If the idea of remotely controlling camera surveillance excites you, you may want to check out the VP-200 from Vivid Picture On Network (VPON). This mini Web server retrieves picture and video feeds from up to six remote cameras, compresses the video, and then posts it to a Website where any number of individuals using a standard Web browser can view it. If you would like the video content secured, it also supports up to 16 user names and passwords for log in authentication.

The VP-200 can send M-JPEG, JPEG, and H.263 video through an Internet, intranet, or dial-up modem connection. Of course, transmission speeds will vary with your connection, but typically you can expect three 320 x 240 frames per second through a 56k dial up connection, or up to 10 frames per second via an Ethernet connection. For your physical connections, the VP-200 is well-equipped to work with cameras and networks, with six separate video outputs and inputs, a 10BaseT Ethernet connection, and two RS-232 serial ports.

All of this impressive imaging technology runs on a 32-bit CPU, and you'll have about 2 MB of flash and 16 MB DRAM to work with for storing your images. The VP-200 supports TCP/IP, PPP, and HTTP networking protocols. If you would like to actually be able to control those remote cameras through your network, you're in luck. The VP-200 will allow you to make your camera zoom-in, pan, or tilt, so you can get just the images that you want.

The VP-200 Web server measures 11.97 x 6.5 x 2.17 inches and weighs 3.8 lbs. The video viewer supports Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or Netscape Communicator 4.0 or later.

Pricing and Availability

The VP-200 camera is currently available in Taiwan.

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