Video surveillance systems have taken on an increasingly essential role as a means of preventing any illegal acts. If these systems are important in private homes, they become even more so in companies, where the risk of intrusions, vandalism or theft can lead to serious structural and economic damage, also putting at risk sensitive data that must not be disclosed.
In this article, we will know some technical aspects of professional video surveillance systems. We will also discover the pros and cons of the two technologies in use, the analog system, and the IP video surveillance system.
External video surveillance system: analog or IP?
As in other areas, the technology of video surveillance systems has also made significant progress in recent years, moving in sync with Internet developments. Currently, it is possible to choose between two distinct models: the analog system or the IP video surveillance system.
Analog video surveillance system: what it is
It is based on a classic closed-circuit TV (CCTV) system with analog video signal transmission. The various cameras of the system capture the images, transmitting the standard video signal to a centralized recording unit, the DVR (Digital Video Recorder), to which they are directly connected.
The DVR compresses the received images by recording them on the internal hard disk. The video is viewed through a monitor connected to the DVR. However, there are also DVR models equipped with a network port, which allows remote viewing of the recordings via the Internet.
Analog video surveillance system: pros and cons
The most obvious advantage of an analog system is certainly economic. Professional video surveillance systems of this kind do not, in fact, entail excessive costs in terms of the technology used.
The main disadvantage concerns instead of the resolution of the images which appears to be very limited in detailing relevant aspects such as, for example, faces and plates.
An analog system also provides for more complex management in terms of wiring because the power supply of the cameras, for reasons related to their electrical characteristics, necessarily requires a dedicated power supply.
IP video surveillance system: what it is
In this type of video surveillance system, the cameras are directly connected to the local network, where the video signal is therefore transmitted in digital format. The apparatus that records the images, technically defined NVR (Network Video Recorder) can be positioned at any point connected to the network.
In an IP video surveillance system, Wi-Fi technology can also be used to connect the cameras to the network, placing them wherever wireless signal coverage is present.
IP video surveillance system: pros and cons
An IP video surveillance system has several advantages. Here are the main ones:
The best resolution that allows obtaining an excellent image quality with very high details;
The ability to power digital cameras through the same cable that carries data, thanks to Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology. This feature simplifies wiring, eliminating the need to carry power separately;
The greater completeness of the system due to the fact that IP cameras, in addition to images, can also carry all additional information such as audio, control commands, etc. This allows you to collect more information on a single cable;
The use of an existing network infrastructure.
The main disadvantages of an IP system concern the higher costs and the need for a more complex configuration, which requires more skills. However, these are two irrelevant aspects if we take into account the reliability and quality guaranteed by an IP video surveillance system.
An additional feature to consider in an IP system is the greater ease of management in the presence of a large number of cameras. An IP video surveillance system is, in fact, capable of concentrating dozens of cameras in a single system.
How registration takes place in professional video surveillance systems
For recording, an external video surveillance system requires the use of specific digital devices, the DVR, the NVR or the NAS, to which all the cameras of the system are connected. These devices have a hard disk inside that stores compressed videos.
The management takes place through software that constitutes a real control center.
DVR (Digital Video Recorder) video recorders
If an analog system is used, a DVR must be used to store the images. The device can be purchased separately, to then combine the various cameras, or in kits that already include a certain number of cameras.
When choosing the DVR, it is advisable to accurately evaluate the number of inputs available, corresponding to the maximum number of cameras that the device can manage. Generally, 4 to 64 analog cameras can be connected to this type of device. In addition to the analog version, there are also hybrid models, known as HVR, which can also support IP cameras.
NVR (Network Video Recorder) video recorders
The NVR is a video surveillance system device designed exclusively to record video streams from IP cameras. These video recorders provide high performance. Their installation requires the intervention of an expert technician.
The NVR offers high security in saving data because it allows you to host two or more hard drives configurable in Raid mode. This means that if one of the disks fails, you can recover the data by replacing the damaged item.
Network Attached Storage (NAS)
The Network Attached Storage ( NAS ) is an alternative to the NVR that can be used in an IP video surveillance system. The term NAS indicates a device connected to the network that allows users to access and share a mass memory consisting of one or more hard disks. This type of device is suitable for not very complex installations that require a limited number of cameras.
Generally, the NAS that can be used in a video surveillance system is equipped with dedicated applications that make it possible not only to record and browse images but also to analyze the video flow to detect movement within the scene as well as access to all cameras in a centralized web environment.
Even the NAS, like the NVR, can accommodate multiple configurable disks in Raid mode, protecting against data loss.
Choose your video surveillance system from UAE Technician
UAE Technician is Located in Dubai UAE specialized in the supply and installation of devices for professional video surveillance systems.
We offer highly technological solutions from renowned brands such as Axis to best meet the safety needs of your company or offices. We also provide some of the best video surveillance cameras available on the market.
To get to know our proposals and to request more information or a quote, contact us.
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