These are special components added inside PC's. Software provided with video capture boards allow user functions to be performed. CCTV cameras are connected to ports on the capture board. Cameras images are digitized and processed by the board, computer and related software, displayed on the computer monitor and recorded on the computer hard disk.

With additional components, video capture cards can also function as:

An alarm monitor (Alarm Systems or devices such as motion detectors can input alarm signals which trigger camera recording and send the recordings to remote computers or notify personnel by telephone/pager).

A video motion detector (Recording is triggered by motion in any camera's field of view).

A remote video monitor (Users at other locations connect to the local Video Capture System and view real-time or recorded camera images, control cameras in real-time and record remotely. Remote access may be made via Internet).