How does a security camera system work?

There are two types security cameras systems: analog and IP. Sometimes referred to as network cameras. This is how they work. It also explains the main differences between IP and analog surveillance systems.

Analog surveillance systems:

The majority of security cameras currently on the market are analog security camera that can be connected to a digital recorder. This type of camera system consists of a lens and DSP chip (digital signals processing chip). The DVR (digital visual recorder) uses the cameras to view the camera. Transmission cables connect the cameras to the DVR. There are many cables available, but all will have a direct connection to the DVR. This system’s heart is the DVR. The DVR is the security digital video recorder. It receives video from the camera and compresses it. Many DVRs can also convert analog video to digital format, and stream the video over the Internet using a built-in webserver. The DVR is responsible in this case for all video from the cameras. The DVR, which is also responsible for motion detection, scheduling, alarm inputs, notifications and other functions, is an additional inteligence behind each camera.

This type of surveillance system is generally less expensive, as the cameras are just cameras, and the DVR is the only unit that does all the gruntwork.

IP Surveillance systems:

IP (or network security camera system) are different than analog systems, as each camera performs the same job as the DVR. An IP camera is basically a standard security camera. It can compress video, convert it to digital format, and stream it over the ethernet. Each camera has its own DVR. Many IP cameras have SD card slots that allow them to store video directly on an SD card. An NVR (network-video recorder) is sometimes used to connect IP cameras. The camera can stream video to an NVR (network video recorder) over a network. This will allow the camera to convert the video to digital at the camera. IP cameras offer the advantage of being able to add more cameras to the network, and higher resolutions than standard analog surveillance systems.

IP camera systems face many challenges. IP cameras offer higher resolution, which means more storage and bandwidth is required. They are also more expensive because each camera acts as a DVR, and must have its own webserver. Only 10% of surveillance systems currently use IP technology. IP cameras systems will eventually take over the CCTV market share when technology is able solve bandwidth, storage, and cost problems.