Internet Protocol cameras, also called IP cameras or network cameras, provide digital video surveillance by sending and receiving footage over the internet or local area network (LAN). Like their name suggests, IP cameras connect to a network through WiFi or a Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable. They’re often used with network video recorders (NVRs) and sometimes digital video recorders (DVRs), making them a common solution for enterprise video surveillance. In the modern market, many different types of IP cameras are produced for you to choose from such as HD IP Camera, AI IP Camera, PTZ IP Camera, etc. and other cameras like Full Color Camera and Analog Camera.

When choosing an IP camera, there are many different features you have to pay attention to.

Cloud and Built-In Storage: Storage space is a huge consideration when surveying IP cameras. By law, many companies are required to retain security footage for a specific amount of time depending on their industry and local mandates. Most surveillance systems will transmit video data onto cloud storage, a Solid-State Drive (SSD), or a Hard Disk Drive (HDD). Advanced solutions store footage locally on an SSD or HDD while also backing it up in the cloud; these “hybrid cloud” security systems are considered safer and more reliable than systems that rely on just one method.

PoE Capabilities: IP cameras that can be powered over a PoE connection eliminate the risk and cost of running electrical wire. Compared to purely wireless cameras, PoE IP cameras tend to have more stable data transmission and less likely to encounter interference from nearby devices.

Video Data Encryption: How secure an IP camera is depends on its level of data encryption and network security. Encryption is a way to conceal information by scrambling data so that only authorized parties can decode it. Since IP cameras are often targeted in IoT breaches, utilizing modern security standards is key to prevent hackers from lifting company information and even disabling whole systems. There are two states of encryption, at rest and in transit.

At Rest Encryption: Data encrypted “at rest” means data is protected while on the camera. RSA and AES are two examples of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) encryption standards, which ensure that anyone who accesses video data won’t be able to extract it from onboard storage.

In Transit Encryption: Data encrypted “in transit” means data is protected while it’s traveling over the network, or being transferred from local to cloud storage. Secure systems encrypt data in transit using HTTPS/SSL over Port 443, and only make outbound connections to dedicated cloud services.

Another equipment similar to camera is DVR. A DVR (digital video recorder) is a device or service used for recording and storing videos. Learn more about what a DVR is to help determine if you need one for your TV. DVRs became popular in the late 1990s with the introduction of TiVo. Watching stored video allows you to rewind and fast forward at will. If you are watching live TV, you can pause and pick up where you left off. The DVR also has many different specifications like 4CH DVR, 8CH DVR, 16CH DVR, etc.

DVRs can be integrated into the set-top box supplied by your cable or satellite provider, but they are also sold as standalone units. DVR units you buy store videos on a hard drive, but cloud DVR services keep your recordings on a remote server owned by the service provider. You can adjust the number of hours you can store on a DVR by lowering the video quality settings.

DVRs are primarily used to record movies and TV shows so you can watch them later. You can typically set up your DVR to record specific shows or events when they air. If you have a favorite show, you can have it automatically record only new episodes and delete old ones. DVRs with multiple tuners built-in can even record multiple channels simultaneously.

The DVR sets aside buffer space on the hard drive so it can constantly record live TV. This makes it possible to pause and rewind live broadcasts. If you miss the beginning of a show, you can start from the beginning and skip through commercials.

Aside from recording TV, there are also DVRs for recording live camera feeds. These devices are typically used as part of security systems to store surveillance footage.