HD-SDI High Definition CCTV vs Traditional CCTV Cameras

HD-SDI CCTV cameras, also known as HD security cameras, are quickly gaining popularity as a high definition video surveillance solution. Until a few years ago, the only available option for high definition surveillance systems was to use network IP cameras which are typically more expensive and almost always more difficult to setup.

With the advent of HD-SDI technology for security cameras, users can now capture 1080p resolution video using the same RG59 or RG6 coaxial cable that is used by traditional CCTV cameras.

This new SDI platform is pivotal information for existing CCTV users whom have invested into expensive coaxial cabling installations, and now are in the market to upgrade their system to HD. These users are able to leverage their existing coax cable when they upgrade to HD Security cameras.

The HD-SDI paradigm also makes installation easier for many low voltage installers because HD-SDI security cameras follow the same plug and play processes as the traditional CCTV cameras, unlike IP cameras, which do require some level of networking knowledge to setup.

HD-SDI Camera vs. CCTV Camera Resolution

Traditional CCTV cameras are capable of resolutions up to about 704 x 480, which is referred to as D1 resolution, which is a hard limit that analog CCTV DVRs must abide by.

Some traditional CCTV cameras can actually capture slightly larger images than D1, but are unable to take advantage because traditional CCTV DVRs are limited to 704 x 480 resolution, which is why D1 is the accepted max resolution in the CCTV industry.

HD-SDI CCTV cameras are capable of true HD 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080). This higher resolution is the same as a high definition television and movies that consumers are use to. The SDI technology behind HD-SDI CCTV cameras is the same as the video cameras that capture video footage for “high def” motion pictures.

Here are the original images used in the above illustration. This high definition image was captured using a HD-B20 dome HD security camera.

This is the image captures with traditional CCTV camera. A DPRO-9620 model CCTV camera was used to capture this image at D1 resolution (704 x 480).

HD-SDI and CCTV Images

The following image compares the image size and resolution of a high definition HD-SDI CCTV camera and standard definition CCTV camera. Please click on the image for the full sized view. After you click on the image, if your web browser supports zooming, you will probably be able to make the image even larger.

The benefits of HD-SDI CCTV are:

• High Definition images, making it easier to identify individuals.

• Simple installation using standard co-ax cable.

• No need to involve IT Managers as part of the installation.

HD-SDI is significantly easier for experienced CCTV installers to get to grips with and can easily be used in tandem with existing analogue cameras. Compared with IP, installers can install HD-SDI straight away with next to no training. There is also very little risk of getting in to complications when installing it, as long as they are experienced in installing analogue CCTV. With an increasing demand for HD CCTV footage the standards that end users expect are growing.
Visit: HD-TVI, HD-CVI, HD-SDI, HD-AHD, Analog & IP Camera

Guarding against theft using Outdoor IP Camera

Are you ever have the experience of worried about strangers knocking at your door when your child at home alone? May be every parents have this kind of feeling. Needless to say, that is really a dangerous situation when adults were not at home. Thief or evil guy may take the chance of using children’s innocent resorts to all means in order to achieve his goal. How can we parents to avoid the same thing happen again? We would like to introduce Outdoor IP Camera. The best life and property guarder of your family.

Network Attached Outdoor IP Cameras and Wireless IP Camera attach to the network just like a computer. Set the IP address and they can be viewed by a web browser. Add powerful IP software and you can create a sophisticated surveillance system. Outdoor IP Cameras are much easier to install then the older analog CCTV cameras. The cameras are all connected to the network using standard network cable. The latest cameras can even be powered over Ethernet (POE), making installation even simpler. The new outdoor IP cameras from Axis are powered by POE.
Our complete Outdoor IP Camera systems for indoor or outdoor applications include Outdoor IP cameras, servers, storage, enclosures, lenses and software; everything you need to create a working surveillance system.

That sounds simple enough but when you’re trying to choose the right Outdoor IP camera you’ll begin to notice how many different types of cameras there are:
Weatherproof IP Cameras
Wireless IP Cameras
Indoor IP Cameras / Outdoor IP Cameras

That list can be even further segmented but you get the idea. It can be a dizzying process to wade through the available choices. But, there’s a reason for all the options and in our ongoing discussion of how to find the right Outdoor IP Camera for your project I’ll be detailing the camera types and how/where they are used.

Do you have a clear mind about Outdoor IP Camera, if not, buying one and supplying a more security environment for your children .

Analog vs. Digital Resolution – TVL vs. Pixels

One of the most confusing and difficult topics in the CCTV world is resolution. Most of us have digital cameras or video camcorders and have heard the term megapixel used as the most common comparison in resolution between various makes and models. We are also aware that a larger number means better picture quality, but many people do not know why. In the CCTV security camera world, though, most cameras are still analog and their resolution is measured differently from what we are used to.

When measuring analog resolution, a TV line does not have a defined number of individual pixels. Instead, the term “TV lines” refers to the number of discernable horizontal or vertical lines on the screen. Analog security cameras are measured in Analog TV Lines, and most of them have between 420 and 580. The higher number of TV Lines, the more information captured. These types of cameras connect to a security DVR or CCTV VCR via coaxial video cable.

Zoomed too far into a picture from a website and seen the image go from clear to a bunch of colored squares – each one of those squares is an individual pixel. A megapixel (MP) is 1 million pixels, and is a specific measurement for digital resolution that encompasses the area of the output video.

Example: If a camera outputs a signal that is 1280×1024 pixels, it is shooting at a megapixel resolution of 1280 x 1024 = 1,310,720 pixels = 1.3 Megapixels (MP).

The most common type of digital security cameras are IP Cameras. These, like your digital camera at home, use strictly digital resolution. They utilize a network connection to either act as a standalone device or connect to a network-based DVR (Digital Video Recorder) or NVR (Network Video Recorder). IP Cameras have fixed resolutions and are now approaching, and in several cases exceeding, 1 megapixel in resolution, on average. Many of these cameras also support POE (Power Over Ethernet), which allows them to be powered by the Ethernet cable used for network connectivity, and PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom), allowing for remote control of the pan, tilt and zoom features, if applicable.

I hope this helped everyone distinguish the differences between Analog (TV Line) and Digital (Pixel) Resolution. We would love to know what you think of our articles, and if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment!