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What is a Network
Camera?
 A
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.
A network camera has its own IP address. It is connected to the
network and has a built-in web server, FTP server, FTP client,
e-mail client, alarm management, programmability, and much more. A
network camera does not need to be connected to a PC; it operates
independently and can be placed wherever there is an IP network
connection. A Web camera, on the other hand, requires connection to
a PC via a USB or IEEE1394 port and a PC to operate.
 In
addition to video, a network camera also includes other
functionalities and information being transported over the same
network connection, i.e. video motion detection, audio, digital
inputs and outputs (which can be used, for example, to trigger
alarms or turn on lights), serial port(s) for serial data or control
of pan/tilt/zoom mechanisms. Image buffers within a network camera
can also save and send images that were collected before an alarm
occurred.
Comparing a network and an analog camera
 In
recent years, network camera technology has caught up to the analog
camera and now meets the same requirements and specifications.
Network cameras even surpass the performance of analog cameras, by
offering a number of advanced functions.
In
short, an analog camera is a one-directional signal carrier which
terminates at the DVR and operator level, whereas a network camera
is fully bi-directional, and integrates with and drives the rest of
the system to a high degree in a distributed and scalable
environment. A network camera communicates with several applications
in parallel, to perform various tasks, such as detecting motion or
sending different streams of video.
 Meeting today’s
video surveillance challenges
The video surveillance market is booming,
driven by increased public and private security
concerns, as well as a technology shift.
The transition to network video is a reality
as customers take advantage of flexible, industry
standard systems for security and
video surveillance. As security management
over the IP network expands and intelligence
capabilities move out to network cameras,
systems can scale much more easily. This
move to open systems empowers a much
more productive and cost-effective means of
surveillance than was ever possible.
For the security manager, the shift to network video creates new
opportunities where digital
technology can be put to use to deliver maximum value.
 Superior image quality
Image quality is clearly one of the most important
features of any camera, if not the most important.
Superior image quality enables the user to more closely
follow details and changes in images, making for better
and faster decisions to more effectively safeguard
people and property. It also ensures greater accuracy for automated analysis and alarm tools. Axis network
cameras provide high-quality video images, and megapixel
network cameras are available to provide even
more image details.
 Remote accessibility
With network video, users can access real-time video
at any time from any authorized computer anywhere.
Axis network video products provide an easy way to
capture and distribute high quality video over any kind
of IP network or the Internet. The video can be stored
at remote locations for convenience and security, and
the information can be transported over the LAN or
Internet.
Easy, future-proof integration
There are almost no limitations as to where a network
video product can be placed. Axis network video has
the capacity to provide a high level of integration with
other equipment and functions, making it a continually
developing system. A fully integrated Axis network video
system can be used for a multitude of applications
simultaneously: for instance, access control, building
management, point-of-sales systems, ATMs, as well as
fire, intruder and visitor management.
 Scalability and flexibility
An Axis network video system can be expanded by
adding more network cameras. You can choose exactly
what you need today, and scale the system at any time
to meet your growing needs. New technologies, additional
cameras, and extra storage capacity can all be
easily added as required, thanks to strict adherence to
industry standards.
Cost-effectiveness
Based on open standards, Axis network video products
run on IP networks. Using standard PC server hardware
rather than proprietary equipment such as DVRs
radically reduces management and equipment costs,
particularly for larger systems where storage and servers
are a significant portion of the total solution cost.
Additional cost savings come from the infrastructure
used. IP-based networks such as LANs and the Internet
can be leveraged for other applications across the
organization.
 Distributed intelligence
These days, a massive amount video is being recorded,
but never watched or reviewed due to lack of time. As
a result, events and activities are missed, and suspicious
behaviors remain unnoticed. With network video,
intelligence has been brought into the camera itself.
Network cameras can have built-in video motion detection
and alarm management so the camera decides
when to send video, at what frame rate and resolution,
and when to alert a specific operator. Other unique
features include audio detection and active tampering
alarm.
The IP Way:
How it works
Protecting existing CCTV investments
Significant investments in analog CCTV systems may
have already been made. The technology shift to network
video does not, however, mean that existing analog
CCTV investments have to be discarded. With an
Axis network video solution, you can integrate your
existing analog system into an IP-based solution. The
solution enables you to take advantage of numerous
functionalities such as remote pan/tilt/zoom, Power
over Ethernet, audio, video motion detection, while
meeting user requirements for image quality, recording
capabilities, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
 Leveraging IT investments and achieving a
lower total cost of ownership
The majority of businesses now have high-speed, IP based
networks connected to the Internet. Adding an
Axis network video system simply utilizes and extends
the same infrastructure to include video functionality.
Standard IT equipment such as switches, PC servers for
video recording and storage, are used, so existing investments
in IT infrastructure and devices can be leveraged,
ensuring high return on investment.
Axis video encoders and
rack solutions
Axis video encoders make it possible
to move toward a network video
system without having to discard
existing analog equipment. They
connect to analog cameras, digitize
the images and send them over an
IP network, allowing analog cameras
to take advantage of many of
the same benefits as provided by
network cameras.
 A more secure system
Network video offers more ways to secure access to video than can be
provided by an analog CCTV system.
Passwords can be used to limit access, and video can be encrypted
before being sent over the network to make
sure it cannot be viewed or tampered with. The system can also be
set up to authenticate the connection
using encrypted certificates that only accept a specific network
video device, thus eliminating the possibility
of anyone hacking into the system.
 An Axis network video system is able to send video without the need
for a dedicated
physical infrastructure. It uses standard IP networks, such as Local
Area Networks (LANs)
and the Internet, for transporting information, rather than
dedicated point-to-point
cabling, such as that used in analog video systems.
 Easy and cost-effective expansion
A network video system is extremely flexible. Cameras can be moved
freely around the network, and the
system can be expanded by adding more network cameras. This is
easily done regardless of whether the new
cameras are to be placed at the same site, or at a new location
communicating over the Internet.
Progressive scan:
Depicting moving objects clearly
Many network cameras employ progressive scan technology
that better depicts moving objects clearly. This
advanced image capture technology means that the
whole image is captured at one time, thus providing
crystal clear images even with a high degree of motion.
 Power over Ethernet:
Increasing savings and reliability
Not available for analog cameras, Power over Ethernet
(PoE, IEEE 802.3af standard) means that the cameras
get power from a PoE-enabled switch or midspan over
the same standard cable that transmits video. PoE provides
multiple benefits, including reduced installation
costs and flexibility in camera placement. In addition,
cameras can get centralized backup power from the
server room, so in the event of a power failure they will
continue to operate.
 Megapixel resolution:
See what you’ve been missing
A megapixel network camera provides more detail or
can cover larger areas. In addition to the advantage of
depicting more detail with greater pixel density, it can
be used to digitally pan, tilt and zoom, and to create
multi-view video.
Wireless networking:
For full installation flexibility
Sometimes wireless solutions are the best and most
cost-effective option for video surveillance installations.
For example, it is useful in historic buildings,
where the installation of cables would damage the interior,
or within facilities where there is a need to move
cameras to new locations on a regular basis. The technology
can also be used to bridge sites without expensive
ground cabling.
Video compression formats:
H.264, MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG
Video compression formats can be a determining factor
for a video surveillance application. Many Axis network
video products feature advanced real-time video
encoding that can deliver Motion JPEG, MPEG-4 as
well as H.264 video streams. This gives the flexibility to
maximize image quality for recording while reducing
bandwidth and storage needs.
 Intelligent video:
Scalable intelligence at the edge
Intelligent video makes video more manageable for
systems and persons. Applications range from analytics
such as video motion detection and audio detection,
to more advanced systems including camera tampering
detection, people counting, virtual fences, and
vehicle license plate recognition. Building this sort of
analytics into edge devices such as network cameras
has major advantages. An intelligent network camera
is never idle and supports the operator 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. It is constantly on guard, waiting
for an impulse to start recording or sending an alarm to
the operator.
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