What is a Hybrid Surveillance System
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 10:53 — Brian - 2 comments
With so many new video surveillance technologies available in the last few years, many people are having difficulty deciding if they should abandon analog systems in favor of the newer IP technology. IP provides so many benefits such as high-definition megapixel that you just can’t get with analog. Yet many organizations have significant investment in analog and analog camera prices have dropped radically in price.
Market predictions that IP will completely replace analog in 3-5 years leaves those with analog systems wondering if they are simply destined to live in the past.
Luckily there is an answer that provides the best of both worlds. Hybrid video recorders are unique solutions that are designed to support both types of cameras, and many of the newer hybrid systems also allow you to take full advantage of the new high-definition megapixel, 180-degree and 360-degree formats while allowing you to keep your prior investment in analog cameras.
By industry definition “Hybrid” video systems combine both analog video inputs, and IP video inputs in the same unit. This gives users the ability to connect all their existing cameras and then add IP cameras when it makes sense. Many users simply want to add a few IP or megapixel cameras in key areas, yet they still want to be able to purchase low cost analog cameras for less demanding locations. This is exactly how it works with a hybrid system. Hybrid gives users the flexibility to expand and grow over time without the worry of an outdated system the day of purchase.
In addition to the obvious benefits of being able to handle multiple camera types, many progressive manufacturers such as 3xLogic are offering creative licensing options that allow users to minimize their initial investment in the number of cameras their system can handle, yet allows the user to upgrade on the fly as their needs increase.
For example, a convenience store wanting to upgrade an existing eight camera analog system no longer needs to decide if they should buy a 16 camera system to allow for future expansion. They simply buy a hybrid eight (8) camera recorder and then add single licenses as their needs grow. When they decide to add a camera outside looking at the pumps, they simply purchase an additional camera license and their eight camera system is now a nine camera system without needing to replace any equipment.
Hybrid also allows the user to replace an existing analog camera looking at the cash register or gas pump with a megapixel camera giving them 6-10 times the resolution without needing to go above their existing eight (8) camera license. Converting to megapixel is like adding many more cameras without actually adding more cameras.
The fact is, many system users today don’t have the capital to invest in a whole new video surveillance system. A hybrid system provides flexibility and expandability in an open platform format while future proofing the investment to the greatest extent possible. It is important to keep in mind that not all hybrid systems are equal and it is important to consider a solution that is compatible with a wide variety of IP camera manufacturers such as Axis, Arecont, IQeye, Pelco, GSP and many more, as well as all the newer technologies such as megapixel 180-degree and 360-degree formats.
Simply put, a hybrid recorder allows you to take advantage of the benefits of analog, IP and megapixel IP all in a single unit that is probably similarly priced to comparable analog-only or IP-only systems.
Analog Benefits:
- Mature Market
- Broad range of camera options
- Readily available
- Low camera cost
- Tried and tested
IP Benefits
- Easy to add additional cameras
- The future of video
- Provides hi-def megapixel options
- Provides newer 180-degree and 360-degree video
- formats
Hybrid Benefits
- All of the above
- Keep existing analog investment
- Low cost expandability / expand when able
- Maximum flexibility
- Reduced installation time and cost
- Protect past & future investment
- Most complete solution available
Comments
Thanks
Considerate service
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