Hybrid CCTV, Analogue CCTV or IP CCTV?

Decisions , decisions

If you are the  MD of a company who is about to upgrade or install a new CCTV surveillance system, you are probably going to be faced with some pretty tricky decisions on how you are going to approach the subject. The three main questions you will need to ask yourself are:

1)      Will I just upgrade my analogue cameras for new analogue cameras?

2)      Will I use a mixture of my existing equipment with new IP camera technology .i.e. a hybrid CCTV system?

3)      Will I go for the latest IP Megapixel camera solutions with a VMS recording platform?

CCTV solution? Too many choices?

The problem is there is no clear answer on this. Option 1 will almost certainly work out the cheapest at the point of installation and the results you will be able to achieve will mirror those of any previous analogue system you have used. The cameras and DVR may well have more features but overall system performance is going to be the same.

Hybrid CCTV.

Option 2 will give you a half way house solution. Hybrid systems combine analogue and IP cameras with the potential to record on either a DVR or an NVR but you will have to convert the cameras to either analogue or IP at the point of recording. Having said that some companies advocate the use of a Hybrid DVR that can handle both, but long term support for these products is distinctly questionable. However for the time being they provide a convenient bridge between the two technologies.

IP CCTV.

Finally option 3. This will mean a commitment to the future, but one that is still evolving. With megapixel cameras you really need to consider your companies network capabilities to ensure the frame rate and picture quality are maximised. It is inevitable that IP products will be the dominant force in the CCTV market place over the next 5 years. Analogue solutions have reached their ultimate performance levels and have become as cheap as they ever will do. The price of analogue will rise in time, which is why option 1 may not be the cheapest route in the long run. Conversely IP products will fall in price sharply and the options and ranges of the camera and recording products will be wide ranging.

Buy IP CCTV solution.

So as an MD the decision is defiantly not easy, proper advice should be sort to ensure that a supplier with an installation preference does not force you down the wrong route. So thought and consideration is now crucial as to the decision……… “Buy IP Camera solution”? probably …yes!

Cathexis Hybrid DVR

Cathexis catSytems.

Cathexis are a well established manufacturer of digital surveillance equipment. The catSystem range offers both hardware and software products that boast a level of flexibility not seen in many products of this type.

Customised for every requirement.

The catSystems have the ability to to allow the customer to specify a custom built recording suite that allows hybrid integration of both new and existing cameras, both analogue and IP.

H.264

Using H.264 compression technology high performance is assured. Used extensively in the retail and mining sectors, a powerful database engine allows real-time recording and monitoring. This, synchronised with audio allows customers to build a system exactly suited to their needs. This solution means no over specified unit costing more than is actually required allowing more budget to be spent on quality cameras as well.

Hybrid DVR solution.

The Cathexis DVR has an application to meet every need it has been engineered for stability and reliability and the fault monitoring side of the product with full system logging is a godsend for installers. It is highly net-workable for hybrid options and remote monitoring and maintenance gives CCTV control staff high levels of functionality through advanced CCTV software.

Integrated CCTV.

Finally third party integration has been considered a must in the the design of this product allowing fire systems, access control and EPOS all to be seamlessly integrated. A robust product designed for blue chip companies can also be used by medium sized business as well. A visit to the website would not go amiss.