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Top 10 myths about network video

The Top 10 Myths about Network Video
The IP-Surveillance solution shatters misperceptions surrounding networked video

By Fredrik Nilsson, General Manager, Axis Communications U.S. Inc.

Why misperceptions about IP-Surveillance?

As with any new technology, there is an initial period of market education. The more complicated the technology and/or the more entrenched the current technology and business model—the longer the period of market education. During this learning phase it is only natural that there are gaps in knowledge and misunderstandings. It is from these conditions that misperceptions and myths can grow and foster.

IP-Surveillance technology is by no means highly complicated, but the "IP" portion of it does take security out its natural state and move into the IT realm, unknown territory for many. In this sense, new technology and entirely new conditions can compound fears and stir support for the status quo. The fact that IP-Surveillance competes directly with the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) raises a number of issues, not the least of which is that it challenges the current assumption that DVR technology and the analog camera represent the end-point, and therefore best, technology. Let's face it, there is an entire industry, from manufacturers to installer and integrators on down to end users and their organizations, who have a vested interest in seeing the DVR be the dominant technology. To add to these "myth-making" market conditions, consider that the security industry is one in which proprietary, single-brand solutions are common and expected. IP-Surveillance solutions combine "best of breed" products and services from a number of different vendors. This ends up being great for the end user, but it is rather different from current conditions and expectations.

Now that we understand the reasons for the misperceptions and half-truths that have grown up around IP-Surveillance, we can examine some of them more closely.

Myth #1:
DVRs are the latest, greatest CCTV security technology

Top 10 myths

What is IP-Surveillance?
Why misperceptions about IP-Surveillance technology?

Myth #1:
DVRs are the latest, greatest CCTV security technology

Myth #2:
IP technology is unproven. If it's better, why aren't security solution providers selling more?

Myth #3:
IP-Surveillance cannot meet the demands of enterprise level applications.

Myth #4:
Networked video image quality is not as good as analog.

Myth #5:
Network cameras cost more than analog cameras, making IP-Surveillance too expensive.

Myth #6:
If I already have analog cameras installed, IP-Surveillance isn't an option because I need a DVR.

Myth #7:
Transferring all that video data over my network will overload it, making this an unworkable technology.

Myth #8:
Transmitting video for security purposes over an IP network is not secure.

Myth #9:
IP-Surveillance is less reliable than alternative technologies; for instance, the network go down.

Myth #10:
IP-Surveillance is still five years away.

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