Basic needs and requirements for streaming video over the internet ...by Camsecure

Watching cameras over the internet is a fascinating pastime. Whether you are using them for security, baby minding, watching construction
progress....what ever the reason it becomes very usefull and absorbing. Of course a few basic criteria must be met in order to achieve this and
these criteria depend on how the camera images are to be transmitted and viewed. So here is a list of methods and options you need to be aware
of before you embark on this fascinating process.

FTP Method This is the most basic method of viewing remote cameras. Every so many seconds, minutes, hours or even days, a static image is
taken from the webcam and uploaded using File Transfer Protocol to the server hosting your website. When viewers log on to your web page they
see the static image and can see it update according to the frequency you have set for the upload e.g. every 60 seconds. Imagesc can be uploaded
purely according to time intervals or when movement is detected and these images can also be emailed. Using motion detection combined with
email can form a usefull security system. Almost all Webcam software and most IP camera's and webserver's incorporate FTP alongside their
image streaming methods. This is a slow update option and does not produce moving video but can be usefull for very slow connections or in
situations where only a dial up service is available i.e. no broadband. There are no special requirements for FTP other than some kind of internet
connection.

Streaming Video This is the ideal method where you get fast image updates of anything up to 30FPS (frames per second) giving near real time
reproduction. For these modes of image transfer you really need a broadband connection and remember its not your download speed that will
ultimately determine the update speed of your images, its the upload speed which is always much lowwer than the download speed. There are a
few different methods for streaming live video and you should choose according to what you want to achieve. Which ever method you choose you
will have to make sure that you and any potential viewers have the correct software, plug ins, add ons etc. installed in order to view the stream. Any
streaming media needs a player and streaming your webcams is no different.

Media software and drivers you may need include: Macromedia Flash plugin, JAVA, Windows Media Player and plugin, Real player, some streaming software and devices
may also require Active X controls to be installed or even their own player. If they do then you will usually be prompted to install them prior to viewing and they will
automatically down load and install very quickly. You will only have to do this once for any player. You should make potential viewers aware that it is safe to install these
plugins.

Windows Media streaming is a very good way to stream video as it provides great video and audio at up to 30FPS. There is always a slight delay between what is broadcast
and what is seen as the video is buffered to help keep the stream constant. A typical delay would be about 20 seconds but could be up to a minute. Windows media works
well with Internet Explorer and Firefox provided the correct plugins are used. Video can also be streamed from a windows media type encoder (or software doing the same) to
a Real player either stand alone or embedded so this method is very versatile.

JAVA can provide very good streaming results and will work across most browsers and will also work on the Mac range of computers. Its not as fast as Windows Media but
still can produce very good results with no delay.

Active X Methods also produce fast reliable video streams. Many of the lower priced IP cameras use this method and provide the plugins required to make them operate
correctly.

FLASH VIDEO Relatively new, this streams video to a Flash player embedded in the web page, similar to an embeded Windows Media player.

Remember that you or anyone wishing to view your cameras must have the correct settings in their browser e.g. JAVA enabled and also the correct media player and flash
software must be installed to allow viewing of the media stream. You will usually receive a prompt to install these plugins when you attempt to view the stream without them.

Finally Remember that you will not be able to view your stream as if you were at a different location i.e. by typing in your internet access address. As you are already inside
this address you cant access it as if you were outside it. Once your ports have been forwarded etc. to test its all working you will either have to contact a friend to check it out
or go to a different location and see if you can remotely access your camera's to prove they are worling on the internet. Its like a letterbox. When your inside your house, you
cant expect to be able to post letters through it to yourself.....you have to go outside and do it.

Once you have decided on what quality, speed, format etc. you want to display on your website, move on to the next section and learn about making your computer visible on
the internet and how to forward the necessary ports etc.