Camera security, IP versus analogue: with the increasing range of IP camera offerings, we regularly receive customer demand or have to choose between analogue camera systems or IP systems in the field of camera security. Although the answer to this can vary on the basis of the camera security requirements, it can be said with certainty that IP camera security is the future.
Analog camera security:
With analogue camera security, the quality of the security cameras is indicated by the amount of horizontal TV lines. For example, the somewhat older or budget cameras are often equipped with a lens with 380 or 420TV lines and the high-end cameras with a number of TV lines between 600 and 700. Although the difference in image quality can be seen immediately when the analog cameras are directly on a monitor, this difference is largely lost when a digital video recorder is placed between the camera and the monitor. This is because many recorders only support up to 420 TV lines and the rest is therefore lost. If a high-quality digital recorder is used for camera security, the images are still of comparable quality compared to IP cameras at this time. However, the disadvantage of analogue camera security remains that the number of horizontal TV lines recorded when converting to digital signal (encoded recording) is not able to improve video quality later.
IP camera security:
IP camera systems do not use encoded recording but direct digital recording. With camera security this is spoken from 1.3 MP IP cameras. Because much more information is recorded here by the higher pixels, IP camera security offers the possibility to edit, zoom in and improve the recorded camera images. The disadvantage that has been with IP camera security for a long time was the required storage capacity when MPEG compression was still being used. Because the new generation of IP cameras all use H.264 compression, this problem has been solved. H.264 compression was developed by a group called 'Joint Video Team' who were looking for a uniform standard in the field of video compression. For example, h.264 compression is used in various applications, such as YouTube.
Choice between camera security systems:
When you make a choice between analog camera protection or IP camera protection, it is initially advisable to go for IP camera protection, as these systems normally offer better image quality and more options for remote viewing, such as Pan & Tilt. However, IP cameras do need a separate NAS for image storage or you must leave a computer or server with software and sufficient storage capacity on. If you already have file cabling for an analog system at a location or have a more limited budget, an analog camera system will be more in line with the situation.
Which camera security to choose:
In the majority of cases it is advisable to go for an IP camera security system. This has the advantage of better image quality and remote viewing with options such as Pan / Tilt and Zoom. However, an IP camera security system can have the disadvantage that IP megapixel cameras are more expensive than the analog cameras. An NVR or NAS must be purchased for recording the video images or a computer or server must be on 24/7 for recording the images. As a result, IP camera security is often only chosen if 1 or 2 cameras are required.
If you have a more limited budget or if you already have an analog recorder or cabling, an analog system is certainly also an option. With the camera security systems, view especially the TV lines of the supplied cameras and whether the recorder has h.264 compression.
View a complete overview here:
Analog camera security
