Why upgrade your Analog CCTV to a Digital HD and PoE system

Unlike in the consumer market, which has nearly completely transitioned to the use of high definition technology, closed circuit television systems (CCTV) are lagging behind.

Typically used for security or traffic camera systems, CCTVs continue to use analog technology that record images that look similar to those on consumer televisions more than 15 years ago. If you still have a TV from that era or older, you understand what we mean.

But why has this sector not adopted the high definition technology that is readily available everywhere else?

The reason comes down to infrastructure. It’s easy for a consumer to buy an HD TV and simply plug it in because their cable company has already invested in the upgraded infrastructure. But it’s a huge expense to upgrade an entire traffic camera system or a surveillance system in an older building. These analog NTSC systems were designed well before the digital age. Often, when a single camera needs to be replaced in a CCTV system, it’s simpler to opt for an analog one that’s compatible with the rest of the system and simply put connects to the cable at the pole or mount.  But there are several major advantages to upgrading from a legacy TV format to a Power on Ethernet (PoE) system or IP camera.

A HD PoE system gives you far better resolution than an analog system. Every image has more pixels per inch than the images from a legacy system. And more pixels means a clearer picture, allowing you to see greater detail in every single image. This means you get a cleaner digitally zoomed image. With an NTSC system, a zoomed-in image becomes pixilated and provides less, if any, useful data.

And by seeing longer distances, an HD camera system needs fewer cameras than a legacy system.

OSI CCTV has a large selection of CCTV IP Cameras and NVRs with Built-in Poe as well HDCVI Cameras, HDTVI Cameras, Complete CCTV Systems, DVRs, Access Control, and Wiring and Accessories. Visit www.OSICCTV.com today! We offer Free Shipping to anywhere in North America with orders over $200, Free Technical Support and have been in business for over 45 Years assuring you that we will always be around to help you with any questions you may have about your product in the future.

Need expert advice? Give us a call!

If you have any questions related to this blog post or need expert advice in choosing the right product, call us Toll Free at 1.855.815.CCTV(2288) or shoot us off an email at sales@osicctv.com. Don’t worry we won’t pressure you, we’re just here to help!

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http://www.osicctv.com

PROs & CONs of PoE Cameras

Power over Ethernet technology is becoming increasingly popular with businesses as an easy means to update their IT, communications and office infrastructure.

It allows the easy addition of devices to make the day to day running of a business much simpler. Amongst other things it can be used for:

• IP telephones allowing extra staff to be recruited and work stations to be installed without a complicated rewiring of an existing telephone system.
• Extra WiFi access points to install work stations in new sites within a building.
• Thermometer installations to ensure fridges and freezers run at a constant temperature in retail stores, alerting the manager when a deviation occurs.

Other devices includes cash tills, emergency call buttons, PA systems, clocks, access control equipment but our main interest here is of course the use of PoE for IP CCTV cameras so just what are the advantages of this technology over analogue, HD-SDI and even standard IP….

PROs

1. PoE cameras save you installation time – they only require a single network cable to operate.
2. PoE cameras save you money on cabling – network cable is comparatively cheap compared to RG59 copper cable.
3. PoE cameras are easy to power as they are not sensitive to overvoltage.
4. PoE cameras autodetect if the network supports PoE with no extra configuration.
5. PoE cameras can use the existing IT network so are an easy addition to a building’s infrastructure.
6. PoE cameras are the latest technology so they are available in high definition quality.
7. A central power source allows quick detection of a power failure and makes a UPS back up device easier to install.

CONs

1. As a new technology, there are limited styles of CCTV camera available.
2. As you would expect new technology also means they are more expensive than analogue CCTV cameras.
3. As they run on a network they require some networking knowledge for set up.
4. They can suffer from network interruptions or delays.
5. There is no worldwide IP standard as yet though ONVIF standards are becoming more prevalent.
6. PoE networks can supply up to 350mA at the camera end so may struggle with some thirstier IR and PTZ cameras.
7. Some older networks are not equipped to support PoE cameras.

OSI CCTV has a large selection of CCTV IP Cameras and NVRs with Built-in Poe as well HDCVI Cameras, HDTVI Cameras, Complete CCTV Systems, DVRs, Access Control, and Wiring and Accessories. Visit www.OSICCTV.com today! We offer Free Shipping to anywhere in North America with orders over $200, Free Technical Support and have been in business for over 45 Years assuring you that we will always be around to help you with any questions you may have about your product in the future.

Need expert advice? Give us a call!

If you have any questions related to this blog post or need expert advice in choosing the right product, call us Toll Free at 1.855.815.CCTV(2288) or shoot us off an email at sales@osicctv.com. Don’t worry we won’t pressure you, we’re just here to help!

Source:

http://www.osicctv.com

What is Power-over-Ethernet?

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a way to power cameras with an Ethernet cord, which also gives the camera direct network access. Along with providing stable network connections, PoE also makes installation easier by only requiring one cable.

How Power over Ethernet Works

PoE works by using a single network cable (including Cat-5, Cat-5e, or Cat-6) for both power and network connections. IP cameras wired for PoE have a special power switch in them which can use the power sent over the Ethernet cord, while cameras without this switch will simply get the network connection and no power.

Network connectivity is important to surveillance systems if you’re saving video files on an NVR or using the newer cloud storage. Unlike wireless connections, PoE ensures your IP cameras are always connected. This means your camera will reliably be able to send video files to your NVR, and direct connections can be faster than wireless connections.

There are two types of PoE, standard PoE and PoE+. The standard type of PoE found on most IP cameras, IEEE 802.3af, can send up to 15 watts of electricity. This amount of power is not enough for PTZ cameras or cameras with fans and heaters for outdoor use, but is enough to power basic IP surveillance cameras. PoE+, IEEE 802.3at, provides double the amount of power at 30 watts for more powerful cameras, and requires a different kind of switch than standard PoE.

If you have older cameras you don’t want to replace but you do want the advantages of PoE, you can use a PoE Splitter to convert a camera’s power and data supply. Most routers have a small number of ports, so if you need to connect large numbers of cameras to your system, or connect other devices, you may need a PoE Switch.

How Power over Ethernet Can Help You

PoE cameras make the installation process easier by requiring only one cable. This gives you more flexibility in camera placement, and prevents expensive electrical work to move or install a power outlet near the camera.

PoE cameras are available in every camera type including dome, fixed, HD, and more. Use your PoE cameras to:

• Monitor industrial sites, including warehouses and construction sites
• Stay connected to your home, apartment complex, or rental house
• Observe shopping habits, manage wait times, and prevent theft in retail stores
• Keep an eye on your business or office

If your cameras use PoE+, you will need special PoE+ Midspans or Switches to provide your camera with enough power.

OSI CCTV has a large selection of CCTV IP Cameras and NVRs with Built-in Poe as well HDCVI Cameras, HDTVI Cameras, Complete CCTV Systems, DVRs, Access Control, and Wiring and Accessories. Visit www.OSICCTV.com today! We offer Free Shipping to anywhere in North America with orders over $200, Free Technical Support and have been in business for over 45 Years assuring you that we will always be around to help you with any questions you may have about your product in the future.

Need expert advice? Give us a call!

If you have any questions related to this blog post or need expert advice in choosing the right product, call us Toll Free at 1.855.815.CCTV(2288) or shoot us off an email at sales@osicctv.com. Don’t worry we won’t pressure you, we’re just here to help!

Source:

http://www.osicctv.com

 

Why Use PoE (Power-Over Ethernet) for my Video Surveillance System?

Specifying Power over Ethernet brings many advantages to an installation:

Time and cost savings – by reducing the time and expense of having electrical power cabling installed.  Network cables do not require a qualified electrician to fit them, and can be located anywhere.

Flexibility – without being tethered to an electrical outlet, devices such as IP cameras and wireless access points can be located wherever they are needed most, and repositioned easily if required.

Safety – POE delivery is intelligent, and designed to protect network equipment from overload, underpowering, or incorrect installation.

Reliability – POE power comes from a central and universally compatible source, rather than a collection of distributed wall adapters.  It can be backed-up by an uninterruptible power supply, or controlled to easily disable or reset devices.

Scalability – having power available on the network means that installation and distribution of network connections is simple and effective.

OSI CCTV has a large selection of CCTV IP Cameras and NVRs with Built-in Poe as well Complete CCTV Systems, DVRs, Access Control, and Wiring and Accessories. Visit www.OSICCTV.com today! We offer Free Shipping to anywhere in North America with orders over $200, Free Technical Support and have been in business for over 45 Years assuring you that we will always be around to help you with any questions you may have about your product in the future.

Give yourself peace of mind! Protect your home, school, hotel or business with a CCTV System!

OSI CCTV has a large selection of CCTV products including Complete CCTV Systems, CCTV Cameras, DVRs, NVRs, Video Intercom Systems, Access Control, and Wiring and Accessories.

Need expert advice? Give us a call!

If you have any questions related to this blog post or need expert advice in choosing the right product, call us Toll Free at 1.855.815.CCTV(2288) or shoot us off an email at sales@osicctv.com. Don’t worry we won’t pressure you, we’re just here to help!

Source:

http://www.osicctv.com

What Is H.264 Video Compression?

Aventura Technologies introduced H.264 video compression algorithm in the year 2003 for the video security industry. It has become the standard for almost all security manufacturers, this video format in now widely used and accepted by corporate offices, government offices and even in military.

H.264 take a fully optimized algorithm that is based on Digital Signal Processor (DSP) technology. The recording and display of audio and video are all in real time with full synchronization in both types. Video content is directly transmitted from the video card to the screen frame buffer while the compressed stream data is sent to host’s computer memory. This transmission procedure doesn’t require any intervention from the hosted computer and as a result it saves resources of computer’s processor. Even the results of images and sound are immaculate no matter how many channels are connected for monitoring or reviewing.

If compared to the previous generation called MPEG4 and MPEG2 technologies, the new highly advanced H.264 video quality is notably better. It is also surprising to know that H.264 format is highly enhanced; the file size is 25% smaller than of MPEG4 and 50% smaller than MPEG2, which is exponentially smaller than of MJPEG.

What are the benefits of h.264 video compression in CCTV system?

H.264 CCTV (DVR / NVR) Digital Video / Network Video Recorders are mainly used on almost every CCTV surveillance systems. They are used by connecting to the existing analog cameras and after that they are configured with the Internet Protocol (IP) address on the remote camera to scan the network of the IP signal on the remote cameras and connect to the systems. These CCTV H.264 (DVR / NVR) Digital Video / Network Video Recorders work on Windows and Mac and can be configured till 64 cameras in Network and Analog configurations.

Many H.264 CCTV (NVR) Network Video Recorders can be used by the users application.

 

Give yourself peace of mind! Protect your home, school, hotel or business with a CCTV System!

OSI CCTV has a large selection of CCTV products including Complete CCTV Systems, CCTV Cameras, DVRs, NVRs, Video Intercom Systems, Access Control, and Wiring and Accessories.

Need expert advice? Give us a call!

If you have any questions related to this blog post or need expert advice in choosing the right product, call us Toll Free at 1.855.815.CCTV(2288) or shoot us off an email at sales@osicctv.com. Don’t worry we won’t pressure you, we’re just here to help!

Source:

http://www.osicctv.com

What to consider when buying outdoor IP Camera?

Why IP camera?

IP or Internet Protocol cameras are web cams or network cameras used for surveillance introduced in 1990s. They can be directly plugged to the router to transmit video signals. They transmit high resolution videos at fast speed over a computer network. One can also view videos from a remote location through internet. How cool is that?

How to choose?

Take care of the following considerations while choosing an IP camera:

Form factor: It refers to the technical design or build of the camera. There are various categories available depending on personalized need of individuals ranging from dome camera with concealed lens angle to one with high optical zoom and wider fields of view. Weatherproof cameras are also available for outdoor needs.

Observation skills: A camera sees everything but it must see it clearly. Specifications like field of view and resolution matter a great deal in hd surveillance system. Field of view decides how much of a place you can see at once. With small premises, it’s not much of a problem but huge places do require cameras with larger fields of view. Importance of resolution depends on how closely you want to observe. If you just want to have a rough outline of what’s going on then no worries or otherwise you can consider a high resolution IP camera so that you can zoom in to find out the face of the jewel thief.

Eye in the dark: What happens when the lights are out? Don’t you want to see things in the dark? Well, if you buy an IP camera with full day/night mode functionality then you can count on this little owl. These cameras use infrared technology to capture clear and crisp images even in the night and provide greater qualities in black and white output.

Bandwidth of the network: It’s a simple trade off – if you want to transmit high resolution videos, you have to spend more bucks on the network bandwidth. The cost increases with the video quality so make sure that you put your money where your camera is!

 

Power and network troubles: Network cameras these days receive power from the Ethernet cable aka POE (Power Over Ethernet) which is quite convenient. As for the troubles you may receive with your IP camera, most of them are network related and if you happen to know simple networking then you can easily rectify them or ask your network administrator to help you. Present day security employing such cameras is definitely an effective and efficient method to harness safety for ones priced and precious possessions.

Give yourself peace of mind! Protect your home, school, hotel or business with a CCTV System!

OSI CCTV has a large selection of CCTV products including Complete CCTV Systems, CCTV Cameras, DVRs, NVRs, Video Intercom Systems, Access Control, and Wiring and Accessories.

Need expert advice? Give us a call!

If you have any questions related to this blog post or need expert advice in choosing the right product, call us Toll Free at 1.855.815.CCTV(2288) or shoot us off an email at sales@osicctv.com. Don’t worry we won’t pressure you, we’re just here to help!

Source:

http://www.osicctv.com