I've never worked on the field of IP Cameras, so I am not sure where to start. I am thinking of a project where I can connect a city's cameras that are linked from local businesses like convenience stores, banks, schools, etc.
I have been a software developer for many years and have never tackled this problem space and would like to but don't know where to start. Here are some assumptions I am thinking: the IP cameras are from different vendors and thus thinking different platforms (unix, windows, embedded?). Is there any way to 'encode?' these camera feeds so I can display through a web browser?
If someone could direct me to some articles, books, URL Links, etc. regarding how to work with IP Cameras, that would be great.