One of the most effective ways to protect your home or business from intruders is by installing security cameras. The size of your home or business, the number of people coming and going and any known security threats will help determine what type of security equipment you’ll need to be most prepared. One of the most common questions we get asked is the difference between IP surveillance and CCTV. We’ve put together this post to examine the differences and give you a better idea of which one might be right for you.

CCTV Explained

CCTV, or Closed Circuit Television, has been a standard in the security industry for years. CCTV works using an analogue video signal transferred via a cable. This is then recorded on a Digital Video Recorder. Reliable, generally less expensive to run, and perhaps less prone to technical malfunction due to its more basic setup, CCTV is a smart choice for businesses in which the finer details don’t always need to be caught on camera. An ideal situation for CCTV might be for surveillance in a facility where a security guard is on duty. Less precision may be required in such instances, as the guard need only be alerted to disturbances in or around the building.

Pros Of CCTV

  • Cheaper
  • Reliable
  • Simple to install and operate
  • HD analogue has increased picture quality

Cons Of CCTV

  • Inferior image quality compared to IP
  • Less coverage than IP
  • More cables
  • No encryption.

IP Surveillance Explained

Considered more “high-tech”, IP surveillance uses a digital network to store video data on hard drives. The images are higher definition and video can be easily saved and viewed via a computer or other connected devices. This adds a remote option to the security; the IP technology can transmit video to a person who is not currently onsite at the business property. IP surveillance may be the method of choice for a large site that already has a large digital network configured. A business which needs an especially high level of video quality may also want to opt for this type of camera security system.

Pros of IP Surveillance

  • Higher resolution images
  • Secure transmission
  • Less equipment and cables required
  • Analytics

Cons of IP Surveillance

  • Larger files can cause storage issues
  • More expensive to set up
  • More complicated to operate

IP VS CCTV

Ultimately, whether you choose an IP surveillance or CCTV system, you’ll have greater peace of mind knowing your home or business is protected. Still unsure which is right for you? The friendly and experienced team at Armitage Security will be happy to discuss your options and help you choose the best system for your home or business.