If you want to protect your building, employees, assets, etc., video surveillance at your facility is a must-have. Most businesses and organizations already utilize CCTV surveillance systems to monitor everyday activity during work hours and beyond. However, the reality is many are still using analog camera systems. IP (internet protocol) is the current trend when it comes to video surveillance. In simple terms, an IP surveillance system is a digital video camera system that can both send and receive a signal through a computer network. An analog camera only sends its feed directly to a DVR (digital video recorder). There are several benefits to using a high-definition IP camera system that analog cameras do not offer.
Here are a few key advantages to using an IP video system:
- Accessibility: If you are connected to the internet, you can access your surveillance cameras anytime. IP video systems allows users to view the feed from their cameras from any computer or mobile device connected to the web.
- Resolution: Grainy and blurry videos are a thing of the past. High-definition IP cameras allow for unbelievable zoom-in capabilities, with cameras now topping 30-megapixel resolutions eclipsing even the most advanced analog camera. IP cameras also offer HD 1080p and even 4K resolution. When compared, any analog solution looks out of focus.
- Storage: No more disks or VHS tapes. You can save and store as much footage as you wish if your hard drive permits it, or you can keep it in the cloud, which is becoming more popular. With an IP surveillance system, all footage is stored digitally.
- Video-Sharing: You can not only view your footage from any device, but you can also send that video to anyone anywhere in the world. This cuts down investigation time in crucial situations.
- Regulatory compliance: Many companies must retain footage for a set period. Storage of the old systems is dangerous as it has to be stored on-site, whereas the new system’s footage is stored using an NVR (Network Video Recorder) which is incredibly safer.
- Low Maintenance: The digital age keeps doing away with excessive equipment. An IP video surveillance system cuts down the costs to the owner without needing time-lapse video equipment, tapes, cataloging, etc.
- Flexibility: Every analog camera needs to be connected directly to the DVR. Multiple IP cameras (in the same general area) can be connected to the same single switch connected to the NVR (network video recorder) by one cable. You can also click the switch to amplify your number of cameras and the area being monitored further. This reduces the amount of cabling when installing the system and allows more cameras to be connected seamlessly.
- Reliable and durable: IP CCTV security is undoubtedly a high-tech security system that’s high-res, convenient, compact, flexible, and cost-effective. You already know that it’s superior and that you can count on the reliability and durability of the system. If you decide to secure your property with IP CCTV, contact a professional to provide you with first-rate installation.
- PoE Switch: An IP video surveillance system that uses a PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch enables your Category 5e or 6 cables to not only run the signal from your cameras but also power the cameras. This eliminates the need for an additional power supply. Also, new IP cameras can reside on an already existing network.
If your facility still has an analog system, don’t worry. Converting and phasing from an analog to an IP video systems is easy to accomplish, and it doesn’t involve losing all of that expensive equipment you invested in several years ago. An example of re-use is that the coax cabling used for analog cameras can be left in place and utilized to connect the new IP cameras. This can be a significant cost saving when transitioning to IP technology.