Your outdated security camera system could be costing you more than you think. Just as with computers and servers, it’s essential to upgrade your security camera system. An aging setup can lead to frequent camera failures, reduced image quality, and a lack of access to the latest features, all of which can drain your company’s valuable resources. Continue reading to uncover the hidden expenses of not modernizing your outdated security camera system.
Increased Downtime
As with any electronic equipment, older security cameras are more prone to malfunctions and outages. For businesses with a significant number of cameras, even minor outages can accumulate rapidly; for smaller enterprises, losing just one camera can significantly compromise security coverage.
The age of your system also affects the likelihood of receiving regular maintenance. Is the installation company still operational? Has your service contract lapsed without renewal? Neglecting battery replacements and regular upkeep can severely impact the functionality of your security system. If your aging system isn’t regularly inspected and updated, it becomes susceptible to critical failures.
In contrast, a modern IP security camera system minimizes failure points and simplifies servicing, which helps to reduce downtime. Should an IP camera encounter an issue, a technician can frequently diagnose and resolve it remotely. When a service visit is necessary, technicians are more likely to have the required parts for repairs on hand, unlike older analog systems, which may require waiting for replacement components to arrive.
Decreased Image Quality
The advancements in video quality and resolution for security cameras over the past few years are significant. Don’t wait for a break-in or robbery to discover that your outdated system produces grainy footage, making it impossible to identify intruders.
Older camera systems often struggle in low-light conditions and may generate such poor-quality images that zooming in results in further blurriness. Traditional analog cameras transmit video signals to a digital video recorder (DVR) that processes and records them, which typically results in lower frame rates and limited resolution.
Avoid the frustration of realizing that your analog camera’s subpar quality prevents you from identifying a vehicle’s license plate in a hit-and-run incident. By proactively upgrading to an IP security camera system, you can capture high-resolution images and benefit from features such as Pan-Tilt-Zoom capabilities, license plate recognition, and remote viewing, all of which enhance workplace safety.
Storage Challenges
It may seem that your old analog cameras help save on storage costs, but this is a misconception. The DVRs used with analog systems have limited data handling capabilities, often forcing business owners to invest in additional DVRs to store their low-quality footage, ultimately leading to higher expenses.
Modern IP security camera systems use advanced compression techniques, such as H.264, which reduce video data size by approximately 75%. This allows for greater storage efficiency on your network video recorder (NVR). Such compression not only lessens your overall storage requirements but also captures higher-quality images that can be digitally zoomed for more detailed examination.