The world of analog cameras has not changed in years. (The standard dates to 1953!) This description at first may sound negative, but in fact that is one of the leading reasons for selecting an analog camera for your industrial application. In a world in which today’s most feature packed digital cameras becomes obsolete by next week, the analog camera plods along using the same coax line that was dropped in the cable tray 15 years ago. This level of consistency makes the analog camera the go-to standard for industrial camera systems for several reasons.
First, the analog camera delivers a consistent signal to the control that nearly everyone can understand: A camera is connected to a coax, the coax line is connected to a monitor. It’s that easy. A digital IP camera on the other hand needs an interface between the camera and the monitor. It needs an IP address, video management system, and a computer. The IP address can have a dizzying array of possibilities. The video management software needs to be setup and programmed for displaying the images. The video management software needs updating and maintenance. If you need help with any of these you can always reach out to the help desk and take a number. However, if you need to see something immediately having a number and a work order isn’t much help. Analog is the most dependable solution out there.
Second, all analog cameras are interchangeable within a plant. If an analog camera goes down, changing it out is as simple as plugging a new unit onto the coax line and turning it on. Not so with a digital IP based camera. Different manufacturers have different proprietary software packages. So, if you buy a camera from company “Fantastic Camera” and you use their “free” video management software, then you are locked in to buying that same “Fantastic Camera” forever. Don’t even think about using a camera from “Just as Good” camera company because those cameras are not compatible with “Fantastic Camera’s” video management software. Even if a camera is labeled as “ONVIF” compliant, supposedly making it “universal”, you’ll find this is only a half-truth. You might get an image on a PC monitor but you will likely have compatibility issues with controls, settings and the like.
The last reason is really one of the coolest reasons. Typically, people select IP digital cameras because they want high definition 1080p video images to look at in the control room. There has been something of a ground breaking change in the world of analog cameras. Once upon a time an analog camera could only display low resolution images. Not so anymore. Bass Electronics’ HD analog cameras are capable of 1080P HD resolution using that same 15-year old coax line in your cable tray.
The analog camera is as dependable as ever and considering that the HD tech upgrades have no complicated install make this camera the go-to camera for your industrial application.