Analog Cameras -vs- Digital Network Cameras:

The almost all cameras capture video as an analog signal. The main difference between Analog Cameras and Network Cameras is where the conversion to digital takes place.  Video is commonly converted to digital to gain  the substantial advantages of digital signal processing and sometimes digital transport.

Analog Cameras send their video over a dedicated wire as an analog signal and the conversion to digital for all cameras is done on one card in the Digital Video Recorder (DVR). The DVR also has one Network Interface to allow remote-view of the cams over the LAN or Internet. As you can imagine, there are significant cost-advantages to the economies-of-scale of digitizing all cams on one card and having only one network interface.

The Analog Camera connection architecture has a been around for a long time and is still by far the most common.  This is because it is difficult to beat the cost and reliability of a wire. Thus, Analog Cameras and a DVR make sense when you can economically get wires directly to all cameras from the DVR.

Network Cameras convert their video to digital and send it through a network interface on each camera. This approach allows you to use any existing data network to connect the cameras to the Network Video Recorder (NVR).  Network cameras can also use wireless data networks or the Internet, therefore providing virtually unrestricted location flexibility.

However, this flexibility comes at a premium cost due to the replication of digital & network electronics in each camera AND the fact that data networks are more expensive than a wire.  There is also a potential for decreased reliability since wires rarely fail and network issues are relatively common, unless the network is professionally managed. Loading a network down with demanding video traffic can also have adverse impacts on the network unless carefully engineered and managed. Thus, Network Cameras and a NVR make sense when few cameras can be economically direct-wired.

A Hybrid Video Recorder (HVR) can support both Analog Cameras -AND- Network Cameras, providing the best combination of flexibility -AND- economics for a small premium over a DVR/NVR. Thus, a HVR makes sense when most cameras can be economically direct-wired, but some cameras cannot.

Wiring Architectures:

=> Camera wiring can be protected by:
- Concealment above drop ceilings or in attics
- Direct burial in a shallow trench
- Fencing poles & posts
- PVC, metallic, flexible, watertight, and/or rigid conduit
- Aerial placement out of reach between two telephone poles or posts

Direct-wired connections are most economical when the cable runs are short and have no obstructions. However, cabling can be economically run thousands of feet if there are no significant obstructions.

=> Direct-wired connections can become expensive when:
- Cement sidewalks and/or curbs must be saw cut through
- Asphalt walkways driveways and/or parking lots must be saw cut through
- Large ponds, rivers, or lakes must be crossed or avoided
- Longer buried runs or aerial runs are required

When many of the camera connections face expensive obstructions, a digital network connection architecture may prove more economical. A Hybrid architecture combining the best of both approaches is optimal when direct wiring is a economically viable for most cams, with few cams facing expensive obstructions.

The TeleNavigators Difference:

Our ability to implement all of the above Connection and Wiring Architectures and consultative approach helps customers maximize the effectiveness of our solutions for a given cost investment.

Please Contact Us Now for a free consult on how we can help you obtain the most cost-effective solution.