IP Camera Streaming: All You Need to Know

An IP camera or Internet Protocol Camera, is a popular type of digital video camera that not only helps in high resolution capture but can easily receive control data and send image data via an IP network. IP camera streaming is getting highly popular around the world due to its various advantages such as high resolution capture, easy installation, robust security, and high-compatibility, to name a few. 

Also, such cameras are popular for their multi-functionality, such as being simple to integrate with diverse applications, systems, and solutions.  The origin of IP camera streaming dates back in 1996, when Axis Communications invented it to take live video streaming to a new level. 

Since that time, it has been getting adopted in diverse sectors – government buildings, industrial sites, traffic intersections, corporate offices, apartment complexes, and the list goes on. But that’s not it. IP camera streaming is no longer just limited to these, but has become widespread for various use cases such as virtual classroom, non-stop streaming of nature and environment, events, and others. 

No matter whether you are from the streaming industry or not, it is important to know the basics about IP camera streaming, along with its advantages, how it works, and more. So, let’s get started!

What Is IP Camera Streaming?

IP camera streaming basically refers to the process of live streaming through your IP camera. This type of streaming basically takes place through the IP camera’s RTSP URL. 

Here RTSP or Real Time Streaming Protocol lets you live stream from your IP camera and allows your viewers to watch it from various devices and platforms. The key functionality of RTSP in IP camera streaming is to pull your live video feed from the IP camera to an NVR (Network Video Recorder). Next we will know in detail, how IP camera streaming actually works. 

Also Read: Demystifying Video Transcoding: All You Need to Know

How Does IP Camera Streaming Work?

One of the main unique factors about IP cameras is that they transmit digital video content over an internet/data connection like WiFi, Ethernet, USB, and others. The unit includes everything needed to send photos over a network. It is connected to the network in the same way that any other network device, such as a printer or scanner, is. It may save footage to an associated memory source, link to another device on the network for storage, or stream captured video to the internet, depending on the type of camera.

An internet camera works in the same way as any other digital camera. Its capacity to compress files and send them over a network is what sets it apart. If a building has a network, the essential equipment for installing network cameras is already in place. A user can utilize a decentralized network camera, which has its own control interface and storage media built in, to add one or more cameras. For deploying multiple network cameras, a centralized network camera, which requires a network video recorder, is highly preferable. An NVR is a program that stores footage from network cameras and allows numerous cameras to be seen at the same time. 

An NVR works similarly to a DVR (Digital Video Recorder), except instead of encoding and processing footage from component cameras, an NVR relies on the cameras to encode their video, storing it and enabling for centralized remote viewing. And this is why CCTV cameras are one of its top use cases.

The NVR software can be installed on a specialized device with its own operating system or on a computer that already exists. One can opt for hybrid systems that accept both IP and analogue inputs. These generally allow analogue cameras, as well as network cameras, to be watched remotely. 

Ethernet cables connect wired networks to a broadband modem or router (RJ45, CAT5, CAT6). These are the quickest and safest way to connect, as they eliminate the possibility of signal interception and interference. A WiFi router is used to transport data to and from a wired modem in wireless networks. They send data at a slower rate than a wired network and are more vulnerable to illegal access, but this can be addressed by encrypting the data.

The convenience of setting up and customizing a wireless network compensates for the reduced security. Cellular network connection is the slowest but it is also the most secure. If the cameras themselves have cellular transmitters, they don’t even need a LAN, therefore there’s almost no setup required. These cameras, on the other hand, can be rather costly, especially when delivering high-definition video.

Advantages of IP Camera Streaming

There are unlimited advantages of IP camera streaming. Here, we have listed out the top advantages of IP camera streaming. 

Simple Video Streaming

One of the top advantages of IP camera streaming is – it simplifies the video streaming at many levels. IP video streaming refers to the compact solution of both camera and encoder and it bypasses the hassles of so many technicalities, encoding, distribution, and managing all the relevant workflows. A quality IP camera video streaming ensures optimum quality along with auto transcoding solution.

Robust Security

Undoubtedly security is a key advantage of IP camera streaming. Encrypted video streaming, impenetrable authentication methods & password protection, specific IP addresses blocking – these are some of the top security solutions that IP cameras are equipped with. Furthermore, it can also let you restrict the permissions of publishing to your server.

Better Quality & Reliability

No wonder that quality plays an important role for any type of video streaming. And IP camera streaming ensures that your viewers can seamlessly stream high quality videos on their devices. And not only that, a quality IP camera streaming ensures optimum bandwidth utilization and lag-free video streaming experience irrespective of the devices or platforms your viewers stream on.

Cost-effective

IP camera streaming is quite cost-effective which makes it affordable for diverse categories of streamers – beginners to advanced. Not only it lets you offer quality video content to your viewers within budget, but also utilizes the PTZ (Pan-tilt-Zoom) functionality of various IP cameras and switches between them to come up with the best possible industry-grade video streaming solution.

To Conclude

IP camera streaming has become more sought-after in recent years, owing to its several advantages, and for being budget-friendly. The above information will help you understand it better and how you can utilize it for your video streaming. However, it is recommended to chalk out your video streaming plan and budget before making a decision.

If you are looking for a competitive live streaming platform, then Muvi Live can be your choice. Not only it offers seamless live streaming solutions irrespective of your viewers’ devices, platforms, or media, but also provides a range of professional live streaming solutions such as built-in scalable CDN, live stream recording, DVR-enabled live stream, video library, and analytics & reports, to name a few. Take a 14-day free trial today to learn more (no credit card needed).