Abstract: A video transmission system typically includes a video server adapted to receive video data from one or more video cameras. In some instance, the video server may be operable to buffer the video data and transmit the video data across a network to various client computing devices. In an improved video transmission system of the present invention, the client computing devices may be further configured to retransmit video data across the network to other client computing devices, thereby reducing the bandwidth and computing load placed on the video server.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the efficiency of video compression is based on the characteristics of the video to be stored. Operating characteristics of the video capture device, as well as content characteristics of the video signal to be compressed, are utilized to control various processes that manipulate the video signal to maintain areas of interest in high quality, while lowering the amount of processing and storage dedicated to areas of low interest. The processes and encoding methods may also be adjusted based on these operating characteristics and content characteristics, as well as inputs from additional sensors or devices.