CCTV, or closed circuit television, is usually used as a security measure for protecting one’s home or one’s business premises from unlawful entry by unauthorised individuals. Usually, CCTV involves the use of small cameras which are connected to a central monitor which allows one to view and monitor what the cameras can see. A typical CCTV system includes a certain number of camera’s; cabling; a CCTV monitor and a DVR (digital video recorder).
At the moment, a transition is taking place where analog systems are being replaced by their more technologically advanced counterparts, the IP CCTV systems. The IP systems are able to transmit their images over a local network or even across the internet, which means that you can access your security footage on your laptop wherever you are in the world. In comparison, the analog system has the capability of transmitting their images to a local recording device, like a monitor or PC. So if you want to monitor more than one property, you’ll have to have two separate recording devices for each place.
Analog systems require cables to connect the cameras with recording devices, although, there is now the slightly more expensive option of using wireless CCTV cameras for these systems. Another important thing to know about the analog system is that each camera requires its own power supply, which means more cables.
With the above mentioned features one can see that the analog systems may be difficult and costly to install, especially if you want to monitor a large area which needs multiple cameras.
IP CCTV camera systems don’t require as many cables as the analog version, although some of them may require a network cable. While the IP system cameras usually require power cables, for a little extra money one can purchase IP cameras which have the capability of being powered by the network cable. From the above you can see that an analog system would take longer to install, and in some cases the costs involved would be more in comparison than the IP system.
Deciding between analogue and IP cameras for your CCTV system depends on your specific security needs and budget. IP cameras offer advanced features like remote access, which can be a significant advantage for monitoring multiple properties. We can help you weigh the pros and cons to select the best CCTV solution for your home or business. Give us a call or request a free written quote to discuss your options.