Many misunderstandings are caused by the interpretation of the technical parameters, and as a result, interested parties cannot adequately navigate the sea of information and advertisements. Therefore, here and now I will try to draw attention to some important aspects.
Did you know that the vertical image resolution is halved when the image of traditional analog cameras is recorded digitally?
This is a characteristic inherited from television technology. If we do not do this, interlace will appear on the recorded image due to the movements, which can significantly impair recognizability. Thus, the image of an analog camera with a resolution of 510 lines, when digitally recorded, has a vertical resolution of only 255 pixels. Different tricks are used to keep the fixed image size, but they do not change the resolution of the fixed image.
As a result, high-resolution analog cameras do not or only meet the required safety requirements in the case of digital recording.
The solution is analog progressive scan cameras or digital (IP) cameras, because during digital recording, an image corresponding to the actual resolution can be recorded.
In the first case, the problem may not be simple, because you need a digital recorder that can process the image of the progressive scan camera. Among the fasteners, there are so few on the market. However, due to television technology, the maximum resolution is max. 525 lines that we cannot increase. Thus, analog cameras advertised with a resolution higher than this (e.g. 610 lines) do not provide an image with a resolution higher than 525 lines on the analog video output. This resolution only means the physical resolution of the used image splitter (CCD), which cannot be used in this way.
However, digital (IP) cameras can far exceed this thanks to direct digital processing. Currently available entry-level cameras have a vertical resolution of 480 pixels, but cameras with Full HD (1920x1080) resolution are also available, such as Axis and Vivotek products.
Prices are developing interestingly, the price of traditional analog cameras is approx. a third of the price of entry-level digital cameras, while the price of progressive scan cameras is slightly lower. Remember that processing (digitizing) the image of analog cameras means an additional cost (digitizing card), which is unnecessary in the case of a digital camera.
Did you know that a digital camera does not require a separate power supply or cabling to transmit the image?
A significant number of digital cameras are capable of receiving the power supply required for operation via the cable used for digital image transmission (PoE). This has almost only advantages, since the central uninterruptible power supply of the cameras and the recorder can be solved, disturbances in the images of remote cameras are eliminated, and a ground loop isolator is not necessary.
It can be a disadvantage of approx. A distance of 100 m is a limit, but this can be doubled or even doubled at minimal cost by installing a switch or other suitable device, which may also be suitable for remote power supply. As a result, the operational safety of the system is not reduced.
Did you know there are free digital video capture (CMS) software?
Indeed, we call such free, open source software and their reliability is well known. Few people know about them, even though their services reach, and in some cases exceed, those of the software available on the market. Their compatibility is not limited to one manufacturer's product, but widely supports devices from several manufacturers. One such solution is ZoneMinder, which we recommend to our customers.
In addition to the hardware, the purchase price only includes the costs of installation and configuration, in addition, these software are really free for business use. Their maintenance needs are minimal, although this requires a competent specialist.