Analog video surveillance against numbers: 4 disadvantages

The fundamental question of choosing a monitoring format is based on the dispute between outdated analog video surveillance and modern digital one. Many people do not understand the peculiarities of new systems and the disadvantages of old ones. This article will compare analog formats to IP and explain why the whole world is switching to digital.

What are modern analog systems?

The modern “analog” is only partly analog. The fact is that the signal transmitted by the device is still analog, but the NVR uses it.

And then, the device easily transfers the received data to other receivers. For example, a mobile phone through which remote control of the system is organized.

Technology has changed video surveillance a lot in 20 years. Even a modern analog no longer works through a closed-loop system.

4 main disadvantages

Despite the modernization, the connection of analog video surveillance still has several disadvantages compared to digital. After all, IP came as an update, improving technology for user requests and new technical capabilities.  

Noise

The most fundamental problem with connecting an analog CCTV camera is the appearance of noise. It is an unwanted signal that spoils the resulting image from the lens.

It will not be possible to remove noise from outdated systems completely, and the quality can also drop even more with increasing cable length.

On the other hand, IP video surveillance can transmit information to any part of the planet without loss of quality.

Low resolution

Analog systems are limited in their capabilities. For example, the maximum resolution they can give is only 8 megapixels. In comparison, the digital one can work from 20 megapixels.

The resolution affects the quality of the resulting image and detail, but it depends entirely on the matrix installed in the system.   

Single point of failure

The operation of analog video surveillance depends directly on the DVR, and if it fails, the entire system will be useless.

IP cameras work differently. They can transfer data with different subsystems without the involvement of a central service. IP equipment is a miniature PC with its operating system and “brains” that receive, process, and transmit data wherever you go, for example, to the cloud or a memory card.

Additionally, read the article: “The cloud against the hard drive. Once again about secure data storage”.

Lack of video analytics

Video analytics is a surveillance trend for the next ten years of the market. Today, multifunctionality is coming to the fore; video monitoring is already being used not only for observing objects.

Video analytics is capable of:

• analyzing the information received to identify violations (entry into the territory, shoplifting,  staff service rules violation, etc.);
• recognizing faces and keeping track of customers;
• classifying visitors by gender and age;
• identifying “blacklist” troublemakers at the facility;
• working as a nanny;
• looking after the sick;
• controlling the behavior of pets that are left at home alone;
• etc.

All these capabilities are met by the Faceter cloud surveillance service. Ordinary video monitoring turns into a full-fledged security and surveillance officer thanks to the artificial intelligence base. And it does not require a salary and days off.

Video analytics capabilities are enormous, and new features appear every year. Moreover, the main advantage is the budget subscription to the service.

Summing up

Each user has the right to choose analog or IP surveillance cameras to install. But an updated system could likely do more value for businesses and homes if upgraded to digital capabilities.

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