Analog technology for a while

By: Duván Chaverra A.

The fashionable topic in the surprising and innovative world of security has to do with wireless technology for closed circuit television (CCTV) solutions, everyone talks about it, everyone launches new proposals on the market and surely in Latin America this is an option that will be used in a large percentage in the not too distant future.

However, today's reality shows that in our region analogous solutions continue to monopolize the majority of sectors that request CCTV installations, basically for a "value" reason. This kind of technology began a few years ago a struggle for permanence before the appearance of IP systems and that made SECURITY SALES thoroughly investigate the current and near future of the analog solution.

Therefore, we consider including two different points of view to analyze from various perspectives the opinions that exist on analog technology and that is why in this article we have the presence of representatives of manufacturers of equipment for analog technology for CCTV: Antonio Pérez, from the sales management of NVT; Marce Christensen, Sales and Support, Vigitron; and Glenn Patricio, representative of Altronix.

Similarly, to complement the article we invited four outstanding integrating companies that offer this type of technology in Latin America: Óscar Silva, commercial vice president of EBC Ingeniería (Colombia), Patricio Fustillos, commercial manager of Siaproci (Ecuador); Juan Hernández, representative of Sistemas Nissi (Mexico), and Cristian Barraza, manager of the electronic security area of Videocorp (Chile).

During the development of the topic we will expose the different opinions of the specialists and what better way to start than to analyze the current behavior of analog technology. Initially, manufacturers give their opinion on the matter.

For example, Marce Christensen, sales and support at Vigitron, explained that although the trend is for the IP to be established in the next two years, the current moment of the economy in the region says something else: "The depressive state of the global economy during the last two years has certainly slowed the trend. Many of our chosen customers ran analogous systems to solve their present security. Although it is difficult to see if IP CCTV regains its momentum to pass the demands of analog systems in the next two years, I think it is likely that in about five years the trend may vary."

Glenn Patricio, for his part, indicated that analog technology will remain strong in Latin America and highlights two factors: "Bandwidth and the value of storage solutions." But he agrees that little by little the move to IP will occur as the prices of these systems fall with the increase in demand.

Antonio Pérez, from NVT, said that it is already common for IP solutions to predominate during fairs, however, Latin America is a market still dominated by analog technology: "We are at a time in the industry in which the advance of solutions based on IP cameras is evident, but the reality is different, if you consult with installers, the vast majority of installations are analogue. We are in a world where these solutions still have preponderance."

Juan Hernández, from Nissi, handles a percentage similar to the previous comment and justifies that figure as follows:

A) The customer is making extensions to its current analog security system.

B) The client has IP security infrastructure but the cost/benefit ratio shows that the service would be more reliable if it is combined (analog cameras with Encoders and IP Decoder or IP Video Servers).

C) The IP security system was not designed correctly and does not allow extensions.

D) An analog security system with remote monitoring included turns out to be enough for what the customer needs.

E) The customer likes IP technology and can pay for the new infrastructure, but according to their needs, the solution will be combined (Analog and IP).

Meanwhile, Patricio Fustillos, of the Ecuadorian Siaproci, highlighted two segments that according to him will retain the use of analog solutions for a long time: "The first is that of applications of low-cost solutions, definitely for more advantages that one finds in IP technology is invincible an analog camera, a low profile DVR and monitors barely enough to meet the need for surveillance. In my opinion, this will continue to be the trend in this sector, that is why they have not disappeared and rather the combos of solutions in which one can find a DVR or multiplexer with a basic group of cameras have multiplied."

Regarding the second segment, he said that its use "will continue to be decisive in special applications or where very high video quality is required. For example there are applications of thermal cameras, long-range red infra, special for perimeters and borders, etc. Development on these devices has focused on being functional to the high requirements of their installation and they are usually limited to delivering the video on an analog channel."

However, not all guest integrators show the same figures, in the case of Videocorp of Chile, Cristian Barraza reveals that analog systems only represent 20% of the total sales of CCTV solutions: "Day by day there is a greater interest in solutions based on IP technology. The stigma with which they carried – I mean poor image quality, signal delay, etc. – has been disappearing and today we can see solutions for casinos, transit or banking based on this new option. "

The same goes for Siaproci, where only 10% of its sales are directed to the teams in question.

Now the question is what is the future that awaits integrators with analog technology in Latin America?

Initially, Fustillos said that "as in all fields, specialization is what gives success. There is a need that analog cameras cover, so those who know the technology in depth will take advantage of the application and close the businesses where they must be applied. They are not necessarily small projects, there are many special cameras that will remain analogous for much longer and that can generate projects of very high value."

Juan Hernández highlights constant training as a fundamental pillar in the future of CCTV solutions: "I have been receptive to the invitation of several manufacturers and distributors to their training courses for new products, either face-to-face or via the Internet (webinar), and the truth is that I am pleasantly impressed with the effort they make to train their integrators. I conclude that without these trainings it would be impossible to think about surviving in this niche market by trying to sell the same solutions of the past, knowing that technology has evolved in all areas."

Cristian Barraza says that as long as competition on other continents continues to offer low-cost products, integrator companies will need to continue selling analog technology: "Unfortunately we are invaded by very low-cost Asian solutions, and considering that not all markets are interested in having the highest technology and availability of this type of services, then it is still necessary to have similar solutions."

Developments, advantages and disadvantages
As renowned manufacturers of analog CCTV solutions, our three guests reveal the main developments that have been presented in this segment. In the case of Vigitron, Marce Christensen commented that his company "continues to invest in carrying out and improving our analog line:
• Medium and long distance AVC active receivers.
• Miniature video isolation transformers.
• Distribution video amplifier with AVC".

Glenn Patricio, from Altronix, commented that a new technology is the so-called HD CCTV: "This technology is HD 1080P analog cameras that can be installed on coaxial and not by Cat 5 (category 5 cable), this is a great advantage because now the installer does not need to understand the IP network, its installation is the same as that of analog cameras. The prices of these cameras will be more expensive than standard analogues, but the advantage is that you can get HD video with a better resolution."

Antonio Pérez, from NVT, highlights the use of hybrid solutions: "These allow combinations to be made by taking advantage of structured cabling by sharing the infrastructure to send video, power and controls through UTP cable, and thus combine purely analog solutions with IP within the same cabling infrastructure".

Advantages:
• Ease of installation and configuration.
• More profitable.
• Independence from other data networks.
• Virtually no delay/latent state of the signal.
• A longer distance (up to 1,980 m).
• Wide compatibility of analog solutions to other factories.

Disadvantages:
• Generally supports lower video resolution compared to HD/Megapixel IP cameras.
• Point-to-point wiring from the control room to the camera. You often need the extra wiring to add camera coverage.

For his part, Glenn Patricio, from Altronix, mentioned the following in this regard: The advantages are the price, ease of installation, that the installer does not need to know anything about IP networks. The disadvantages are poor video resolution.

Solutions with UTP
Finally, Antonio Pérez stressed that in Latin America analog solutions with UTP continue to show growth figures, and emphasizes the hybrid solution as a basis to prepare the way to a possible IP installation for the future.

"They are gaining ground on coaxial solutions. The great advantage of hybrid solutions is that as I mentioned before, it allows you to take advantage of structured cabling, which makes it possible to become a migration solution by taking advantage of the same structured cabling system, and thus, when a user is ready to take the step to IP, they have all the infrastructure they will need and do not see the need to make any type of change in the cabling. Not everyone is ready to move to this type of solutions (IP) we are talking about a network, cameras, infrastructure, equipment and other types of technical issues such as bandwidth that are expensive and necessary. "