Analog to IP: Discover the Truth about Video Migration
 

By: Scott Hendrickson
Video Product Manager
Checkview Corporation
 

Truth #1: It is Cost Effective.
In today’s world of technology, balancing the performance of a video system with budget constraints has been a challenge that has kept many systems in the analog realm. The lower cost and performance of analog video may allow Loss Prevention Managers to put more cameras in more stores, but with the declining costs associated with current IP cameras, higher resolutions and system flexibility with open architected network video recorders, the case to move from analog to IP is a strong one. While some retailers can make the jump to IP with complete replacements of existing video infrastructure, most find that a migration path from analog to IP is done in stages and proper planning for the future. Consider the following key components regarding your present video system and make the move towards an IP video system.

Truth #2: Cabling is Key.
The first item to consider is the current cabling infrastructure. Coaxial cable with a power wire? Structured cabling, Category 3, 5, 5e, 6 or other? If you are still installing analog video systems with coaxial cable, then at the very minimum, you need to move into Ethernet standard Category 5e or 6 (Unshielded Twisted Pair – UTP) using baluns to transmit analog video, power and data (for PTZ’s) as soon as possible. Baluns are small transceivers that live at each end of a UTP run to convert the analog signal and transmit over Cat5e/6. Different baluns are used for varying run lengths, but it is important to know for future IP considerations that Ethernet standards have a maximum run distance of 100M (328’) between IP devices (switch, PC, IP Camera). If you are installing analog today with baluns, to be ready for IP in the future, the Cat5e/6 cabling must adhere to TIA Ethernet standards of 100M or less, or include proper intermediate junctions and proper Ethernet terminations.

See Truths #3 and #4 here.