Zyxel has introduced one of the oddest, but most interesting twists in connecting a Webcam to the Internet: their V750W has a phone number attached.

The camera connects to a network via Wi-Fi, and supports the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) protocol used primarily for VoIP and voice chats.The idea isn’t as strange as it sounds initially. SIP can be used to tunnel through otherwise difficult to reach network connections, and thus you can control the cameras many features via a handset or soft phone, where Web-based management might not be available.

Zyxel doesn’t explain well how you would adjust the zoom, pan, and tilt without being able to view the camera’s current image–that relies on a Web connection to wherever the camera is proxying its video, not a direct connection to the camera.The camera also has motion detection, infrared LEDs, and other tools for automated monitoring. The camera can place a call when it feels the situation warrants it–when your various triggers for action are engaged.Pricing wasn’t announced, and the camera won’t be sold at retail, but will rather be available through telecom, cable, and VoIP providers.