| Compare |
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Network camera-based system |
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Analog camera-based system |
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| Schema |
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| Access |
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As open or closed access as needed. Remote access to live images and remote administration of a network camera are possible from anywhere using a standard Web browser on any PC.
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Closed circuit. No possibility for remote access.
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| Ease of use |
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You can administer and view the images remotely using a standard Web browser on any PC.
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Remote administration or monitoring is not possible.
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Images can be recorded on a hard disk, enabling easy search possibilities, easy storage and no image degradation or wear.
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Images must be stored on video tape cassettes, which require constant changing and lots of storage space. The quality of recorded images deteriorate over time.
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The hard disk can be located at a remote location for security purposes.
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The video cassette recorder must be located near the camera. This could potentially enable unauthorized persons to have access to the video tape.
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| Quality |
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Digital images do not lose quality in transmission or storage. A digital picture is created using Motion-JPEG. Once created, the image is free from degradation. Each frame within a video stream is sharp.
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Image quality is lost when using long cables and the resolution of a magnetic tape is normally quite low. In addition, the quality of the recorded video deteriorates over time.
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System
requirements |
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Everything needed to stream live video over networks is included in the network camera. Simply connect the network camera to a network. View, record and administer from any networked PC (located anywhere).
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Connection to a coaxial cable, to a multiplexer, to a video or time lapse recorder, and to a locally placed CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor.
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| Installation |
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Simply connect a network camera to the nearest network connection and assign an IP address.
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Attach a coax cable to each and every camera and connect to the multiplexer.
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| Cabling |
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One standard UTP (unshielded twisted pair) network cable can forward images from hundreds of network cameras simultaneously.
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One cable can transport video signals from only one camera at a time. If you have two cameras, you have to have two cables. This often means large cable trunks filled with thick and sensitive cables that are connected to a locally placed control room.
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| Scalability |
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Adding more network cameras to the system is easy.
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Very difficult. Each analog camera requires its own cable. Image quality is lost when using long cables.
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| Cost |
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A high quality network cable typically costs 30 to 40 percent less than a standard coaxial cable.
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Expensive coaxial cables. A classic RG59 75 Ohms coaxial cable typically costs 30 to 40 percent more than a high quality network cable.
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A network cable can also support hundreds of network cameras and other devices.
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In addition, more cable is required. Each analog camera requires its own cabling.
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An IP-based network infrastructure is often already in place, which means the cost is reduced to only that of the network camera(s).
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High labor and maintenance demands, plus cost of the analog camera(s), video tape recorder and video tape cassettes.
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