Benefits
Benefits of an IP based CCTV System, over a standard Analogue to Digital system.
When mentioning an Analogue to Digital system, we are talking about a standard CCTV system, using analogue video cables, and recording on a DVR (Digital Video Recorder), with analogue video capture cards, which convert the video to digital signals. An IP based system in this case, could still consist of analogue cameras, directly connected to an IP based encoder, for transmission to a viewing or recording station.
Below are some benefits of IP based security:
- Existing network infrastructure can be used, no extra long distance cables required.
- Camera’s can be moved with minimum time & effort, and cabling does not need to be replaced.
- Camera’s can be installed at any location, no matter the distance, as long as it’s near the Ethernet infrastructure.
- Control rooms could be anywhere on the network, and there could be many.
- The same camera could be viewed or recorded simultaneously at multiple locations, controlled by multiple security levels.
- Recording could take place anywhere, and even an existing PC or Server could be used for a few cameras.
- Optionally, recording could take place at each camera, and no recordings would be lost if the network infrastructure goes down for any reason, automatic recording replenishment would then take place as soon as the network is available.
- Any amount of recordings per camera, at the same time could take place at multiple locations, for redundancy, or offsite storage.
- Bandwidth could be controlled differently for each camera, and different streams at different bandwidths are available for viewing across different networks. WAN uses low bandwidth for instance, and LAN, is set to high per camera.
- Hard drive space can be shared across many systems for recording of video or data.
- Audio or alarms can be connected to the same encoders which transmit the video.
- Outputs could be used to control any device with alarm contacts, or relays could be used to turn power on to any devices.
- As the encoders already use Ethernet, wireless LAN radios could be used to transmit video, audio or alarms from remote locations.
- Existing alarm system could be monitored from remote locations.
- We have entered an era, where an IP based system is not only cheaper in the long run, but even startup capital is lower than conventional systems, especially withregards to systems with 64 cameras and more.
- Professional video walls are now available using IP, at a fraction of the cost of conventional video walls.
A digital system has many benefits over an analogue only system, but the benefits mentioned here, are over and above a Digital system. Basically an IP based security system has all the benefits of Digital, and so much more.