IP CCTV Systems

Analogue systems capture an image and transmit it via a cable to the recorder, which digitises and stores it on a hard drive. The IP system differs from the analogue in that the image recorded by the camera is encoded and transmitted over an internet protocol (IP) as a digital stream, hence the term IP. With this system, no conversion occurs, unlike the analogue system. The IP system uses a Network Video Recorder (NVR), ensuring that all cameras connected to the system function properly.

Traditionally, image quality is superior on an IP system. This is no longer the case, as there are now Ultra-High-Definition 4 K analogue cameras and recorders.

The NVR offers greater flexibility than the DVR; each camera is an independent unit that can be viewed and controlled, and recordings can be individually stored. The IP system offers greater security than the analogue system because it encrypts all files before storage, making it difficult to access the recorded data without the login details.