IP Cameras - Downsides
As noted previously, IP cameras once provided some negatives. In order of significance, some of the "issues" with IP technology included... time sensitive changes have been noted below in green.
... High Cost. Initial purchase cost of standard IP cameras was on
the order of 2-4x the cost of "equivalent" analog counterparts.
Equivalent in quotes because some may argue, "There is no
such thing." We suggest equivalent resolution is the best
definition of "equivalent."
Today, MPIP cameras provide 6 to 25 times the resolution of
analog cameras while the cost adder has been reduced to
something in the range of 20-30%.
... Expensive Recording. While a typical 16 channel DVR
(complete with software and ample storage space to maintain
30-45 of recorded history on 16 cameras may be in the $3K-4K
range an "equivalent" NVR (Network Video Recorder) can easily
be priced in the $6-10K range and this DOES NOT include
software.
Today, the cost of PC-Based NVR technology is identical to a PC-
Based DVR. One-time PC-Based software license cost is
something in the range of about $200 per camera. On a
percentage-wise basis, this value is something in the range of
10-15% of the overall system cost.
On the stand-alone (embedded) machine side of things, IP
Technology is almost identical to analog. Additionally seldom is
there any added license fees or remote client expenses.
... High Cost. Initial purchase cost of standard IP cameras was on
the order of 2-4x the cost of "equivalent" analog counterparts.
Equivalent in quotes because some may argue, "There is no
such thing." We suggest equivalent resolution is the best
definition of "equivalent."
Today, MPIP cameras provide 6 to 25 times the resolution of
analog cameras while the cost adder has been reduced to
something in the range of 20-30%.
... Expensive Recording. While a typical 16 channel DVR
(complete with software and ample storage space to maintain
30-45 of recorded history on 16 cameras may be in the $3K-4K
range an "equivalent" NVR (Network Video Recorder) can easily
be priced in the $6-10K range and this DOES NOT include
software.
Today, the cost of PC-Based NVR technology is identical to a PC-
Based DVR. One-time PC-Based software license cost is
something in the range of about $200 per camera. On a
percentage-wise basis, this value is something in the range of
10-15% of the overall system cost.
On the stand-alone (embedded) machine side of things, IP
Technology is almost identical to analog. Additionally seldom is
there any added license fees or remote client expenses.
... Network Issues. IP advocates are quick to point out that
businesses often have computer networks in place and
therefore no additional cabling or hardware is needed.
However, each camera requires a port to plug into the switch,
so more or bigger switches may need to be purchased. POE
power over Ethernet) adapters may need to be added. If the
existing network will not handle the load the "advocate's" sales
point quickly turns to, "...expensive hardware upgrades that are
necessary to comply with specification."
While it may be possible (without significant degradation) to
implement a few MPIP cameras on an existing network a full-
compliment of IP cameras will still cause problems. Honestly, this
is not really a problem with the technology it was more a problem
with the early advocates of IP (who probably didn't care much
about any negative effects) - see next item.
... Network Bandwidth. Is a critical consideration almost
universally ignored by the "advocates" of IP ONLY
solutions. One cannot expect the addition of a dozen or more
cameras (each providing about 700-750 Kbps of bandwidth
demand - double that if audio is included) to an existing IT
network without resulting in a significant slowdown in network
data transmission rate. Its little wonder why many companies -
after everyone's Internet access and e-mail slows to a snail's
crawl - end up installing an entirely separate network system
just to handle their IP video. The inclusion of Mega-Pixel IP
cameras only makes the problem worse!
Recent advances in most NVR's - the addition of a second
Network Interface Controller (NIC) - have virtually eliminated this
previously valid concern. Today, video bandwidth demand is "off-
loaded" to a second network (outside the range of the "company
network") while the server passes minimal bandwidth (2-5 mbps)
to client PC's for the purposes of monitoring and/or system
administration.
businesses often have computer networks in place and
therefore no additional cabling or hardware is needed.
However, each camera requires a port to plug into the switch,
so more or bigger switches may need to be purchased. POE
power over Ethernet) adapters may need to be added. If the
existing network will not handle the load the "advocate's" sales
point quickly turns to, "...expensive hardware upgrades that are
necessary to comply with specification."
While it may be possible (without significant degradation) to
implement a few MPIP cameras on an existing network a full-
compliment of IP cameras will still cause problems. Honestly, this
is not really a problem with the technology it was more a problem
with the early advocates of IP (who probably didn't care much
about any negative effects) - see next item.
... Network Bandwidth. Is a critical consideration almost
universally ignored by the "advocates" of IP ONLY
solutions. One cannot expect the addition of a dozen or more
cameras (each providing about 700-750 Kbps of bandwidth
demand - double that if audio is included) to an existing IT
network without resulting in a significant slowdown in network
data transmission rate. Its little wonder why many companies -
after everyone's Internet access and e-mail slows to a snail's
crawl - end up installing an entirely separate network system
just to handle their IP video. The inclusion of Mega-Pixel IP
cameras only makes the problem worse!
Recent advances in most NVR's - the addition of a second
Network Interface Controller (NIC) - have virtually eliminated this
previously valid concern. Today, video bandwidth demand is "off-
loaded" to a second network (outside the range of the "company
network") while the server passes minimal bandwidth (2-5 mbps)
to client PC's for the purposes of monitoring and/or system
administration.
NEXT PAGE - MegaPixel IP Cameras...
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