If you’re considering switching to an IP camera security system, consider these points.

An analogue camera is a traditional camera used in CCTV systems. It sends video over cable to VCRs or DVRs. IP cameras are all digital cameras that can send signals over cable to be stored in the network or NVR. 

1. Video quality

IP cameras provide overall higher video quality than analogue cameras. They offer more video site ranges, such as a wide or narrow field of view, and better zoom-in capabilities. And because they transmit truly digital signals, they offer far greater video detail, which makes them much better for facial recognition or detecting license plate numbers.

Analogue cameras have overall lower quality than IP cameras, but perform better in low light conditions. Analogue cameras have more limited site ranges and don’t offer the zoom-in clarity of IP cameras. If you zoom in on the analogue images, you’re going to get a grainier, degraded picture. It’s not like what you see on TV cop shows. If you’re using an analogue camera, you’re not going to recognise the perpetrators face by zooming in.

2. Resolution

Generally, digital cameras provide resolutions 6 to 20 times higher than analogue cameras. Analogue cameras are limited to the technology and are typically a much lower resolution. 

IP cameras offer resolutions that can range from 1.3 megapixels to 4K, encoded transmissions. This gives you the ability to cover a far wider viewing area or to get far more detailed pictures in narrow, zoom-in viewing areas.

3. PoE capabilities

One of the advantages of IP cameras is that they can be powered over the twisted-pair Ethernet cable, thus eliminating worries over running electrical wire.

Older analogue cameras can not be PoE powered.

4. Distance

Analogue cameras can send video over twisted-pair cable up to 300 ft.

IP cameras can send digital video 100 metres over twisted-pair Ethernet cable and unlimited distances over IP networks. Because the images are digital, they maintain 100% of their clarity over long distances and when the signal is converted between different formats.

5. Intelligence and manageability

IP cameras offer network intelligence and remote manageability. They can stream images, and different parts of images, to different recipients simultaneously. They can perform additional tasks such as sending a message when they detect motion.

6. Security

Analogue cameras are far more vulnerable to security breaches because the feeds can be physically intercepted and tapes and recording devices can be stolen. Analogue video feeds are also not encrypted.

IP cameras make data difficult to intercept. They encrypt and compress data before transporting it over the Internet to your server and they have VPN support.

7. Reliability

Analogue security cameras have been around for more than half a century and have a long history of reliability.

IP systems have built-in reliability due to the data encryption and compression. They are as reliable as the network is, although backup systems can be put in place to minimise outages.

8. Expandability

IP cameras offer more expandability and scalability than analogue cameras because their cabling requirements are less complex. But it is still possible to leverage your existing cabling infrastructure when migrating to IP cameras with the use of converters and extenders.

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Note: A Lot of installers will quote a HD video system. Buyer Beware!!!!! 720P and up is HD... So don't be fooled paying for a 1080P system when you could get a much better system / camera for the same price if not less. A Lot of people raise their price and lie about the quality!!!!!

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