Network cameras are Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that utilize Internet Protocol to transmit image data and control signals over an Fast Ethernet link. As such, IP cameras are also commonly referred to as network cameras. IP cameras are primarily used for surveillance in the same manner as analog closed-circuit_television. A number of IP cameras are normally deployed together with a digital video recorder (DVR) or a network video recorder (NVR) to form a video surveillance system.
The terms IP camera and network camera are most commonly used to refer to surveillance cameras with a Fast Ethernet interface. An IP network camera can be described as a camera and computer combined in one unit. It captures and transmits live images directly over an IP network, enabling authorized users to locally or remotely view, store, and manage video over standard IP-based network infrastructure. IP Network Cameras are utilized in environments such as video surveillance, city wide deployments, police projects, beach cams, utility plants, nuclear reactors, coal mines and desert locations. Remote viewing of the camera can be done via the internet.
The first IP camera was released in 1996 by Axis Communications. It utilized an embedded Linux platform internal to the camera. Axis also released documentation for their low-level API called "VAPIX" which builds on the open standards of HTTP and RTSP. This open architecture was intended to encourage third-party software manufacturers to develop compatible management and recording software.
As with digital still cameras, the resolution of IP cameras has increased with time. Megapixel IP CCTV cameras are now available at resolutions of 1, 2, 3, 5 and even 11 megapixels.
Today there are many manufacturers of IP cameras. IP surveillance equipment vendors include both specialized digital imaging equipment manufacturers and larger manufacturers that are active in consumer, broadcast, and security video. Well known makes include Axis, Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Toshiba, Bosch, GE, JVC, D-Link, Linksys/Cisco, Arecont, IQInvision and Digimerge.
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