IP or analog video surveillance — which should you choose

When a client orders a video surveillance system, the first technical question is almost always the same: IP cameras or an analog system (AHD, CVI, TVI)? There's no universal answer — it depends on the site, the existing infrastructure, and how much you expect the system to grow over time.

How the two technologies work

IP cameras process the image right inside the camera and send it as a digital signal over a network cable (usually with PoE — power delivered over the same cable) or over Wi-Fi. The recording device (NVR) receives a ready digital stream, which allows for higher resolution and more flexible processing — zone-based motion detection, object recognition, integration with third-party software.

Analog systems (AHD/CVI/TVI) transmit the signal over a coaxial cable to a recording device (DVR), which digitizes it. These technologies have advanced significantly over the years and today support resolutions up to 4K – 8MP, but the "smart" processing still happens mainly in the DVR rather than in the camera.

Comparison of key factors

When we recommend an IP system

• A new site with no existing cabling — you'll be running cable either way, and a network cable gives you more flexibility down the line.
• You need high resolution at specific points — entrances, tills, a parking lot with license-plate recognition.
• You're planning to integrate with other systems — access control, analytics software, remote monitoring across several sites.

When an analog system is the smarter choice

• The site already has a coaxial installation from an older system — replacing just the cameras and the DVR is significantly cheaper than rewiring.
• A limited starting budget, with room to expand in stages.
• The distances between the cameras and the recording device are large, and running a new network would be difficult or costly.