Benefits of Network video surveillance What is an Analog Video Security System? Cameras on a modern analog CCTV system send their video over co-axil cabling back to a digital video recorder (DVR).
Most modern DVRs are a network device, and as such can be accessed remotely from the LAN, or with the proper configuration, from across a WAN or the internet. Video is kept on hard drives, typically on a FIFO basis so there is always a rolling video archive of the past X number of days. What is an IP Video Security System? IP video cameras broadcast their video as a digital stream over an IP network.Like an analog system, video is recorded on hard drives, but since the video is an IP stream straight from the camera, there is more flexibility as to how and where that video is recorded. The DVR is replaced with an NVR (network video recorder), which in some cases is just software since it doesn't need to convert analog to digital. Video footage can then be stored on new or existing network RAID drives as directed by the NVR software.
What is a Hybrid Video Security System? Hybrid CCTV systems combine IP and analog video, and can be a great way to transition an analog system to IP without needing to replace all of the existing cameras.Many NVR boxes on the market today are actually Hybrids in that they accept Analog cameras and IP cameras and combine them onto a single platform for the user. Why Choose an IP System? The digital, network video surveillance system provides a host of benefits and advanced functionalities that cannot be provided by an analog video surveillance system. The advantages include remote accessibility, high image quality, event management and intelligent video capabilities, easy integration possibilities and better scalability, flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Remote accessibilityNetwork cameras and video encoders can be configured and accessed remotely, enabling multiple, authorized users to view live and recorded video at any time and from virtually any networked location in the world. This is advantageous if users would like a third-party company, such as a security firm, to also gain access to the video. In a traditional analog CCTV system, users would need to be at a specific, on-site monitoring location to view and manage video High image quality In a video surveillance application, high image quality is essential to be able to clearly capture an incident in progress and identify persons or objects involved.With progressive scan and megapixel technologies, a network camera can deliver better image quality and higher resolution than an analog CCTV camera.
Image quality can also be more easily retained in a network video system than in an analog surveillance system. With analog systems today that use a DVR as the recording medium, many analog-to-digital conversions take place: first, analog signals are converted in the camera to digital and then back to analog for transportation; then the analog signals are digitized for recording.Captured images are degraded with every conversion between analog and digital formats and with the cabling distance. The further the analog video signals have to travel, the weaker they become. In a fully digital IP-Surveillance system, images from a network camera are digitized once and they stay digital with no unnecessary conversions and no image degradation due to distance traveled over a network. In addition, digital images can be more easily stored and retrieved than in cases where analog video tapes are used.
High Resolution qualityOne of the biggest factors driving interest in IP video systems is the high resolution that they can offer. Analog cameras max out on resolution at about 580 TVL which equates to roughly 0. 5 to 0. 6 mega pixels. High end IP cameras on the other hand, are currently available at resolutions above 1. 3 mega pixels.
This high resolution in turn gives users the ability to zoom in on video after the fact, and still have usable video. Event management and intelligent video There is often too much video recorded and lack of time to properly analyze them.Advanced network cameras and video encoders with built-in intelligence or analytics take care of this problem by reducing the amount of uninteresting recordings and enabling programmed responses. Such functionalities are not available in an analog system. Easy, future-proof integration Network video products based on open standards can be easily integrated with computer and Ethernet-based information systems, audio or security systems and other digital devices, in addition to video management and application software.For instance, video from a network camera can be integrated into a Point of Sales system or a building management system.
Scalability and flexibility A network video system can grow with a user’s needs. IP-based systems provide a means for many network cameras and video encoders, as well as other types of applications, to share the same wired or wireless network for communicating data; so any number of network video products can be added to the system without significant or costly changes to the network infrastructure. This is not the case with an analog system.In an analog video system, a dedicated coaxial cable must run directly from each camera to a viewing/recording station. Separate audio cables must also be used if audio is required.
Network video products can also be placed and networked from virtually any location, and the system can be as open or as closed as desired. Cost-effectiveness An IP-Surveillance system typically has a lower total cost of ownership than a traditional analog CCTV system. An IP network infrastructure is often already in place and used for other applications within an organization, so a network video application can use the existing infrastructure.IP-based networks and wireless options are also much less expensive alternatives than traditional coaxial and fiber cabling for an analog CCTV system. In addition, digital video streams can be routed around the world using a variety of interoperable infrastructure.
Management and equipment costs are also lower since back-end applications and storage run on industry standard, open systems-based servers, not on proprietary hardware such as a DVR in the case of an analog CCTV system Technology of Future IP Solution is advanced technology and hence shall not be outdated for a long time.
