Video server
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A video server is a computer based device (also called a 'host') dedicated to delivering video online. Unlike PCs or Macs, both being multi-application devices, a video server is designed for one purpose; provisioning video. A professional grade video server records, stores, and plays back multiple streams of video without any degradation in the video signal. Broadcast quality video servers often store hundreds of hours of MPEG-2 compressed video, play out three or more simultaneous streams of video, and offer quality interfaces such as SDI for digital video and XLR for balanced audio.
The video server can be used in a number contexts, some of which include:
- News: providing short news video clips as part of a news website (such as CNN).
- Instruction: delivering course material in video format.
- Public Access: delivering city specific information to residents over a cable system.
- Surveillance: deliver real-time video images of protected sites.
- Entertainment: deliver film trailers or music videos.
and many more.
In the surveillance context, a video server allows the conversion of any analog camera into a fully functional IP camera. It can stream digitised video over an office network in the same way that current IP cameras do. Video servers can also be connected via a modem for access over a phone or ISDN connection. With the use of a video server attached to an analog camera, all elements of an existing surveillance system can be upgraded and networked into a new IP surveillance system.
In the video security industry a video server is a device to which one or more video sources can be attached. Video servers are used to give existing analog systems network connectivity. Connecting an analog camera to a video server also allows you to take advantage of technologies that may not be available in network cameras. Viewing is done using a web browser or in some cases supplied software. These products also allow the upload of images to the internet or direct viewing from the internet. In order to upload to the internet an account with an ISP (internet service provider) may be required. Contact your service provider regarding FTP (file transfer protocol) and static IP requirements. There are also video servers that do not require static IP.
In the TV broadcast industry, a server is a used to store broadcast quality images and allows several users to edit stories using the images they contain simultaneously.
