| Choosing between IP and analog security cameras is | | | | connections. Some IP cameras are hybrid in nature, |
| one of the first and hardest choices facing any | | | | allowing for both network and analog connections. |
| prospective buyer of a CCTV system, whether it is | | | | Toshiba's line of IP cameras generally has this feature. |
| for home surveillance or for monitoring a business. | | | | Analog Pros: |
| Both types of systems have advantages and | | | | |
| disadvantages, and manufacturers don't try to make it | | | | 1. Cost: Analog cameras generally have a better price |
| easy to decide between them. There is a lot of hype | | | | to performance ratio then IP. |
| and marketing buzz right now because of the growth | | | | 2. Flexibility of design: There are many varies of |
| of the industry. | | | | camera types, from small covert cameras to large |
| Both types of cameras work through the use of CCD | | | | PTZs to indoor domes with IR. This can make fulfilling |
| and CMOS chips. These chips turn visible light (and in | | | | certain goals easier by using a camera designed for |
| some cases infrared light) into a signal. Analog | | | | your needs. |
| cameras turn this signal into something that a television | | | | 3. Compatibility: Analog cameras put out either NTSC |
| can see, very much like a camcorder. IP based | | | | or PAL signals. In North America, almost any camera |
| cameras do something a little more complicated. They | | | | you buy will be NTSC. This makes it easy to use |
| take the information from the chip and feed the analog | | | | existing cameras, or mix and match vendors for |
| signal into an encoder. This encoder is combined with | | | | equipment. |
| an onboard web server. This allows for the camera to | | | | 4. Maturity: Many of the teething problems have been |
| become a network device. This allows it to be viewed | | | | worked out. Things like privacy masks (blacking out an |
| by users over an existing or new network like a web | | | | area for privacy on a PTZ) and back light |
| page. | | | | compensation exist from lesions learned in the past. |
| Analog cameras have been around since the 1970's, | | | | Analog Cons: |
| starting out as vacuum tube based devices. Since then | | | | |
| the cameras have gotten better and better. | | | | 1. Analog cameras don't have some of the features |
| Improvements to resolutions have occurred every | | | | like built in digital zoom that IP have, except at the |
| year. But the improvements go beyond increasing | | | | highest price points. |
| resolution. Auto-iris lens have made dealing with | | | | 2. Wireless Analog cameras have problems with |
| florescent lighting situations easier. Backlight controls | | | | interference and are unencrypted. Anyone can view |
| have been introduced to help with bright lights coming | | | | the signal. |
| into an area, like light streaming in through a window | | | | 3. Analog cameras can be harder to deal with over |
| next to a door. Privacy masks built into PTZs can | | | | long distances. |
| handle some of the concerns over misuse of CCTV | | | | IP Pros: |
| cameras. | | | | |
| Analog cameras have a variety of ways of | | | | 1. Better wireless support: Analog wireless has more |
| transmitting the signal, from wireless to coax, to Cat5 | | | | problems with interference then network based |
| using different connector types. This makes long | | | | cameras. The 802.11x standards have encryption built |
| distance runs in the same building much easier since | | | | into them. |
| you can use the right and most cost effective cable | | | | 2. IP cameras can take advantage of already existing |
| for each run. The variety of cable types can be both | | | | wiring. |
| confusing and useful at the same time. Cat5 works for | | | | 3. Adding one or two cameras at a remote site can |
| very short runs that are less than 250 ft. Professional | | | | be easier. |
| grade baluns can be run up to 2500 ft. | | | | IP Cons: |
| IP cameras grew from the humble web cameras. The | | | | |
| idea behind them was to move some of intelligence | | | | 1. High bandwidth use: It varies by camera but 500kbps |
| from the DVR to the camera itself. Many of the | | | | to 1.5 Mbps is a common range. |
| current IP cameras have their own built in motion | | | | 2. Cost: Because of the cost of the hardware that is |
| detection. This allows some cameras to record to SD | | | | moved onto the camera, IP cameras cost more then |
| cards inside the camera itself, offering a layer of | | | | comparable analog cameras. |
| redundancy. Other features include adding an analog | | | | 3. Vendor lock-in: Many third part applications support |
| output to the camera so that it can become a bridge | | | | more then one type of camera but most vendors only |
| between an analog system and an IP based system. | | | | support their cameras. Given that not all brands |
| IP cameras can be connected to a network by either | | | | support all features, it can make selecting the right |
| wireless transmissions or by Cat5. Through the use of | | | | brand hard unless you turn to a third party. |
| switches/hubs/and routers the Cat5 can be extended | | | | It is important to assess your situation and evaluate |
| almost indefinitely. The use of IP cameras can require | | | | both options, not only for your current needs, but for |
| the installation of new RJ-45 jacks. Existing jacks | | | | expansion possibilities in the future as well. |
| generally are not well placed to secure the camera's | | | | |