From VCR to Digitalization

Overview Since the introduction of VCR surveillance recorder in the early 1970s, applications of analog CCTV systems had increased with each passing year.  The technology continued to develop, distribute and improve until 1995s. However, nowadays, enterprises, casinos, large retail shops, freight centers, franchises and most government buildings worldwide use VCR-based recording systems to deter crime and aid in criminal investigation.

Details
Method for recording video on tape with tape-recording equipment is an analog type. Namely, each camera connect to one device (Multiplexer) to split all the cameras’ image, and then output them on a CRT monitor, and use VHS to record the image on video tape. Operator then uses storage rack to protect tapes from humidity.

HIGH SETUP AND RUNNING COST
As the whole system involved many independent equipments, Multiplexer, TV, several VCRs, immense amount of tapes and expensive storage space that led to high running and operating costs.

LOW VIDEO QUALITY
Tapes would wear or tear over time, image would distort, video integrity is hard to preserve over time due to changing climate and humidity. This is an ever-present problem of analog tapes.

TAPE MANAGEMENT
User may have to review all the tape to find one specific image. And large storage space is required for tapes. Spaces are noticeably expensive in some cities such as Hong Kong. Keeping records for a long period of time, such as one year, is impossible.

LABOR INTENSIVE
Systems need operator to change tape frequently and perform system maintenance, and operator must be at the site to acknowledge emergency.

LIMITATIONS
All the records stored on tapes. Viewer must go to the site and take the tapes to see what was going on. When camera number has to be increased, that also led to the problem of cabling, and troublesome modification of the whole system.

Digitalization
All the problems stated above found no solutions until the boom of digital era. From cameras to digital cameras, from tapes to CD or Hard Disk, from CRT to LCD, surveillance system also gets the same change - VCRs to DVRs (Digital Video Recorder) . From 2002 to 2003, DVRs constitutes up to 75% of new CCTV systems in United States, especially after the terror attacks 9/11. With continuous product improvement come better-functioning products, lower costs, and a steadily growing customer base, products based on digital technology begins to dominate the entire CCTV market.

We now use CD to replace analog tapes, and all the captured images from cameras distribute over the Internet, user can monitor from anywhere at any time.

Digital Solutions: DVR [Digital Video Recorder]

For more information:
Network DVR Whitepaper