Pros and Cons: Analog vs IP Camera Surveillance

All homes and businesses can benefit from extra surveillance. If you’re currently contemplating getting a new camera system, you’re already on the right path for upping your security. This extra care will ensure that you can leave your house or office space in peace because a vigilant system will always be watching and keep you informed.

But what kind of surveillance system will work for you? There are several options to choose from in an increasingly diverse and competitive market, each coming with its own number of benefits and quirks. Many cameras exist, but most can easily be distilled into two categories:  IP and analog cameras. Here, learn more about each camera type — and their pros and cons that will help you land on a purchase.

Analog Video Surveillance

Analog surveillance uses a DVR security system and is most commonly known as CCTV. There was a period when analog cameras dominated the surveillance industry: affordable and simple enough to manage; they were immensely popular. Then, more technical options like IP systems came along, and with it, higher-resolution cameras equipped with nifty capabilities. Today, analog has come a long way in terms of quality while still keeping costs at a more affordable rate.

These cameras employ a DVR security system, meaning cameras capture an analog signal and then send it off to the recorder to process images. Straightforward and commonly used, these systems are easy to find on the market and, as such, are everyday installations for professionals given the frequency of their use.  

This is more affordable, but there is less system flexibility: when uniting the cameras, all must connect to the same DVR to work together. These systems also often lack encryption which makes them more vulnerable to potential hackers. But as an economical option — and with high-definition cameras making great strides — these work in many areas where a limited amount of coverage is needed.

IP Video Surveillance

Think of IP as the Cadillac of video surveillance.  It can be as cost-effective as analog or far more expensive, but you get what you pay for.  A single IP camera can have as many as four sensors, offering more frames and a wider range of coverage. The images captured will also be much sharper, making identifying any suspicious activity that much easier.