Mobile Surveillance – Network Video on Your Cell Phone
Mobile Surveillance
With today’s growing need for applications on the go it was only a matter of time before IP video surveillance joined the fray and allowed for mobile surveillance to occur. IP network cameras and video encoders are now starting to include 3GPP mobile surveillance support which will allow them to be accessed directly from a 3G or Smart Phone cell phone. Even sophisticated IP network video surveillance software allows for a stripped down version to be operated on today’s cell phones granting you with the ability to control multiple cameras at multiple locations no matter where you are currently located. Imagine being on the 2nd floor of a 40 floor hotel and being able to instantly see video from cameras located on the 35th floor while you continue to patrol the 2nd floor hallway. Or imagine being located in the middle of a large city yet still having access to hundreds of cameras located throughout the entire city without needing to visit each location or even a centralized monitoring location. As with all technological devices, proper configuration is required. This article is designed to help you to understand the basics of mobile surveillance and to help point you in the right direction for what you need to be able to achieve mobile surveillance.
What you will need
In order for you to be able to utilize mobile surveillance you will first need a cell phone capable of mobile surveillance. Mobile surveillance capability requirements may vary depending on what functionality your cell phone offers. On a basic level any IP camera or video encoder can be configured to send snapshots to an email account. If your cell phone has Internet and email capabilities then this is easily accomplished. If advanced capabilities such as live video, direct camera control or access to multiple cameras at one time are requirements then you will need a more sophisticated cell phone such as a Smart Phone or 3GPP capable cell phone.
What you will need to configure
If all you require are snapshots to be sent to an email account then you should be able to configure this directly on the IP camera or video encoder responsible for producing the required snapshots. Alternatively you may be able to configure this through the network surveillance monitoring software that you are using. Configuration will also include determining when snapshots are to be sent. Common configuration options include snapshots be sent sequentially based on a predetermined schedule or sending snapshots based on motion triggered events. Motion triggered events can be configured based on the device’s built-in motion detection features. Externally connected devices such as external motion sensors, door triggers or alarms may also be connected directly to an IP camera or video encoder which in turn may be configured as a trigger option for sending snapshots to an email account.
There are IP cameras and video encoders available now that will allow you to configure a 3GPP mobile surveillance video feed for direct access on your cell phone. This video feed can even be configured as a secondary video feed on your IP camera or video encoder device so that a higher quality video feed is still monitored within your network video surveillance software application in addition to your mobile video feed.
If you need mobile access to network video surveillance software then you may need additional software for your cell phone in the form of an application. Yes, to borrow from the now famous iPhone commercials, there is indeed an “app” for that. Mobile surveillance applications can vary depending on the application or mobile device and can include advanced camera control, access to multiple cameras or the ability to view recorded video data. Most device manufacturers or software developers advertise if mobile support is available.
Additional configuration may be required
Before you can access your video surveillance network on the go you will first need to ensure that the devices or software within the surveillance network are accessible via the Internet. This is usually accomplished by configuring Port Forwarding. You will need to ensure that you have forwarded the required network ports for each device or software application you need remote access to in order to allow for surveillance traffic to propagate outside of the local network and onto the Internet where authorized users can then gain access. Port Forwarding is usually configured on the network router or network firewall that bridges the local network to the Internet. There are many resource websites available to assist with Port Forwarding with many sites offering step by step guides for specific network routers and firewalls. Additional configuration on each network device or network video surveillance software application may also be required.
Other configurable devices
Not only IP network cameras, video encoders or network video surveillance software can be configured for remote access. There are other technologies available for older camera applications such as those including analog CCTV camera devices. DVR (Digital Video Recorder) and NVR-Hybrid (Network Video Recorder) technologies also allow for remote access capabilities. Since DVR and NVR-Hybrid solutions operate in relatively the same manner for network communication and access, configuration of these devices should be similar as with more recent network video surveillance devices.
What does the future hold?
Technology is always improving and can quickly change seemingly overnight. Mobile surveillance support has only recently begun to be included with IP network cameras, video encoders and network video surveillance software but will continue to be expanded upon to include more features and advanced capabilities. The convenience of mobile surveillance goes almost without saying but the added benefits of mobile surveillance cannot be overlooked. No longer do individuals need to sit in front of a security monitor or network video recording computer to monitor live or record video. Security force personal, administrators or even general users now have the ability to access live video on the go allowing for immediate response to security risk situations.
Mobile Surveillance Supported Devices at Network Camera Store
Please feel free to review some of the IP cameras and video servers or video encoders that allow for mobile surveillance capabilities.
