Video Surveillance – analog or IP cameras?

Video Surveillance – analog or IP cameras?

More and more companies are installing video surveillance systems.  Businesses want to protect their property against thieves and outside cameras are a deterent.  And any person foolish enough to commit a crime with video cameras installed will surely be caught.  In addition to protecting the business from intruders, video surveillance is also installed inside the office to prevent employee theft and false workmans comp claims.  So, the question is not should you install video surveillance, it’s what kind of video surveillance, analog or IP?

Analog:  An analog video surveillance system connects analog cameras to a DVR.  A DVR is much like the DVR at your home, its an appliance that records video for easy playback.  DVRs come in 4-camera, 8-camera, 16-camera or 32-camera configurations.  How much video you want to store will decide on the size of the hard drive you purchase for the DVR.

Analog cameras use coax cable to connect back to the DVR.  This coax cable can distribute power as well as video so the analog cameras do not need to be plugged into a power source.

Analog cameras are very high quality…about as good as today’s IP cameras.  Analog video is not compressed, its sent down the coax cable as is, therefore, the image is not going to be getting any better with advances of technology, but it is still very good.  The DVR can be connected to the LAN for easy viewing from a networked PC or smartphone.

Analog video surveillance is still the most cost effective method of installing video surveillance and still represents over 85% of the video surveillance market.

IP:  An IP video surveillance system connects IP cameras to an NVR (network video recorder), a server on the network.

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The NVR can handle any number of IP cameras, you simply purchase IP camera licenses for the NVR.  As with the analog solution, the size of the hard drive will determine the amount of days you can keep your video.

IP cameras require data cabling (CAT5e or higher) to connect back to the NVR.  To supply power to the camera you will need a power over ethernet (POE) managed data switch.  Data has a range of 350′ so any IP camera that needs to be installed further than that will require another managed POE data switch in between the NVR and IP camera.

Today, in my opinion, analog and IP camera quality are basically the same.  As technology progresses IP cameras will be better than analog.

An IP system is already on the LAN so it also can easily be viewed from networked PCs and smartphones.

Both analog and IP video surveillance systems can work with your business phone system for added security at the entrances.  The NEC unified communications systems has a door box that allows visitors at the entrance of a building to press the door box to talk to employees on the phone system.  The employee can view the person at the door using their PC which is connected to the video surveillance system.  Once they have a positive ID on the person they can choose to press a button on their phone to let the person in.

Price:  IP video surveillance systems are typically 30% higher than analog camera systems.  If you want a really good video surveillance system at a good value, install an analog system.  If you want to preserve the investment for the future because you feel you will need better camera technology later, spend the extra money now and install an IP video surveillance system.

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Unified Communications Consultant

Unified Communications Consultant

Every company needs technology in order to run their business.  And with technology comes the necessary infrastructure.  Voice and data cabling to each workstation provides workers with connection to the outside world for phones and computers.  Do you go with CAT5e, CAT6 or fiber?  The phone system needs phone lines, the computers need internet access.  That will require a voice carrier and, in some cases, a different carrier for internet.  Computers, do you install a premised based server on a Local Area Network, or do you subscribe to a Cloud service and get all your Microsoft licenses in the Cloud?  If you want to protect your business property you will also want video surveillance.  Smartphones and remote workers will require connection to the office from the outside, and it better be a secure connection so no one can steal your business secrets.

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How does one go about finding all the pieces to this puzzle?  There are so many options out there, how do you know what is best for your business?

Let Connecticut Communications be your technology consultant, and we do it all for FREE.

Connecticut Communications represents all the major voice & internet carriers.  We can give you many different options and explain the pros and cons of each.  Should you go with copper analog lines, a PRI, or SIP Trunks?  For internet, is cable best, fiber, T-1 or a combination?  We also represent the best phone manufacturers, NEC and Star2Star.  We will explain what a hosted phones system is and if you should consider one.  IP phones, digital, or a hybrid of both?

Let the professionals at Connecticut Communications help you with your technology needs, the consultation and recommendations are free.  203-985-1000.

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Connecticut Communications June 2016 Newsletter

Connecticut Communications June 2016 Newsletter

What business doesn’t need a free Business Consultant?  Imagine if your business would qualify for a free technology consultation?  Well, that’s exactly what you get with Connecticut Communications.  We will send a qualified business consultant to your office to discuss technology and what products can enhance your business and maybe even save you money. 

Business Consultant – Free

Technology Consultation

Business owners are very good at running their business.  Wouldn’t it be great if you could hire a technology consultant to help you make your technology decisions for your business?

Connecticut Communications offers FREE technology consultations so you can make informative decisions.

– Hosted or Premised based PBX
– SIP, PRI or Analog Lines
– IP or Digital phones

– PC workstation or Cloud Computing
– CAT 5e, CAT 6 or Fiber Cabling
– In house server or Cloud backup
– In house Email or Office 365

– IP video surveillance or Analog
– In house storage or Cloud backup
– PTZ zoom or Fixed Camera Lens

Contact Connecticut Communications to schedule a free technology consultation.  Scott@ctcom.com or 203-985-1001.

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Maintenance

Our Maintenance customers enjoy free user training.  We want you to enjoy your phone system.

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Video Surveillance

Keep track of your office surroundings with high resolution video cameras.  Watch live from your smartphone!