Today there are two different ways that CCTV (closed circuit television) can work as just like the home entertainment devices, analogue is gradually being replaced by the sleeker digital options. Most analogue video recorders work using standard VCR tapes (like the Disney ones you still have) which work through either an ordinary VCR to record straight from the footage, or through unique time-lapse VCRs which can record for longer periods of time/user pre-defined periods. Meanwhile, digital CCTV system work just like digital cameras and store your videos in a data format on a hard drive, memory card, server or CD/DVD. But is the digital recorder really the better option in all departments? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? And which is the correct system for you?
A tape recorder (e.g. a security-time lapse VCR) can record in either black or white and in a variety of frame rates. If the frame rate is low enough you can record all the way up to 960 hours enabling you to capture 40 full days. However in this case the action will be very jerky and it will be harder to follow what’s happening. Furthermore, if you have multiple cameras hooked up to the same VCR (which you will likely want to do), you will only get to record film from each one for short intervals meaning it’s very possible you could miss vital information.
On the plus side, VCRs are very affordable, and also very reliable. Unlike a digital CCTV system, analogue will never crash or freeze and you’re not going to lose all of your data by accidentally deleting it or succumbing to a virus. However if you wish to keep old videos you’ll have to store them somewhere which can prove difficult. Over time videos can also wear out, meaning that you can lose old data.
A DVR however will capture a digital image for you meaning that the limit to the amount of video you can capture is limited only to the size of the hard drive or storage device. The fact that you can alter the resolution also means that you can fit more on without necessarily losing frame rate. Furthermore, by using a digital storage device you are able to record multiple tracks at once, meaning you can save data from multiple camera systems simultaneously. Some digital recorders also have in-built motion detection in the video encoder, meaning that the camera only records when it detects movement. This means there isn’t hours of wasted footage showing empty isles – only footage of actual customers and employees. Furthermore, once you’ve filled your storage device, you can then save only relevant segments of the footage, or transfer the whole lot to CDs, servers or external devices meaning there’s no problem regarding storage.
As a general rule then, small shop owners will likely only need analogue CCTV. It’s cheaper, and as they won’t need many cameras, or likely have to hang on to old videos, they can make do with slower frame rates and chunkier storage. For larger stores however with more employees, or other business dealing with sensitive or delicate information, digital recording is recommended for image quality and flexibility.
A tape recorder (e.g. a security-time lapse VCR) can record in either black or white and in a variety of frame rates. If the frame rate is low enough you can record all the way up to 960 hours enabling you to capture 40 full days. However in this case the action will be very jerky and it will be harder to follow what’s happening. Furthermore, if you have multiple cameras hooked up to the same VCR (which you will likely want to do), you will only get to record film from each one for short intervals meaning it’s very possible you could miss vital information.
On the plus side, VCRs are very affordable, and also very reliable. Unlike a digital CCTV system, analogue will never crash or freeze and you’re not going to lose all of your data by accidentally deleting it or succumbing to a virus. However if you wish to keep old videos you’ll have to store them somewhere which can prove difficult. Over time videos can also wear out, meaning that you can lose old data.
A DVR however will capture a digital image for you meaning that the limit to the amount of video you can capture is limited only to the size of the hard drive or storage device. The fact that you can alter the resolution also means that you can fit more on without necessarily losing frame rate. Furthermore, by using a digital storage device you are able to record multiple tracks at once, meaning you can save data from multiple camera systems simultaneously. Some digital recorders also have in-built motion detection in the video encoder, meaning that the camera only records when it detects movement. This means there isn’t hours of wasted footage showing empty isles – only footage of actual customers and employees. Furthermore, once you’ve filled your storage device, you can then save only relevant segments of the footage, or transfer the whole lot to CDs, servers or external devices meaning there’s no problem regarding storage.
As a general rule then, small shop owners will likely only need analogue CCTV. It’s cheaper, and as they won’t need many cameras, or likely have to hang on to old videos, they can make do with slower frame rates and chunkier storage. For larger stores however with more employees, or other business dealing with sensitive or delicate information, digital recording is recommended for image quality and flexibility.
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