Closed Circuit TeleVision) technology.

Some of the reasons for this switch are the inherent network capabilities of the network camera. While easy to set-up for a local network for on-site access, their compressed, digitized video feeds can also be simply sent out over the internet for remote access. Users can access a network camera video feed from anywhere with internet access: at home, at the office, even with many mobile phones.

Technology also exists for CCTV analog cameras to be used as part of a network camera surveillance system. A video server, a specialized type of web server, converts analog video signals into digital signals which can then be transmitted through your surveillance network. This allows for both network cameras and analog cameras to all be used in a single system if needed. Likewise digital network camera signals can also be converted to analog signals for recording on VCR or viewing on an analog television screen if required.

As with other varieties of cameras, network cameras vary in size. On the whole, however, they tend to be smaller than their analog, CCTV equivalents. As technology continues to advance, network cameras are becoming smaller all the time. Their small size allows for almost unlimited placement options as well as providing as much or as little visibility as required.

Many network cameras also come equipped with specialized features in addition to their basic function. Common features include object recognition (able to recognize individual objects in a room and take note if object is moved or removed), alert functions (sending out messages if something occurs), still photo functions and others. The special features to be found in any network camera depends on the brand and model.