The term denotes a software application designed to facilitate remote viewing and control of camera feeds. Often employed in security, surveillance, and monitoring contexts, these applications enable users to access and manage video streams from various camera devices via a network connection. A typical use case involves homeowners using such an application to monitor their property remotely through internet-connected security cameras.
Such applications offer considerable advantages, including enhanced security through real-time monitoring capabilities, increased convenience by providing remote access from various devices, and potential cost savings by consolidating monitoring functionalities. Historically, these systems evolved from simple video transmission setups to sophisticated platforms offering features like motion detection, cloud storage, and two-way audio communication, driven by advancements in network technology and video compression algorithms.