| Title Page | Introduction | Current Use | Ethical & social implications | Future use | Reference |
As accessibility to the World Wide Web has grown, so has the deployment of IP security cameras. Security cameras are used to record daily activities for safety and loss prevention reasons, and some IP security cameras are being used as an intercom and door control. Traditional systems required a cable to be wired to each camera location from a central digital video recorder (DVR). With network connectivity the length of cables are minimal while the scope of reach of network IP cameras are global.
IP cameras are a digital device that means they can have a higher resolution of video footage than the traditional analog cameras and DVR’s. The DVR would compress the analog image into a common international format (CIF) of 320x240 lines of resolution. The IP cameras can have mega pixel resolution, which can be as much as 20 or more times the detail of CIF. Having the higher resolution also allows for fewer cameras to be installed, which also keeps costs comparable to a traditional camera system. When end users are researching a camera system to purchase a higher resolution system will usually be purchased especially if the cost is similar to a traditional camera system.
IP Cameras are being used for security and business information with video analytics taken from the recorded video. The addition of these video analytics provides business owners with reports on counting people and objects, and tracking and evaluating movements with heat maps. This is another way the security system can repay its costs even quicker, as the business owner can maximize his personal based on the busiest hours.
Video monitoring is also on the rise due to IP cameras. Now numerous users can access a single camera via an IP address. Therefore should a crime occur, real time response is possible by the video-monitoring company. Police can be dispatched sooner, alarms can occur on the property to chase the criminal, and system owners can be notified immediately. IP camera systems also allow the police and other first responders to receive real time updates with their mobile devices to monitor suspects, victims, and personal during life threating situations.