IP is an acronym that stands for : "Internet Protocol". It is called IP because its signals are digitized, compacted and then streamed through the internet. IP cameras have built in web server which gives a direct way of network access. Thus they are referred to as network and internet cameras. Generally speaking, IP security camera is a combination of the security of video surveillance with the flexibility of the Internet.

What does distinguish IP security camera from analog camera? Through the chain of time, digital cameras became less expensive and people starts to replace the tubes of analog camera with the digital Charged Coupled Devices (CCDs) - a device transfers charge packets from one transistor to another. In addition, the increasing availability of LANs that the camera get benefit from adds another feature for its wide spread. Another superior characteristic of IP cameras over analog is the high-quality images and its ability to send digital video signals directly from the camera source. On the other hand, its counterpart uses video recorder or digital video recorder to send the signals. And most importantly is the high resolution of IP security camera that there is no restriction for the resolutions.

Because of built in network, IP cameras are more secure and more flexible in design. They can also broadcast using available network software in the home or business. Amazingly, network cameras have analog ports, which help receiving both analog and digital video feeds. For those cameras, which do not have analog ports, there are many network tools to send out an analog feeds. It is also characterized by digitized signals that make storage and saving easier. Other features commonly found in IP cameras are their ability to capture still photos and availability in different sizes.

Nowadays, IP cameras are tend to be small sizes to fit the needs of surveillance and discretion.
Though internet is a noticeable feature in the camera, it also can be a drawback, that is, live streaming from the internet requires large amounts of bandwidth and higher-speed connections. And because of the technology progress, these cameras need more built in technology that would reduce system costs, shorten the list manufacturers, and illuminate the lack of standards, and thus each IP camera would use different programming interface or many encoding videos. In addition, cheap IP cameras can not be viewed by any browser except the Internet Explorer.

What makes the captured images clearer and more detailed? What really determines your high-quality image details is the resolution; therefore, taking care of your IP camera resolution is very important. It is important to know that the resolution by itself is not the only criterion for having a high-quality image, there are other important factors to keep in mind such as: Proper lighting, Lens quality, Steadiness of camera, Auto-focus on the proper subject, proper shutter speed for moving or stationary subject, clean equipment. The resolution of your network camera also depends on your purpose of picking this picture and the size of it. For example, if you want to print the photo you picked, you need to shoot higher resolution while using the captured photo in the e-mail, requires you to use lower resolution.

What are the applications of the IP security cameras? The primary use of IP cameras is security. Their flexibility allows people from different fields to use it in other needs than security. Tourist locations and zoos, for example, use remote cameras to transmit beautiful and attractive scenes and shots for their websites.

Contractors use it for monitoring the progress of the work and co-worker productivity. In fact, one of the most significant IP cameras applications is its capability to troubleshoot remotely, so it saves the companies' time and money, where experts do not have to travel for diagnosing and solving the problems.