There are a number of different methods of camera monitoring that can be used for home or professional surveillance, and the method used often depends on the type of camera and other equipment available. Many digital cameras can be connected to a computer, allowing for direct or remote monitoring of the images captured by that camera. A camera can also contain an internal storage device, allowing images to be captured and then viewed later through a computer or other hardware connection. More elaborate camera systems can also allow camera monitoring of multiple cameras connected to a single system, such as a closed circuit television (CCTV) system.
Camera monitoring typically refers to ways in which a person can view or monitor images captured by a camera. Digital cameras are often used for security and surveillance purposes, and can be connected to a computer or network through wireless or wired connections. This allows for monitoring of images captured by such cameras by someone at a particular computer terminal or anyone at a computer connected to the network. Some systems can even allow remote camera monitoring of images captured by the system through a large network, such as the Internet.
Other cameras may require more direct camera monitoring, and this is especially true of concealed cameras used for surveillance. These devices are often hidden within another object, which can make it impossible for such cameras to connect to a network while in use, though they often include internal storage for captured images. After use, however, these cameras can be connected to a computer to allow someone to view images captured on the storage device. This type of camera monitoring is less direct, but can be effective in certain circumstances and makes it easy to save images captured on such a camera for future use.
There are also elaborate security and surveillance systems that allow a number of different cameras to all be monitored and viewed simultaneously. CCTV systems, for example, typically use multiple cameras connected to a single system, which can be viewed at a bank of monitors. Newer systems can achieve a similar form of camera monitoring, though they are usually viewable through a computer system and may utilize network or remote camera monitoring as well. These systems can combine the best aspects of other systems, by simultaneously recording data for backup while also displaying the images being captured in real time.
