Re: Do most DVR's hand both IP & Analog cameras?

[Matt Ion <soundy106@xxxxxxxxx>]

Roland Moore wrote:
> For the most part a 4 port DVR means 4 BNC type analog camera inputs. Some
> really low end units might have use RJ-45 or RJ-11 connections instead of
> BNC for "kit" units with their own cameras.

This is correct - IP cameras *by definition* communicate over a network
and *do not* require multiple ports on a DVR, or any camera-specific
ports, for that matter.  Plug the cameras and DVR into the same network
switch, hub or router, and you're good to go.  When ad copy and specs
refer to "ports" on a DVR, you can be 99.999% certain they're referring
to analog video ports, whether they be standard BNC or RCA connectors,
or quasi-proprietary RJ-11 or RJ-45 connections that also provide power
and/or audio connections to the cameras.

> However traditional DVRs in general and especially the kit types are
 > rapidly becoming as old school as a VCR.

I'd say they're more becoming the "lowest common denominator" that
VCR-based systems used to be.  IP cameras still tend to be substantially
more expensive than their analog counterparts, all other specs being
equal, and as such aren't as common just yet.

> Most all IP cameras support PoE. You do have to double check the power
> availability on the switch you select to match the camera load.

In theory, if camera and switch both comply with PoE spec, there
shouldn't be loading issues, as the camera spec should not allowed it to
draw more current than the power provision spec tells the switch it
should be able to supply.

More to the point, however, is that most existing switches simply do not
support PoE  - it does add a fair bit to the cost, and unless one was
planning a network specifically for PoE capacity, one would likely not
spec and install switches that support it.

In this case, there are "injector" boxes available that can be plugged
inline with a network connection to put PoE on the line.

> In the mega pixel camera market most all cameras are IP based.

Megapixel cameras just about HAVE to be IP-based, as composite video
doesn't provide the resolution for it.  You could have a camera with a
megapixel sensor that scales down to composite video, I suppose, but
that would kinda defeat the point of using a MP sensor.  (And yes, I
know some MP cameras do have a composite output on them, but they're
primarily IP camears, and that port is intended to be used for setup only).

> Most DVR units, even hybrids, aren't made with enough IP through put
 > or retention capacity for more than one or two IP mega pixel cameras.

Depends somewhat on the camera resolution, framerate, etc.  The one
manufacturer I'm most familiar with, IQ Invision, make cameras covering
the full 1.3MP to 5MP range.  Most of these can be configured output
video at a pre-set maximum framerate, to minimize network traffic and
storage requirements, and as with analog capture systems, compression
levels can also be adjusted for appropriate size-vs.-quality concerns.