IP cameras/DVR technology systems – a guide

When comparing DVR’s and IP camera recording technologies, there are some things that both will do, although the methods are entirely different. In this guide, we will briefly cover the main differences, although in practical application, they are much larger than this short guide can depict.

DVR’s have been around for years now, and are reliable tried-and-true security recording  devices that need very little training on use, maintenance, or operation. Most all will hook up to a PC, and live or remote viewing can be done over a LAN or the Internet without too much trouble. DVR’s are very user friendly, and do not require a dedicated PC running the system. Since they are designed as a purely security device, they are capable of running 24/7 for months or years at a time, and provide video archive on an as-needed basis.  Internal DVR security features prevent common forms of tampering, and can render multiple copies of archive footage for law-enforcement purposes.

For many of our customers, the DVR is the best solution. What is almost a set-it-and-forget-it recorder, the storage archive will automatically overwrite the oldest video when it becomes full. If the recorder was set to hold a week of video archive, it will contain the latest week of footage without regular user input of the controls. In many small businesses, the DVR is a perfect solution just because it does NOT require daily maintenance like the old VCR tape systems of the past.

While the DVR is well suited for most security camera applications, it does have it’s limiting factors, the foremost being the quality of archived footage. DVR’s are analog, and are limited in recording resolution capabilities to 520 TV Lines. (TVL) In areas where the depth of field is short, or identification of persons is not critical, DVR’s can deliver a good image quality in real-time 30 frames-per-second. As an example, most all casinos use DVR’s to monitor gaming areas. A second drawback is that all cameras must be hardwired back to the DVR and head end equipment. Most times, this is not a huge problem, but larger buildings or facilities with multiple buildings will drive up the cost of installation simply from running wire to every camera outpost.

In comparison, IP cameras and recording technology addresses the drawbacks of analog DVR’s. IP cameras still require a power source, but it’s method of storing or transmitting the video is adaptable to the customer’s already existing computer network infrastructure.
Since the transmission of the video is in an IP ready format, the same technology that wireless or PC users take for everyday use is readily adaptable to the video of the camera. If you have a wired or even a wireless computer network in your home or business, adding IP cameras is fairly simple to do, and does NOT require a separate wired network like the DVR.

With an IP camera, three types of recording hierarchy are possible: “Server”, “PC’, and “Edge” Under that comes the choices of wired or wireless transmission from the camera to the user, and finally, LAN or Internet access to the camera or video archive. For most practical purposes, “PC” and “Server” are the same thing, but a server will handle more cameras and client-operators of the system than a PC. PC’s are fine if you only have 1 or 2 cameras to view, but past that, the load on the processor dictates that a PC running many cameras will need to have the same internal horsepower as a server would. In short, if it’s more than 2 cameras, get the Server, or use the alternative, called “Edge” recording technology.

“Edge” recording is a literal description of how the system works. In this situation, all the cameras have the recording harddrive mounted AT the camera. From there, either a wired or wireless bridge is used to allow a PC user to access the camera when needed. All software is contained at the camera, meaning that a dedicated PC or server running 24/7 is not required. In the simplest form, you could hook up a laptop to the IP Edge recording camera and download what you wanted, then unhook the laptop and let the camera continue on by itself. Edge recording does not use ANY bandwidth on the network unless a user is logged into it. For many business operations, “edge” recording is the perfect answer to IP video without taking up available corporate network bandwith with video camera feeds.

The biggest advantage above all with IP cameras, is image quality. While a DVR is limited to 520 TVL resolution, IP cameras start at 520TVL resolution and go up from there in terms of image quality and clarity. With IP and Mega-pixel camera technology now available, we have seen astounding results of video quality that was just not possible with DVR’s or for that matter, any camera system only a few short years ago.

Sanyo’s new 4 mega-pixel security camera is quite honestly, the BEST security camera we have ever offered to our customers. Using edge recording and software in the camera, we have been able to deploy these units in very remote places, without the need for a DVR or hardwiring everything back to the head end. Archive video quality is excellent, with resolutions that include full HD 1080p up to 4 mega-pixel, 2218X1788 ! What this means for our customers security camera systems is facial recognition at a distance, ability to count currency denominations, and yes, license plates of passing cars!

In today’s security camera system, there is no substitute for archive video image quality. While DVR’s are good, IP is better….. and believe it or not, the costs are comparable between the two. Since edge recording cameras do not require the intensive labor to home-run all the wiring, and do not require a DVR, final installed costs are very justifiable when you consider that you are getting 9 times the picture over analog.

But that’s where we come in at, because your FREE system consultation is just a phone call away. Ask for a demo, and we will be happy to show you the difference between DVR’s and IP camera technology. There is no obligation to buy, but once you see for yourself the differences, you will be able to make the purchase decision that’s just right for you.

We wouldn’t want it any other way.