Basic comparison of camera system technologies
Below you'll find a clear comparison of the two most common camera system technologies — AHD and IP.
AHD camera systems
This is currently the most advanced analogue camera technology. It is unique in transmitting video over coaxial cable (up to 500 m) or over UTP cable using twisted-pair baluns (just like classic analogue). It is the direct successor to analogue systems but with much higher resolution — from 1.0 MP (HD — 1280×720 px) up to 8.0 MP (4K — 3840×2160 px).
AHD advantages:
- resolution up to 8.0 MP (4K)
- lower acquisition cost
- smooth image with no latency
- simple infrastructure and DIY-friendly installation
- same wiring and routing as classic analogue
- passive signal transmission up to 500 m
- support for multiple signal-transmission technologies
- can replace an analogue system without changing cabling
- remote management possible (LAN)
AHD disadvantages:
- transmission distance limited by cable length
- image can be affected by induction and ground loops
Approximate price for a 4-camera system: EUR 280–600
Most common use cases:
- smaller family houses
- cottages and cabins
- retail stores
IP camera systems
A relatively young technology that uses a digital (computer) network to transmit video. It is mainly characterised by very high resolution, typically from 1.0 MP (HD — 1280×720 px) up to 8.0 MP (4K — 3840×2160 px).
IP advantages:
- resolution up to 8.0 MP (4K)
- each camera is an autonomous device
- intelligent functions (e.g. licence-plate reading)
- wireless transmission possible
- both copper and fibre links
- digital transmission with no image interference
- full remote management of all devices
- PoE power (data and power on a single cable)
- 360° cameras covering up to 100 m²
IP disadvantages:
- higher acquisition cost
- requires knowledge of IP networking
Approximate price for a 4-camera system: EUR 520–1000
Most common use cases:
- larger family houses
- multi-building complexes
- halls
- factories
- schools
Analogue camera systems (AHD) — history and evolution
Analogue-camera systems first appeared in the 1930s. Their earliest deployments date back to World War II, when they were used at the V-2 rocket factory. These systems mainly served industrial production, monitoring hazardous operations or radiation-contaminated environments.
Mass adoption in the civilian sector arrived only in the 1980s, gradually entering transport, banking and industry. Around the turn of the 1990s camera systems started being supplemented with recorders — first tape-based, later digital recorders (DVRs) that convert the analogue signal to digital. In the early days of digital recording, affordable PC capture cards were widely used, but standalone recorders eventually prevailed. They are valued for their reliability, ease of operation and the fact that they perform only their intended task — recording.
In the past five years analogue technology has made significant progress in image sensors, which now offer higher sensitivity, greater resolution and a range of image-enhancement features.
The next step in the evolution is AHD (Analog High Definition). It emerged from manufacturers' efforts to build on the decade-long success of analogue systems while meeting customer demand for higher image resolution. The main advantage of AHD is full backward compatibility with existing analogue systems — recorders can also handle classic analogue cameras. An existing analogue system can therefore be upgraded with cameras up to 4K without any changes to cabling or connectors. Just add or replace the analogue camera and recorder with an AHD-capable model. So if you own an analogue system that deserves a refresh, AHD is the ideal choice — the difference in image quality compared to classic analogue will pleasantly surprise you.
IP camera systems — history and evolution
Fully digital camera systems started appearing in larger numbers at the end of the 20th century. Their emergence was driven by customer demand for higher image quality that analogue cameras of the time could not deliver. The systems work on a fully digital basis — the sensor captures a digital image directly, which allows for resolutions many times higher.
IP systems require sufficiently high-bandwidth network (LAN) infrastructure and powerful servers capable of processing large volumes of data in real time. This requirement has also driven the technology's further development in recent years, as processors and other hardware have made significant performance gains while reducing energy consumption and physical size. IP technology is used especially where flexibility of network infrastructure or wireless transmission matters.