Analogue vs. IP CCTV
Technology is forever evolving, and that applies to the world of CCTV too.
When choosing a security solution, you have many choices to consider. The main one being Analogue or Digital cameras. If there is already an analog system, do you simply upgrade or replace everything? If it is a new security system, should they choose analog (AHD/TVI/CVI/CVBS) or a digital IP CCTV security system?
Either way you want to be making an informed decision based on your needs and budget.
What is the difference between Analogue and IP CCTV?
The main difference between analog CCTV and digital IP CCTV is how the video is recorded and delivered. Analog cameras send their signal over a coaxial cable to a DVR (Digital Video Recorder). The DVR then converts the video signal from analog to digital, compresses the file, and stores it on its hard drive. Due to the direct connection between camera and DVR, data network/broadband downtime will not affect your recorded footage.
Digital cameras on IP CCTV systems start with a digital image. They can send and receive data over a data network directly and can be accessed individually via an IP address on your network, without the need of a DVR first. With this type of setup, you can either connect the cameras to a physical NVR or use software on a dedicated PC to record your digital video streams. Many IP cameras have on board storage too, but this will be limited so won’t hold more than a few days of footage. This on boards storage is usually intended to back fill missing footage that may have been missed when recording the live stream due to fluctuating network speeds or downtime.
So, what is the better option, IP or Analogue?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both analog and digital IP security camera systems. Below we have tried to explain a few of them
Advantages of Analogue
- Analog cameras tend to cost a lot less than their digital counterparts.
- DVR and analogue cameras are generally easier to set up and understand for most people.
- Analog video files are transmitted to the DVR over coax cable instead of LAN (Local Area Network), so there is a lot less data travelling through your home or business Local Area Network.
- Technology has continued to develop so it is possible to achieve Full HD and even 4K images via Analogue cameras nowadays too.
Disadvantages of Analogue
- Because most Analogue cameras need to be connected to a power supply and a DVR, you tend to have more cable in this type of installation.
- Because analog cameras need to be connected directly to the DVR, you have to keep them within reasonable range of the recorder too.
- In theory, because this video signal is unencrypted, potential hackers may be able to physically splice into the cable to get a live feed from each camera, but a compatible DVR/converter would be required to do this with and access to the site to do this without being noticed.
Advantages of IP/Digital
- The image quality from IP cameras is slightly higher than their analog equivalents, and they tend to have a higher framerate than their analogue counterparts.
- Over a very large site, Digital IP systems can easily be connected via PoE switches and accessed over the Local Network. This will save having run a cable from each individual camera back to the NVR, resulting in less cable required and less of a limitation of how far and wide you can spread an IP system.
- PoE (Power over Ethernet) switches/NVR’s enable a signal ethernet cables to provide power to the cameras as well as carrying video signal data, reducing the need for additional cables.
- All IP/digital cameras have a username and password to access the stream, so your data should be safer from potential hackers.
Disadvantages of IP/Digital
- PoE switches can increase the cost and labor involved in setting up and configuring your CCTV system.
- IP cameras and equipment tend to cost more than their analog counterparts.
- An IP security system usually requires a lot more bandwidth than analog one would, so sometimes it may be required to set up a dedicated Local network just for your CCTV to avoid any impact on your normal day to day operations on your data network.
- Higher resolutions and higher frame rates generally mean larger files, so you may need more storage on your hard drive to achieve similar recording times.
If would like further advise feel free to contact Zenith Security Co. on 01902902251 or email support@www.zenithsecurityco.co.uk
