Larson Electronics’ Tips to Pick Commercial Surveillance Cameras

Larson Electronics offers some tips for picking the best commercial surveillance cameras.

Larson Electronics carries explosion-proof analog cameras and network IP cameras that are designed for industrial and commercial surveillance use. However, before deciding which one is right for monitoring your tank farm or other sensitive facility areas, you will need to understand the differences between the two cameras and the pros and cons of each.

An analog camera is a type of surveillance camera that contains a CCD sensor and digitizes the image it captures for processing. Before the video image is transmitted, it has to be converted back to analog so it can be received by an analog device like a DVR (digital video recorder) or video monitor. Traditional CCTV (closed-circuit television) surveillance systems use analog cameras.

However, there are newer hybrid models of CCTV surveillance systems that combine network IP and analog video.

A network camera, or internet protocol (IP) or network IP camera, is a digital video camera with a CCD sensor that can be used for surveillance and sends and receives data either through a computer network or the internet. However, a network camera does not have to be connected to the internet in order to work, it just needs to be connected to a private computer network or intranet system.

The main difference between these two cameras is the way in which the video signal is transmitted back to a screen or recording device. Network cameras transmit video images using the transmission and security features of the TCP/IP protocol via an Ethernet cable, whereas analog cameras transmit video signals as a voltage via a coaxial cable. Analog cameras do not have built-in web servers or encoders like network IP cameras do.

The potential benefits of using network cameras include:

• The two-way audio that comes from a single network cable allows a user to listen and speak to the person on the video
• Easy installation as this camera only needs one cable to operate
• This type of camera has better video resolution, which allows the camera to zoom in closer and still produce a clear image
• These cameras have multiple sensors and can contain three or four cameras in one, which means it can cover a much larger area
• Network cameras offer more features and functionality than analog cameras
• Network IP cameras are powered mostly over the same network cable through PoE (Power over Ethernet), not multiple
• Network cameras can use a wireless network, or Wi-Fi, to transmit video
• Ability to analyze images through the use of distributed artificial intelligence (DAI)
• Data transmission is secure via encryption and WPA, WPA2, TKIP or AES authentication methods
• Live video can be accessed remotely and viewed from any device
• If there is no dedicated power supply, the camera can be operated through an ethernet cable

The potential concerns that arise with the use of a network camera include:

• Privacy issues can arise
• The cost of network cameras can be a bit higher than traditional analog cameras
• Possible security compromise due to the camera’s ability to be accessed without a video recorder
• Network cameras can be more complicated to set up
• Since network IP cameras can sometimes be connected to the internet, there is a risk that they can be hacked

The potential benefits of using analog cameras include:

• The cost of an analog camera compared to a network IP camera is lower
• Ideal for small operations and small surveillance spaces
• Analog cameras are an ideal solution for instances where there is no existing network infrastructure
• Since analog cameras have been around longer than network cameras, there are more vendors to help install them and their systems
• Analog camera technology is getting better with high definition (HD) capability

The potential concerns that arise with the use of an analog camera include:

• There is an inability to run multiple cameras on the same cable as analog cameras each need a separate power source
• This camera requires multiple cables to operate, unlike a network IP that only needs one
• Potential interference, distortion, electrical noises and poor quality connection when the camera gets further away from the DVR
• The frame rates of analog cameras are lower than network IP cameras, so they are not ideal for locations that have a lot of movement
• There is no ability to digitally zoom the camera as you can with a network IP camera
• Analog cameras cover less are than network IP cameras do

There is no encryption capability on analog cameras, which means they are vulnerable to being hacked.

For more information visit the Larson Electronics website or call (800) 297-4352.