Like i promised in the last post, i would be covering the different technologies available at your disposal in the field of CCTV Surveillance which will help you to make the right choice for your requirement.
There are two technologies which are available to us on the basis of transmission & storage method, quality of picture, which are:
1. Analogue Cameras
2. Digital/IP Cameras
1. Analogue Cameras: Analog Cameras as the name suggests give analog output and the mode of transmission is analog. Analog cameras general come in different resolutions which you mostly hear, such as 420TVL which stands for 420TVLines or 480TVL or 540TVL. As the number of TVL go up the picture resolution or clarity goes up. Transmission of Analog output is done by using RG-59 cable to a Television or a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). DVR converts the signal from analog to digital and records it in a Surveillance Hard Disk installed in the DVR. 95% of the DVR's today are IP-enabled which means the data can be viewed remotely by accessing the DVR. In order to do so the DVR has to connected to internet by providing it a Public Internet Address.
Following is a recorded image of a analog camera having 480TVL resolution:
Image Source: www.globalsecurityllc.com
The above gives you a brief idea on the expected quality of the image from a analog camera.
2. IP/Digital Camera: Digital Surveillance Cameras are usually referred to as IP Cameras in the security field to avoid general name conflict with Digital Cameras used for taking snaps. IP Cameras as the name suggests give a digital output and digital mode of transmission is required here. Network Cable commonly referred to as Cat-5 or Cat-6 is used here. Digital Output coming from a IP Camera cannot be recorded in a DVR, it can be recorded in a Computer, Server(placed remotely or lcoally) with the help of the Video Management Software provided along with the IP Camera or on Network Video Recorders (NVR) or Hybrid DVR's. Most manufacturers provide free Video Management Softwares for upto 4 IP Cameras while others provide it free for more number of cameras. But as the number of Cameras increase you can keep in mind the cost of Licensing Software as you go along.
A digital "IP camera" with standard resolution (640×480) – (below)
Image Source: www.globalsecurityllc.com
While the difference between the two images is quite visible, IP Cameras offer a advantage in terms of offering better picture quality as the choice can go to Megapixel Cameras when the resolution becomes 2 to 10 times the resolution of the expected resolution from a Analog Camera.
A digital "Megapixel IP camera" with very high resolution (1280×1024) – (below)
Image Source: www.globalsecurityllc.com
While the above gives you a brief knowledge on the technologies and the quality of picture you can expect , do understand that going forward Surveillance Solutions based on IP will gain steam due to the picture clairty, compatibility offered by them it terms of Video Analysis and Real time alerts. The real advantage which Analog offers in comparison to IP is the price. Production of IP Solutions in mass volumes is yet to take place and thus a cost anywhere between 4-5 times more then a similar analog camera at the entry level.
I hope the above helps you in making the right decision in choosing your Surveillance Solution.
@Rohit Jain - Omnipolis
There are two technologies which are available to us on the basis of transmission & storage method, quality of picture, which are:
1. Analogue Cameras
2. Digital/IP Cameras
1. Analogue Cameras: Analog Cameras as the name suggests give analog output and the mode of transmission is analog. Analog cameras general come in different resolutions which you mostly hear, such as 420TVL which stands for 420TVLines or 480TVL or 540TVL. As the number of TVL go up the picture resolution or clarity goes up. Transmission of Analog output is done by using RG-59 cable to a Television or a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). DVR converts the signal from analog to digital and records it in a Surveillance Hard Disk installed in the DVR. 95% of the DVR's today are IP-enabled which means the data can be viewed remotely by accessing the DVR. In order to do so the DVR has to connected to internet by providing it a Public Internet Address.
Following is a recorded image of a analog camera having 480TVL resolution:
Image Source: www.globalsecurityllc.com
The above gives you a brief idea on the expected quality of the image from a analog camera.
2. IP/Digital Camera: Digital Surveillance Cameras are usually referred to as IP Cameras in the security field to avoid general name conflict with Digital Cameras used for taking snaps. IP Cameras as the name suggests give a digital output and digital mode of transmission is required here. Network Cable commonly referred to as Cat-5 or Cat-6 is used here. Digital Output coming from a IP Camera cannot be recorded in a DVR, it can be recorded in a Computer, Server(placed remotely or lcoally) with the help of the Video Management Software provided along with the IP Camera or on Network Video Recorders (NVR) or Hybrid DVR's. Most manufacturers provide free Video Management Softwares for upto 4 IP Cameras while others provide it free for more number of cameras. But as the number of Cameras increase you can keep in mind the cost of Licensing Software as you go along.
A digital "IP camera" with standard resolution (640×480) – (below)
Image Source: www.globalsecurityllc.com
While the difference between the two images is quite visible, IP Cameras offer a advantage in terms of offering better picture quality as the choice can go to Megapixel Cameras when the resolution becomes 2 to 10 times the resolution of the expected resolution from a Analog Camera.
A digital "Megapixel IP camera" with very high resolution (1280×1024) – (below)
Image Source: www.globalsecurityllc.com
While the above gives you a brief knowledge on the technologies and the quality of picture you can expect , do understand that going forward Surveillance Solutions based on IP will gain steam due to the picture clairty, compatibility offered by them it terms of Video Analysis and Real time alerts. The real advantage which Analog offers in comparison to IP is the price. Production of IP Solutions in mass volumes is yet to take place and thus a cost anywhere between 4-5 times more then a similar analog camera at the entry level.
I hope the above helps you in making the right decision in choosing your Surveillance Solution.
@Rohit Jain - Omnipolis
