IP Camera

An Internet protocol camera , or IP camera , is a type of digital video camera commonly employed for surveillance , and which, unlike analog closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras , can send and receive data via a computer network and the Internet . Although most cameras that do this are webcams , the term "IP camera" or "netcam" is usually applied only to those used for surveillance .

There are two kinds of IP cameras :

Centralized IP cameras , which require a central network video recorder (NVR) to handle the recording , video and alarm management .
Decentralized IP cameras , which do not require a central NVR , as the cameras have recording function built-in and can thus record directly to any standard storage media , such as SD cards , NAS (network-attached storage) or a PC/server .

It's become incredibly easy to check in on your young child and her nanny from your desk at work -- or to monitor your business from your laptop at home , all in real time . Internet cameras allow you to connect to the internet via a broadband network and remotely view live video from any web browser anywhere in the world. Once your system is set up, the only requirement is Internet access. You can even monitor multiple video cameras or DVRs from your tablet or Smartphone.

Some internet cameras require a physical cable connection, others are wireless and transmit their data via radio frequency (RF) signals or over a local WiFi network.Think of internet cameras as mini computers that happen to have sophisticated optics built in. They come with their own software and need to be configured to a network in order to function. The network configuration is a relatively simple process for many devices; generally set up is no more complex than configuring a Wi-Fi network.tag heuer replica While some models require a good working knowledge of Internet technology to get them up and running, that's becoming more the exception than the rule. Many cameras now come with their own apps, which make recording and viewing video on the web even easier.

These versatile devices come in a number of "form factors." Many look like traditional security cameras, but consumers have demanded hidden cameras (also known as nanny cams ) with webcam capability -- and the market has responded. Internet cams are now discreetly hidden in a wide variety of form factors, from a Bluetooth speaker, to a smoke detector to an air freshener.