If you’re thinking about replacing your analog cameras to IP cameras, here’s what to consider :

IP cameras are clearly dominating the market nowadays. It is because the price gap between IP cameras and Analog Cameras are getting smaller. Besides, there are also advantages and disadvantages for both system and of course final decision depends on your organization’s specific needs.

Benefits of IP Cameras

• The price of IP Cameras has going down significantly. You still can spending some money if you’re really want to have premium CCTV that can give you Cristal clear picture, but also you can get some really good deal IP-based cameras for a reasonable price.
• You will need fewer IP cameras to do the same job as analog cameras, so your IP cameras investment could be worth it.
• Less Cabling and Easy installation; The analog camera takes two wires for Power and video signal, an IP camera only takes one cable for both data and power that can be connected to PoE network switch or NVR that has build in PoE port, so you don’t need running power cable at the camera site.
• The IP Cameras can be troubleshooted individually. Example: Adjusting camera focus, zooming, backing up footage and all works can be done remotely right from your desktop apps.
• IP Base camera Resolution just keeps getting better and better. Higher IP cameras resolution have superior image quality compared to analogs camera. You can get cameras with different resolutions and aspect ratios customized to your needs.
• IP cameras are getting smarter and smarter in providing us all sorts of analytics. E.g. Digital Forensic is easier and less time consuming.
• IP camera can detect motion or face recognition, people counting, line crossing, track certain colors, and set off alarms. All these nice features comes from IP cameras and can’t be done using Analog Cameras.
• IP cameras give better security as all Video signal are encrypted and authenticated so transmission is secure.
• Less equipment to maintain. Most IP camera nowadays supports cloud storage and Micro SD Card storage, so you can save cost for not having NVR if you want to. Instead using cloud storage or store locally on micro SD card inside the camera alone.

Disadvantages of IP Cameras

• It may cost more to initially set up your IP camera system if you’re making the switch from analog; however, once you have it set up, it’s much easier to tailor and scale your system as needed.
• Storage needed: IP cameras are higher resolution, so they generate larger files than analog. You’ll need to adjust your storage space accordingly.
• IP cameras installation required highly skill installer who really understand networking and IP base system. There is a certain level of technicality that needs to be learned by the end user.

Benefits of Analog Cameras

• Since analog cameras have been around for years and because they are fairly simple to install, you may have an easier time finding an installer, as well as a vendor.
• The most obvious reason to stick with your analog system is the price. Analog cameras tend to be significantly cheaper, especially as your camera need increases.
• Analog cameras are fairly easy to run, sending recordings to a digital video recorder (DVR), which then converts the analog to digital and stores it. DVRs are also simple to set up and run.
• High definition (HD) analog has tremendously increased the picture quality and the resolution. You can have IP like image by installing HD canalog camera. You can get four and five megapixel cameras that are HD analog, and that’s impressive. However, when you compare apples for apples on your resolution, there are many more benefits to an IP camera.

Disadvantages of Analog Cameras

• The frame rate of analog cameras is lower than that of IP, so they’re not ideal for areas that have a lot of motion or that need to be seen in high detail.
• Images are not as sharp and may appear grainy or blurry. You also can’t digitally zoom in like you can with IP cameras.
• You may need more analog cameras to cover the same amount of area as it would take one IP camera.
• More cables need to install Analog cameras. As you will need two wires one for power and the one for video. While IP camera only need one cable for both video and power from camera to network PoE switch or NVR supports PoE.
• A lack of encryption means un-authorized could could potentially access your information

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