Web-camerasfor easy SurveillanceHome > Internet Surveillance > Web Cameras
Web-cameras also called Web Cams, web-cams or Webcams are small cameras capable of being connected to the Internet, whose trademark is www that stands for World Wide Web. Although high-end Web-cameras can be found in the market, most usually the name "Webcam" is used to describe low-resolution, inexpensive digital video cameras. Try an exceptional low cost Home Surveillance Solution! The differences are nowadays blurred between digital cameras and video cameras in that most of modern digital cameras can take also short video clips including sound and voice. Analog cameras of the types described for CCTV (Closed Circuit TeleVision) can also be used as Web-cameras if proper hardware is used. See also Fundamental Concepts. The difference to keep in mind is that for analog cameras a video grabber or video capture card must be used to digitize the image as already explained elsewhere. (See Video Recording). In any case the connection is performed by a modem (modulator-demodulator), a sort of telephone used to transfer the (digital) data stream through suitable network lines. In certain cases transmission is done via radio through communication satellites. Web-cameras, whatever the type, are connected through a PC (Personal Computer), (or directly if the hardware is included in the camera), to a web server, the kind of device that is generally located at a certain web hub of the Internet Service Provider or ISP. The server task is to supervise the actual transfer of data to the physical piece of hardware where the image files are saved, to be retrieved on demand. The situation is similar to that described in another of our pages on IP Camera. Different instruments and their technology command a certain speed of transfer in bytes per second (the term kilobytes means a thousand bytes, Megabytes means a million bytes, Gigabytes means 1000 Megabytes). The larger the number, the easier and quicker it is to transfer the mass of data included in a video film. If the available speed of data transfer falls short of the quantity of data provided, then the film view of the receiver is interrupted by intervals during which the system is busy buffering or accumulating data in a way that will consent resuming film transmission for a new period of time. Another way to express this is by introducing the term bandwidth, which, although originally having different meanings, is used as a synonym for data transfer rate to describe channel capacity or network throughput. The first of active Web cameras, as reported in the history of Internet activities, was established in 1991 in the computer science department of Cambridge University. Computer screens connected to it displayed whatever happened at the coffee pot of the Trojan Room. The historic connection was eventually discontinued in 2001. Web-cameras spread quickly as people enjoyed showing off and viewing friends and correspondents on the Internet. Rapid progress was assured by multiplication of available hardware and development of software. Public entities established Web-cameras in typical spots on the globe, enabling views of real time still images, automatically updated every few seconds. Known squares or road crossings in large cities, volcano calderas, or other remarkable emplacements are among the available views. Among others, the following websites display such views: http://www.earthcam.com/ http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/ http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm Regarding the main subjects of this website, Web-cameras can be installed for Surveillance of selected spots, enabling live Internet transmission of sequences of images (still snapshots taken at fixed time intervals) or of video streams. The other useful application of Web cameras likely to be of interest to our readers is that providing Video Conference capability using inexpensive equipment. What is needed for setting up working Web-cameras? A simple setup would consist of a digital camera attached to a computer, typically through the USB port. A suitable software, to be selected among the many that are available for download at no cost or for a modest amount, permits to obtain snapshots at fixed preset intervals. Enter "webcam software" in any search window. As already mentioned, stand alone Web-cameras (without PC) exist that include all functionality and software needed for direct connection to the Internet. Then the images may be turned into a compressed JPEG file and uploaded to a web server Internet address, using a software called File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Once saved they are available to anyone typing that address in the browser. Security provisions can be implemented to permit viewing to authorized individuals only. For transmitting streaming video, preferably at a rate of 30 frames per second, one would need a high speed connection to the Internet. Commercially available services offer to maintain Web-cameras images. Webcam Software may come complete with Web-based image access modules. All included, setting up a basic Webcam is quite easy and it can be fun. It may be simple and inexpensive to explore what can be done with a Webcam. If installed with Surveillance in mind Web-cameras systems can control definite sites around the house and provide security. Monitoring home from a distance and sharing images via the Web are only an example of what can be done with a Webcam. Additional capabilities and features may be offered with certain Web-cameras. Video-conferencing sessions based on Web-cameras can be organized for any purpose with equally equipped partners. See the pages accessible from the following link for a long list of Conclusion For those looking for an inexpensive way to install and operate a limited cost low resolution Surveillance system permitting Home control from a distance over the Internet, the application of Web-cameras technology is recommended. Higher quality more complex system upgrades can be implemented later on, once the basic experience has been acquired with a simple set up. The details of the set up and of the features that can be operated using a certain system depend on the specific selected Webcam and on the attached Software.
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