IP is an abbreviation for Internet Protocol. IP was developed in the 1970′s as a way for government and university computers to communicate. The fundamental IP protocol has actually changed very little over the past 30 years – a testament to the simplicity and vision of the original design. IP is now the backbone of the global Internet and nearly all data communications.
Advances in computing power and network bandwidth make it possible to compress and transmit digitized video streams over IP networks. So what are the advantages of an IP Video system?
- Access video wherever the network can reach.
Video can be streamed on private networks and the Internet using standard IP protocols. Video can be adjusted to different data rates to accommodate the available bandwidth. Wireless technology can provide remote video transmission in metropolitan and other areas where it is difficult or cost prohibitive to trench or install cable. Standard Ethernet connections can deliver video, provide power and control pan-tilt cameras with a single cable. Intelligent event processing with video can automatically trigger and stream video of interest to a workstation, monitor or PDA with a network connection.
- Leverage IT Infrastructure to reduce costs and improve scale.
Using a common infrastructure for security, telephony and business applications can reduce capital and operational costs. Deploying video security systems on standard networks, Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) servers and storage systems can improve scale and reliability over proprietary and closed DVRs.
- Enhance value with integrated software applications.
A software-based security application that runs on COTS hardware can be a fully integrated security system that includes access control, intrusion, video and fire systems.
- Improve video quality over analog video.
CCTV systems that use analog cameras are limited by the technical constraints that were designed for broadcast video in the 1950′s. Network cameras are not bound by the NTSC and PAL standards that limit resolution and video quality. Digital cameras can support Megapixel resolutions that significantly exceed the 4CIF (.4 Megapixel) resolution available with analog cameras. Many network cameras are built with “progressive scan” image sensors. A progressive scan image eliminates the blurriness that results from moving objects.