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Avideo server is a computer-based device that is dedicated to delivering video. Video servers are used in a number of applications, and often have additional functions and capabilities that address the needs of particular applications. For example, video servers used in security, surveillance and inspection applications typically are designed to capture video from one or more cameras and deliver the video via a computer network. In video production and broadcast applications, a video server may have the ability to record and play recorded video, and to deliver many video streams simultaneously.
In TVbroadcast industries, a server is a device used to store broadcast quality images and allows several users to edit stories using the images they contain simultaneously.
The video server can be used in a number of contexts, some of which include:
A professional-grade video server performs recording, storage, andplayout of multiple video streams without any degradation of the video signal.Broadcast quality video servers often store hundreds of hours of compressed audio and video (in differentcodecs), play out multiple and synchronised simultaneous streams of video by, and offer quality interfaces such asSDI for digital video and XLR for balanced analog audio,AES/EBU digital audio and alsoTime Code. Agenlock input is usually provided to provide a means of synchronizing with the house reference clock, thereby avoiding the need fortimebase correction orframe synchronizers.
Video servers usually offer some type of control interface allowing them to be driven bybroadcast automation systems that incorporate sophisticatedbroadcast programming applications. Popular protocols includeVDCP and the9-Pin Protocol.
They can optionally allowdirect to disk recording using the samecodec that is used in variouspost-productionvideo editing software packages to prevent any wasted time intranscoding.
Typically, a video server can do the following:
Generally, they have several bi directional channels (record and ingest) for video and audio. A perfect synchronisation is necessary between those channels to manage the feeds.
In some surveillance and inspection applications, IP video servers are employed which convertanalog video signals intoIP video streams. These IP video servers can stream digitized video over IP networks in the same way that anIP camera can. Because an IP Video server uses IP protocols, it can stream video over any IP-compatible network, including via a modem for access over a phone orISDN connection. With the use of a video server attached to an analog camera, the video from an existingsurveillance system can be converted 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. Video servers are essentially transmission/ telemetry / monitoring devices. 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 anISP (internet service provider) may be required.
Phone apps that send direct security video feed to smartphones from security video servers are another recent security video server application innovation. This allows smartphone users to view security video server feed from anywhere they can use their smartphone.[1]