When you are decided that you want to secure your home or business by implementing security cameras, and recording capacity, you must start looking not just for the right video surveillance cameras, but also for the right recorder, video manager, and the effective retrieval and display of the information. On this page we will discuss three types of network camera software. Today, with the emergence of network-attached devices, the types of software that have come to be are: On-camera software, PC software, and smart phone software. Hopefully, when you are done reading, your ability to make the right choice of network camera software, or internet camera software, for your particular security application will be easier to come to.

On-camera software

The modern on-camera software comes from the premise that, since the modern surveillance camera "is the computer" anyways, one may as well install the recording software on the camera, record directly to network attached storage, another computer in disguise, and remove the need for a PC-based camera recording client software, and a possible intermediate point of failure. This concept can make your system more secure by virtue of increasing the reliability and uptime. For an example of the on-camera surveillance software, see this link.

Software for the PC

PC computer is the standard place where network camera software runs traditionally. When the software client is installed on the PC, it has several roles. It controls the camera, it performs image adjustments, it stores and backs up video camera information either on the PCs hard disk or on an external hard disk, or network hard disk, and also of course display the captured information, and manipulate that information to retrieve the pieces that are needed.

Even though most surveillance cameras are shipped with software, that software may be limited in scope, and thrown in on a second thought. That is why there is a strong need for the after-market, independent PC-based surveillance softwares that fill in the missing features that the manufacturers software leaves out. Such features can include:

• Control of camera displays


• Control of PTZ functions


• Control of video enhancements


• Automatic object tracking with PTZ

to name just a few. As for the storage and backup, that can be done either on the hard disks that are attached to the PC or to the NAS, or network attached storage. You can see an example of such PC-based network camera software through this link.

Another important function of PC-based surveillance software is broadcasting of the surveillance video streams securely to the internet, for display on mobile devices, anything from a laptop, netbook, or a smart phone or iPhone.

Software for iPhone/smart phone

Such software is a client software to the previously mentioned PC server broadcasting software. A PC will stream video footage over the broadband wireless internet to the iPhone or smart phone, where this video streams are displayed, cameras are controlled, image is enhanced, and so on. Almost all the functions that are available on the PC software are nowadays enabled through the smart phones as well. In additions, the still images can be captured on the phone for later emailing or special evidence. You can see an example of software that enables remote surveillance through a mobile phone by following this link.

What can you accomplish with such softwares?

Regardless of whether the software resides on-camera, on the PC or the DVR, or on the iPhone or smart phone, the purpose of having capable software on hand wherever you are is clear. By keeping an eye, or ear for that matter, on the pulse of your home, you will be able to better protect your home and family. By keeping a pulse on your business, you will be better able to improve the entire customer experience when shopping in your store. Because sounds can be recorded together with images, the ambience of a store can be captured more accurately to help you plan effective marketing strategies. Needless to say, you will improve earnings, prevent theft, both employee theft and customer theft by having the cams installed and monitored.