Video management:
Monitoring & recording
Video management of a network video system includes video monitoring, which can be conducted from a Web browser or specific video management software. Video recording can be conducted from video management software installed on a PC or through the use of a Network Video Recorder (NVR), which is a hardware box with pre-installed video management software.
Monitoring using the Web interface
In a network video system, video can be viewed from any point on the network provided there is access to a Web browser. Each camera has a built-in Web server with an IP address, so to view the images on a PC, one simply opens a Web browser and types in the camera's IP address in the Address/Location field:
Monitoring using video management software
Even though video can be viewed directly from a standard Web browser, video management software can be installed if more flexible viewing options, as well as the ability to store and manage video, are required. A wide variety of software solutions exist on the market, which range from independent solutions for a single PC, to advanced client/server-based software providing support for multiple simultaneous users. Common functionality includes video monitoring, event management functions and alerts to alarm events via siren or e-mail for instance. See Video management software from Axis and its ADP partners.
Example from AXIS Camera Station
Recording network video
There are several ways to record network video.
For simple recordings, the network camera's built-in functionality can be used to record images or video based on scheduled or triggered events. These images are then uploaded to an FTP server or to the hard drive of a computer.
A dedicated Networked Video Recorder (NVR) can be used to gather data streams from remote network cameras and video servers and store them on a hard disk. An NVR can be a standard networked PC or a dedicated video-recording hard disk server with a software application.
For advanced recording and event management, video management software serves as the core of professional video surveillance systems. The software is installed on a PC and can be an independent solution or a client/server-based application for multiple simultaneous users. From the software interface, operators can, for example, record video continuously, on schedule, on alarm and/or on motion detection or search for recorded events.
