Analog vs. IP camera: What CCTV security is right for you?

For security professionals planning to install or upgrade cameras for video security, there is a distinct choice: analog vs. IP cameras.

Both digital security cameras, also known as IP security cameras, and analog security cameras offer benefits, and the respective technologies continue to evolve. However, to make a fully informed decision when thinking about a digital security camera vs. analog, it’s important to take many different factors into consideration. 

This guide explains how factors such as video quality and resolution, networking and power requirements, storage, ease of installation and maintenance, integration with other systems, data security, scalability, and through-life costs should be included in any evaluation of analog vs. digital cameras or IP security cameras such as fixed IP cameras.

Analog vs. digital camera: Basic differences

So, what are analog cameras? Analog cameras are found in video security and access control applications in many different industries. Analog cameras record images and transfer them for analysis and storage via wired connections, such as through a coaxial cable, to a recording device, normally found in a security center. They require a separate wired power supply. 

IP systems are widely used in the same applications, and are an increasingly popular choice for many security camera systems. IP technology records images in a similar way, but sends data to a networked video recorder via the Internet or a local or wide area network (LAN or WAN). Unlike traditional cameras, an IP camera can take its power from the network using power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology. 

Image quality

HD IP NVR vs. DVR analog – the abbreviations and buzzwords can definitely get confusing, but when comparing an IP camera vs analog camera, image or picture quality is the most important consideration. A security camera needs to provide quality images for analysis and potential evidence in the event of a security breach. 

So, how do analog cameras vs. IP cameras really compare?

Analog camera technology is evolving with high-definition (HD), now capable of up to 4- or 5‑megapixel resolution. However, that represents the high end of the range. If you’re choosing between an analog vs IP camera and image resolution is critical for your business, know that the resolution of standard analog cameras is generally lower than their digital counterparts. Analog CCTV cameras do not offer the high resolution video footage that IP network cameras do. Furthermore, CCTV analog cameras are not able to capture or detect motion as well as a digital camera.

One advantage when considering an IP camera vs. analog is that IP cameras offer higher resolution across the range, with models offering 1.3 to 5 megapixels. IP camera systems also have good motion detection, offering a higher frame rate than analog cameras. This is important for monitoring areas with high levels of motion or where fine detail such as facial recognition is required for analysis or for intrusion detection. 

Bandwidth

Image quality and motion detection can also be affected by the bandwidth available. When planning an installation of a security camera security system, comparing the bandwidth requirements of IP cameras vs analog cameras is essential. 

IP cameras such as IP dome or bullet security cameras offer better quality, higher-resolution images than analog camera CCTV versions. However, that increases the bandwidth and storage requirements because file sizes are larger. The network must have sufficient bandwidth to provide optimum image quality. 

Coverage

When planning a video security system, it’s important to calculate the number of cameras required to provide comprehensive coverage, particularly of high-traffic or high-security areas. Here, comparing analog vs. digital solutions highlights important differences.

When it comes to analog camera security, analog systems may require multiple cameras to cover an area. While analog cameras can incorporate pan, tilt or zoom functionality, there may be a loss of image quality when these functions are used.

IP cameras with digital zoom can provide multiple views of the same areas with no loss of image quality. There are also IP-based solutions that incorporate multiple cameras in the same unit, reducing hardware and wiring costs while optimizing coverage.

Power and connectivity 

There is a difference between an IP camera vs. analog in the way they are connected to a power source and an image recording device. 

Analog cameras require separate cabling for power and connectivity. Electrical security camera cables and connectors are used to supply power and connectivity is via coaxial cable or twisted-pair cabling. If the camera also provides audio feeds or incorporates pan, tilt and zoom functionality, each function will require separate dedicated cabling. 

IP cameras such as panoramic IP security cameras only require a single cable for all of those functions. They can connect to a LAN or WAN via twisted-pair Ethernet or coaxial cable to transmit images. They can also source power from the same network using PoE technology over twisted-pair Ethernet cabling.

Both analog and IP cameras can transmit images wirelessly, provided there is a strong signal.

Intelligent monitoring

Security professionals must be able to make decisions quickly to minimize risk in the event of an incident. The latest video security trends offer smart camera systems that can provide valuable support and speed up response times by triggering alerts when they detect events that do not comply with pre-set specifications. 

IP cameras such as PTZ IP security cameras have the edge here because they can be programmed to respond to specific events. They are sometimes described as ​‘cameras with a brain’. With the addition of artificial intelligence at camera or monitoring level, an IP solution can provide security teams with greater responsiveness than analog security.

Transmission distances

If the security monitoring team is located a significant distance from the area or building where cameras are installed, it’s important to compare maximum transmission distances for analog cameras vs. IP cameras. 

For analog cameras, maximum transmission distances are approximately 300 meters over coax cable or 1.5 kilometers over twisted-pair cables. 

Although IP cameras can only send images a shorter distance – around 100 meters – over twisted-pair Ethernet, their ability to send data over the Internet eliminates distance as a barrier. 

That means monitoring stations can be located anywhere with secure Internet access. It also gives security professionals the ability to handle monitoring remotely on mobile devices, increasing convenience and flexibility.

Transmission security

It’s essential to secure images and data on site and in transit to minimize the risk of security breaches. An IP camera vs an analog camera differ in the levels of security they offer.

Video feeds from analog cameras are not encrypted when they are transmitted, increasing the risk of security breaches if the signals are intercepted. There is also a risk of loss through theft of physical components. 

Signals from IP cameras such as IP explosion-proof cameras are encrypted at source before transmission via the Internet or a virtual private network (VPN) to maximize security.

Data storage

Facilities for storing data from cameras must be scalable and accessible. Apart from its value in analyzing incidents, supporting audits and providing evidence, data must also be retained for specific periods to ensure compliance with client or industry regulations. 

Regardless of the camera technology – analog camera vs. digital camera – security professionals have the choice of retaining storage onsite or using cloud storage facilities. 

So, digital camera vs analog camera: how do they differ when it comes to storage? Analog cameras traditionally export images and other data to a recording device onsite, which can also store data for retrieval and analysis. Depending on capacity requirements, the data may also be transferred to the cloud or to a data center. 

IP cameras can transmit data directly to cloud storage facilities via the Internet. Security professionals can access, download or receive data from the cloud, using a variety of Internet-connected devices, wherever they are located. That makes it possible for security teams to monitor and respond remotely or to share data and collaborate with other professionals or stakeholders.

Installation and scalability

A key factor in the decision between IP cameras vs. analog cameras is the comparative cost and complexity of installing new systems or adding more cameras to existing installations.

Scalability is important for organizations that are growing or facing different types of threat, which must be a factor when choosing between an analog vs. IP camera.

Aside from the unit cost of equipment, adding new analog cameras will require new dedicated wiring for power, connectivity and any other functionality.

New IP cameras, which only require one cable for all power and functionality, can be connected to an existing network.

Integration with other applications

While security professionals’ initial focus on IP vs. analog cameras is their role in video security applications, camera networks are increasingly integrated with other applications as part of a ​‘smart building’ strategy.

For example, camera networks can be integrated with building management or environmental control systems to improve energy efficiency and costs. Data from camera systems provides valuable information on building or space occupancy, which can be used to automatically adjust environmental factors such as heating, lighting or air conditioning in different zones. 

IP cameras have the capability to form part of a wider smart solution. They are built to open standards so that they can be easily integrated with other applications and they are interoperable with other devices. 

Through-life costs

When comparing the through-life costs of analog vs. IP cameras, it’s important to include all cost-related factors. 

Unit costs depend on the camera model selected and should only be considered as part of the through-life cost calculation.

Analog setup, installation and system expansion costs are higher because of the wiring required for each camera. 

The cost of coverage can be lower for IP cameras by using their zoom capabilities, installing units with multiple cameras in a single unit or leveraging their wider fields of view compared to adding more analog cameras to cover the same area.

While IP cameras require higher bandwidth than analog models, this is balanced by lower networking and cabling costs. 

Analog vs. IP camera: Which is right for your business?

Security professionals and business owners should take many different factors into consideration when evaluating IP vs. analog cameras for CCTV products to invest in. While there is no ​‘one size fits all’ solution in the IP camera vs. analog debate, professionals need to also be aware of longer-term trends in physical security and camera technology, as well as solutions that meet their immediate requirements.