• Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion. Human eye is able to distinguish approximately 20 images per second.

• Thus, when more than 20 images are displayed per second, it is possible to mislead the eye and create the illusion of an animated image. The flow of a video is characterized by the number of images per second , expressed in FPS (Frames per second).

• Video is a medium of communication that delivers more information per second than any other element of multimedia.

• Nowadays, a lot of video we see on TV and in movies has a digital component. For example, many of the special effects that you see in movies are digitally generated using the computer.

• Video digitizing is the process of capturing, converting and storing video images for use by computer.

• Digital video camcorders have recently become popular, providing quality price, but even digital video camcorders initially store the data on magnetic tapes. All of these media are vulnerable to physical decay.

• There are clear advantages in transferring video to a computer, including easier presentation on the Internet, distribution on DVD or CD, and consolidation from multiple physical formats.

• To capture (transfer to computer) video from a digital video camcorder, the main requirements are the proper cable and a video editing application. Digitization from an analog format requires analog-to-digital conversion, preferably using video capture card/board.

• Video capture board/card is an expansion card that provides inputs and outputs for analog and digital video. It is used to link video cameras, camcorders and tape decks to the computer for editing.

• Video is especially complex multimedia format, requiring the synchronization of series of still images with a soundtrack.

• Digitization of video requires a codec, an algorithm that determines how to encode and (usually) compress the data electronically. The file can then be stored in a number of formats.

Advantages of the digital Video:

• Random Access allowed by the digital format enables us to quickly jump to any point in a movie. In analog format, we have to wind the tape backward and forward to reach a point in the movie.

• Digital format also allows us to quickly cut, paste, or edit video in other ways. It also allows easy addition of special effects.

• It is easy to duplicate digital video without loss of quality. A real-life video can be shot into digital format and edit it without losing the original quality of the film.

• Finally, digital video allows for interactivity. Currently this is possible only with interactive TV.

• Interactive television (iTV) is the integration of traditional television technology and data services. It is a two-way cable system that allows users to interact with it via commands and feedback information. A set-top box is an integral part of an interactive television system. It can be used by the viewer to select the shows that they want to watch, view show schedules and give advanced options like ordering products shown in ads, as well as accessing email and Internet.

• REDUCING LOSS & THEFT: Digital surveillance cameras not only capture and store more video, but the quality of the video feed is far superior as well. Digital video cameras offer high-definition clarity and wider viewing angles. This quality gives businesses the ability to clearly see what is taking place – good and bad – within and around their facility.

• EASIER INSTALLATION, MORE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION, REMOTE MONITORING, COST-EFFECTIVE & SCALABLE.

• Faster Distribution: If you are sending information out via digital video, you can record, and within an hour, send the information via the Internet. This creates a much faster distribution solution, and ease of convenience.

• A digital video recorder (DVR) is an electronic device that records video in a digital format to a disk drive, USB flash drive, SD memory card or other local or networked storage device.

• Power: If you want power with your video, this is the way to do it. This digital video opens an entire new world of watching movies and television. From watching and recording on two different channels, stopping a picture and rewinding a television show. All the power is in your hands, and remote.

• Improved management: Management of videos is much easier with DVR. In fact, you can record digital video to DVD and then store your videos, in a much smaller space.