Analogue CCTV still works. It is also the reason so many businesses discover, at the worst possible moment, that their footage is unusable. The difference between analogue and IP is not resolution on a spec sheet — it is what you can do with the recording afterwards.
Resolution is only the beginning
A 4MP analogue camera and a 4MP IP camera produce similar pixel counts in ideal light. The IP camera keeps detail when the scene is backlit, because it has the dynamic range and bitrate to do so. Footage is only evidence if a face or a number plate is legible.
Retention maths
Storage is a budget decision. Thirty days of 4MP video at 12 frames per second is roughly 600GB per camera, depending on scene complexity. If your insurer or policy requires 90 days, that number triples. Any quote without a retention calculation is a guess.
Segmentation and access
IP cameras are network devices. Left on the corporate VLAN with default credentials, they are a well-known attack path. Put them on an isolated VLAN, deny outbound internet except to the approved cloud broker, and manage firmware centrally.
What to ask a supplier
- How was the camera position chosen — and can I see the coverage plan?
- What is the retention period at the resolution you are quoting?
- How do I export footage that will stand up to scrutiny, with a hash or audit trail?
- Who can view the system, and how are those permissions reviewed?
- What happens to the system if the internet fails?
The honest summary
IP is the right default for any new installation because it is maintainable, searchable and integrable. But the value comes from design: sight lines, lighting, retention and access. A well-placed 4MP camera beats a badly placed 8MP one every time.
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