10 Reasons To Switch From Analog Cameras And DVRs To IP Cameras And NVRs

By Jay Krone, managing director of LenovoEMC

Video surveillance is everywhere today, from private home installations to massive enterprise
deployments. And while the migration from analog to IP has been on the rise for several years, many
companies of all sizes and shapes have been hesitant to make the leap to an IP-based video surveillance
installation. Using HD cameras, IP-based systems bring the inherent advantages of network storage to
video surveillance as well as the overall storage needs of a business.

There are the issues of the initial cost, the need for some technical understanding, and perhaps other
concerns, but, really, why haven’t more companies made the switch to an IP-based video surveillance
system?

Here are 10 reasons why now is the perfect time for companies to switch from legacy analog cameras
and DVR systems to HD cameras and dedicated network video recorders (NVRs) for all their video
surveillance needs.

1. Analog End Of Life — Low-definition analog camera systems and DVRs are beginning to reach their
end of life. This is largely because of competitively priced, HD -definition IP cameras and NVRs that use
advanced hard drives designed for professional use with a backup design commonly known as RAID
(redundant array of independent disks). With RAID, data is spread across multiple HDDs. If one drive
fails, the files have been backed up on another hard drive. Additionally, the maintenance expenditures
required to support legacy video hardware create an urgency to upgrade equipment.

2. Ease Of Installation — A common misconception is that NAS (network attached storage)-based

installations are much more complex than DVR-based. While that may have been true in the past,
manufacturers have recently promoted features like universal plug-and-play camera recognition to
make NVR installations as simple as possible. In addition, as manufacturers design new IP cameras, ease
of installation is a primary feature.

3. Existing Infrastructure Use During Switch — Because a lot of companies already have an analog
system in place and want to maximize their existing investments, manufacturers have created solutions,
like encoders, to support hybrid environments. As analog/DVR components start to fail or reach end of
life, users can switch out components one at a time to begin the upgrade to an IP camera and NVR
installation. This hybrid environment technique maximizes companies’ initial investments and provides
them the flexibility of funding their video surveillance upgrade over time.

4. Cost-effectiveness — Another misconception is that IP camera and NVR deployments are

prohibitively expensive. A DVR may be cheaper initially than an NVR, but the NVR is no “one-trick pony”
— it not only can manage the video surveillance requirements of a company, it also can operate as the
foundation for the overall storage and data management needs of a work group, remote location, or
stand-alone business. And as prices of IP cameras continue to drop, HD cameras bring significantly
improved capabilities.

5. Scalability — As you start adding cameras to an existing video surveillance system, the migration to IP
cameras is the most logical choice. Network-IP cameras can be added to an installation using existing
analog cameras, thereby allowing a company to migrate over time to today’s HD standard rather than
staying with yesterday’s outdated solutions.

6. Reliability/Durability — NAS-based, IP-video surveillance systems have proven to be faster, more

reliable, and every bit as durable as older systems utilizing DVRs and analog cameras. When you
consider all of the inherent advantages of NVRs with RAID data management and professional hard
drives, the move to NVRs combined with IP cameras makes even more sense.

7. Manageability — The ability to access and view video files from any location in the world via mobile
apps and remote clouds (assuming an Internet connection) is an obvious benefit of an IP-based video
surveillance storage solution.

8. Image Quality Enhancements — More and more affordable high-definition IP security cameras are
available in the market. These cameras provide better resolution, expanded surveillance environments,
and highly detailed images. And after all, doesn’t everything look better in HD — including your video
surveillance security files?

9. Regulatory Compliance — Due to security concerns and a higher compliance environment on a global
level, tighter regulations have been imposed on a variety of industries. Depending on an industry’s
regulatory standards, a company may face considerable surveillance video retention demands. That can
be costly and danger-prone with yesterday’s onsite analog approach to video surveillance. It’s easier
than you think to utilize local and remote network storage for retention requirements and peace of
mind.

10. Expanding Capabilities/Features— Video surveillance features are continuing to expand, enabled by
private cloud, remote video apps, and analytics to enhance solutions. IP cameras can offer a range of
functions from basic to advanced analytics in almost any way imaginable. In addition, low-cost storage
options like hosted video make network video a much more affordable option than location-based
analog solutions.

Video surveillance technology is rapidly expanding and now is the time to find your way out of analog
and into the promised land of IP-based security systems. The move will help optimize business
efficiency, reduce costs, and increase your customers’ satisfaction.