IP cameras are video surveillance cameras that utilize Internet Protocol to transmit image data and control signals over a normal Ethernet (network) 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 network video recorder (NVR) to form a video surveillance system. Typically a NVR is a software based video recording and management application that runs on a PC or server.
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.
Read the Wikipedia entry on “IP Video Surveillance”