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HDcctv: Non-IP Megapixel Coming to Video Surveillance?
by John Honovich, IPVM posted on May 17, 2009 About John Contact JohnWill non-IP cameras soon provide megapixel resolution? It sounds strange and almost a contradiction in terms. Today, only IP cameras provide anything above standard resolution (like 720p, 1080p, 1.3MP and 2MP cameras).
A new industry group, called the HDcctv Alliance, has been formed to promote the development of a non-IP megapixel standard and the release of products based on that standard.
[Update 6/16/09: Details are now available including our in-depth competitive analysis of HDcctv compared to IP Megapixel and Hybrid DVRs]. Also, watch the sales pitch overview from the HDcctv:
The Importance of Megapixel
Megapixel is the strongest growth driver in the industry today:
- Industry professionals voted megapixel as the top emerging technology trend
- I recommend megapixel as the best way to grow video surveillance sales
- Users are really excited when they watch demos of megapixel cameras
- I believe it is the strongest motivator for switching to IP Video
- Reduce the technical complexity and training needs to set up IP cameras
- Re-use existing analog cabling and connectors
- Lower the price of cameras and system cost for deployments under 32 cameras (the majority of deployments globally)
- Existing DVRs will not be able to support non-IP megapixel without new capture cards (essentially requiring new DVRs)
- Can RG-59 cabling be reused? Will non-IP megapixel run the same distance as standard definition? If you cannot reuse the same cabling or if the distances are decreased significantly, this will significantly reduce value.
- Will the price of analog megapixel cameras really be lower and by how much?
What Will happen to non-IP Megapixel?
I need more technical details to guess what will come of this. It could be a powerful force that stems the growth of IP cameras or it could be a last ditch effort by analog providers that goes nowhere. It all depends on how well it can work and how well analog manufacturers can join forces together.
[Note: An earlier version of the article referred to this technology as "analog megapixel'. Referring to it as 'analog' is incorrect. I have requested the principles of the HDcctv Alliance to provide more information in the near future.]
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