24/7 operation time and network connection cannot be the only difference. in fact camcorders have more equipped (3ccd, hdd, optical zoom, quality audio recording, many different outputs, remote control, lcd screen, battery, software etc).
Obviously there is a creamy market and all manufacturers are happy about this poli monopol system. Use less component in different housing and sell it for 4 times more expensive. Sweet:)
Cctv installers and customers should raise their voice. I am not saying reduce the prices. If we are paying that much money, we should get proper quality of images. Manufacturers not hesitating to release misleading ads and dear Vincent, I don't see any point to defend them. Advertisely 60fps camera processing only 30fps and captured image quality is terrible then we calling this HD? You are buying and paying for 30fps HD(fake) camera and it's processing only 15fps so who and how can justify that?