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The main difference between an analog and IP camera is the way in which the video signal is delivered. Analog cameras turn the video signal into a format that can be received by a television or other receiver such as a VCR or monitor. An IP-based camera, also known as an IP network camera, digitizes the video signal using a specialized encoder that contains an onboard web server.
The method by which the video signal is transmitted and ultimatelywhere the video is encoded . Anlog cost cheaper and is easier on installations. IP is newest development and very popular in the last years with advanced features.
Analog cameras are low coast.better in low light coditions,but poor quality compare to IP,not accommodate long distance.IP cams High resolution,simple to install but
high coast
The main difference between the two camera types is the way in which the video signal is delivered.
Analog cameras turn the video signal into a format that can be received by a television or Digital Video Recorder or monitor.
An IP based camera, also known as an IP network camera, digitizes the video signal using a specialized encoder that contains an onboard web server. This allows the IP camera to act as a network device, thus allowing captured video images to be viewed not only through an existing network, but also through a web browser that can be accessed through the Internet.
IP-based cameras have the added benefit of being able to use switches, hubs, and routers that allow the Cat5e network to be expanded to much broader ranges.
analog cameras
IP cameras
IP cameras excel in capturing high definition, megapixel images but have trouble with low lighting conditions. Dropped frames and video artifacts are commonly seen in IP CMOS cameras. IP cameras are limited in encoding resources. As a result choices have to be made with respect to codec, frame rates and quality where the selection of one decreases quality of another. Since the video is being compressed before monitoring, you can never have the highest quality or real time images. Encoding at the camera introduces latency, which becomes an issue when an operator needs to track something with a PTZ controller and over corrects.
One perceived advantage of IP cameras is the ability to use an existing network wiring infrastructure to support a surveillance system. Network wiring by standard follows TIA/EIA-568-B guidelines, which limits the total distance from switch to camera to 330 feet.
Structured cable in the IP camera architecture is capable of transmitting power (PoE), video and data. IP traffic, like Voice-Over-Internet (VoIP), is subject to a myriad of potential faults, such as: bandwidth limitations, network congestion, varying bit rates, large file sizes, load balancing, viruses and latency. If the network fails, even momentarily, the recorded or monitored video will cease or degradeWhile some IP cameras can store limited amounts of video internally, network failure will result in losing all live viewing and the recorded server video. Attempts to limit exposure to network faults by use of complex Layer 3 switches, redundant networks, etc., increases costs and management significantly. Networks can also become infected with viruses or other malware, with catastrophic results.One of the clear advantages of IP cameras is the flexibility to integrate with a wireless network. Whereas wireless IP is “virtually” unlimited in terms of expansion, bandwidth and the topology is still a concern.
IP cameras can be 3x more expensive than their analog equivalents. Additionally, there are per camera licensing costs for connecting them to the NVR.
In some instances, IP megapixel cameras can be more cost effective by taking the place of several analog cameras in a large open space where there are no “choke” points.
Large installations require managed network switching equipment and peripherals, which can become very costly.
Analog CCD cameras perform well across a variety of lighting conditions and manage motion well. Analog cameras do not have capabilities above the NTSC/PAL standards. As analog compresses the video in the DVR there are more hardware and software resources available to provide increased video quality and frame rate. Analog cameras transmit the video image to the DVR uncompressed where it can be viewed live with no latency per-compression.
Legacy cabling for analog cameras utilized coaxial cables, which are cumbersome. Today, integrators can use ‘baluns’ to transmit analog video, power and data over a network wiring infrastructure beyond TIA/EIA limitations. Using baluns, analog video can be transmitted well over a mile and power over 1,000 feet. Using active baluns video can be extended well over a mile on standard Cat5 cabling.
Analog video traffic is not subject to any networking issues or risks. The bandwidth is virtually unlimited. It is a passive connection, similar to an analog telephone connection, and cannot be interfered with due to problems external to the video surveillance system. Analog devices are limited to failures of the individual cameras or the individual devices at the point of concentration and as such the loss of a single piece of hardware will not cause a substantial degradation of the system. The video transmission is typically a “passive” connection, and once installed, requires virtually no maintenance. Analog cameras are very mature and have a long track record for reliability.Analog cameras which use radio frequencies to transmit video wirelessly are limited to about a dozen cameras before it reaches capacity in the unlicensed spectrum.
Analog cameras and peripheral equipment are significantly lower in price to their IP counterparts.
Analog cameras require little to none in the way of peripheral and managed equipment, which reduce costs, especially in the enterprise.
For most typical applications, when accounting for hardware, software and installation analog is a better value proposition.
