| Nowadays, there are a number of quality video | | | | Locator) and which will only send signals to |
| surveillance systems on the market. Some are | | | | designated IP addresses (each computer has a |
| fairly traditional and consist of a video camera | | | | unique IP address assigned to it). |
| that's connected to a monitor (it acts as a kind of | | | | The greatest single advantage to an IP |
| special television) by means of a TV cable and | | | | camera-equipped system is that the viewing area |
| that's about it. | | | | being sent by the camera can be sent literally |
| Other systems can be far more complex, which | | | | anywhere in the world where Internet access is |
| is where the ones that feature IP cameras come | | | | available. Consider that a homeowner on vacation |
| in, for these high-tech gizmos have really opened | | | | in Bali could go to a local Internet cafe, log in and |
| up the capabilities of systems equipped with them. | | | | access his camera system way back in Nashua, |
| More commonly, an IP camera is usually just | | | | New Hampshire. |
| referred to as an "Internet camera." | | | | This is truly an impressive achievement. |
| That's because it makes use of the same | | | | Keep in mind that an IP camera system, by its |
| Internet protocols to send and receive information | | | | computer-based nature and the fact that it |
| that most anything else related to the net does. | | | | depends on networks, can be more technologically |
| The first of these cameras was introduced back | | | | complex to set up and then maintain. It also |
| in 1996, and it had a Linux-based computer inside | | | | depends on the strength and reliability of the |
| the camera. Linux is what's called "open source" | | | | Internet network through which it'll be sending its |
| software that's used in free operating systems | | | | data (digital, not analog and totally through the |
| (you use Linux instead of Windows, for instance). | | | | Internet, not via means of broadcast). |
| The "computer" in the camera back then was | | | | In the grand scheme of things, though, these are |
| small enough and it was intended and operated | | | | minor quibbles. |
| solely for the purpose of taking the images | | | | A prospective purchaser of one of these |
| captured by the camera and sending them along | | | | systems should look at what sort of software |
| an Internet pathway (network) to a designated | | | | (open source, like Linux, or more traditional, like |
| "IP address," where it would be decrypted and | | | | Windows) the IP camera will be providing and |
| the reconverted by into a usable image. | | | | whether or not they have the ability to maneuver |
| It sounds much more complex than it really is. | | | | around in cyberspace, because IP camera |
| Most of the IP cameras that are used in a | | | | systems require a little bit more familiarity with |
| surveillance system come with proprietary | | | | Internet protocols than just booting up a |
| software which their owners can install on their | | | | computer and clicking on a web browser. |
| computers and which will allow only them to | | | | Other than that -- and a higher cost than more |
| access the images being sent across the Internet. | | | | traditional systems -- there's not much to dislike |
| It's even possible to pull up the images using a | | | | about them so it is worth investigating as a |
| standard Web browser because each camera can | | | | security option today. |
| be assigned its own URL (Universal Resource | | | | |