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The Advantages of Network Video
Updated 29 May 2009.
There are 3 main areas to be aware of.
Better Image Quality
- IP cameras are available with megapixel/HD resolutions which provide far more detail than analogue cameras.
- Digital transmission does not lose quality over any distance. Analogue systems suffer from interference and degradation even over short cable runs.
- Analogue cameras switch between digital and analogue multiple times before the signal leaves the camera, then again when recorded to a DVR. Each conversion loses quality. IP cameras use digital throughout.
Simplified installation; lower overall cost
- With IP video a single network cable provides video, audio, control and power. Analogue cameras require numerous wires and cables which are difficult to install and manage.
- IP cameras can share network cables and utilise existing network infrastructure. An IP camera can be hooked into an existing network at any point. Adding an extra analogue camera would require a new dedicated cable run.
- By sending power over a network cable (using PoE) the need for an electrician is removed. Analogue systems require electrical work at each camera point which is messy, inconvenient and costly.
- Network video is based on modern open-standards and will remain compatible with other IT into the future. It represents a much more future proof investment. Analogue CCTV is now rapidly falling behind the demands and expectations of modern surveillance systems.
Advanced features and IT integration
Analogue cameras have very limited, or no support for the features below.
- Live and recorded video can be accessed from any authorised PC or mobile device anywhere in the world.
- IP Cameras can react automatically to their environment using onboard video and audio analytics, external sensors and more.
- IP cameras can be used to control local devices such as doors, lights and security equipment, either automatically or via the user interface.
- Alerts can be sent directly to PCs or mobile devices, helping people and businesses to react in time. Intelligent alerting can also simplify the task of monitoring large numbers of cameras.
- Network cameras now support advanced analytics for detecting suspicious vehicles and luggage, or counting visitors to a shop.
- Recorded video can be easily shared by authorised users over networks or by disk or email.
- Network video systems can integrate with Point of Sales (PoS) and Access Control systems to associate video recordings with events (e.g. sales, refunds, or access to buildings).
Conclusion
Analogue CCTV is 20th century technology with nowhere else to go. Video quality reached its limit several years ago and there are no answers to the quality problems that have persisted over decades. The DVRs used by analogue vendors provide a limited amount of network access, but exacerbate quality issues and fail to offer the advancement available through pure IP solutions.
Network Video has addressed all the problems with CCTV and has a clear path forward. It is based on open-standard IT and uses high quality digital video throughout. It offers unique benefits with unlimited possibilities into the future.
Network Video is the only future proof option. Thanks to its high quality video, lower overall cost and advanced features, it also offers a fast return on investment.
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