Integrated Systems

and
Digital Home

IES Universidad Laboral de Albacete

Marco Antonio

2STI
Analyze the two video surveillance devices that we have in the home automation
and explain how they work.

Answer

In the home automation we have two video surveillance devices, one analogue and the other
digital.

The Analog Video Surveillance Device is based on an older technology that transmits signals in
the form of direct current through coaxial cables, uncompressed. Although it has been largely
replaced by digital systems, it is still a viable option due to its low cost and simplicity.

These systems are mainly composed of: the cameras, the wiring, the recording device (DVR), and
the monitor or display device.
 Analog Video Surveillance Cameras:

They are devices that capture images in real-time through an image sensor, which is usually a
type of CCD or CMOS technology. These sensors convert the light received through the camera
lens into an electrical signal.

Capture Process:

The camera receives light from the environment (e.g. the entrance to the house, garden or hallway)
and transforms it into an electrical signal proportional to the image.

The camera sensor is not digital, so the signal captured is analog (i.e. a continuous signal that varies
fluidly over time).

The result is an image in analogue format, without compression or digital processing.

Once the camera has captured the image, the signal is transmitted via a coaxial cable (usually type
RG59) that connects the camera to the recording system.

Coaxial cabling:

The coaxial cable has two conductors: an internal conductor, which carries the signal, and an
external shield, which helps reduce external interference and ensures that the signal arrives without
distortion.
In analog video surveillance systems, the coaxial cable usually has a limited distance to transmit the
signal without degrading. This is one of the disadvantages of analog systems, as the image quality is
affected by the length of the cable.

Recording Device (DVR):

(Digital Video Recorder) is the heart of the analog video surveillance system, even though it has the
word "digital" in its name, as it converts analog signals into a digital signal for storage. This device is
responsible for recording the images captured by the cameras and storing them for later viewing.
Recording Process:

The DVR receives the analog signals from the cameras and converts them into digital signals (this is
known as digitization).

The digital signal is stored on a hard drive or HDD inside the DVR. This storage can be configured so
that images are recorded continuously, or only when motion is detected (depending on system
configuration).

In addition, the DVR allows multiple cameras to be managed at once, although in small systems,
between 4 and 16 cameras are often connected.
Types of recording:

Continuous recording: The DVR records all the time, which may require a lot of storage space.

Motion Detection Recording: The system only records when it detects a change in the image (a
motion), which helps optimize storage space usage.
Monitor or Display Device:
Once the images are stored on the DVR, they can be viewed on a monitor connected to the DVR. They
can also be viewed on other devices if the DVR has an output for it (such as a VGA or HDMI output).

Real-time viewing: Users can visualize what is happening in the monitored areas directly from the
monitor connected to the DVR.

Playback of recordings: If users want to view previous recordings, they can browse the images stored
on the DVR through its interface, which is usually managed by a remote control or keyboard
connected to the DVR.
Image Storage:
In analog systems, the recording of the images is stored on a hard drive inside the DVR. As the disc
fills up, older recordings are automatically overwritten if that option has been enabled. Depending on
the configuration, storage can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

No remote access: Analog systems do not have the ability to be managed remotely in a simple way. If
the recordings or camera system are to be accessed, the user must be present where the DVR and
monitor are located.
Digital:
 Digital systems are made up of the same fundamental parts as analog, however, they are
based on more modern technologies, they implement IP cameras that send images and videos
in digital format through Ethernet or Wi-Fi networks. IP cameras can connect to an NVR
(Network Video Recorder) to record, process, and store video.

Image quality: Digital cameras have a higher resolution (from 1080p to 4K or more) and the image
quality is much sharper. In addition, there is no loss of transmission quality because the signal is
digital.

Advantages:
Superior resolution: They can capture images in high resolution (1080p, 4K, etc.), allowing for
more detailed viewing.

Scalability: It's easy to expand a digital system. New cameras can be added by simply connecting
them to the network.

Increased flexibility: IP cameras can be connected wirelessly, eliminating the need for coaxial
cables.

Cloud storage: Digital systems allow the option to store videos in the cloud, making it easier to
access remotely and secure data.

Smart Analytics: IP cameras can incorporate intelligent analytics software (such as motion
detection, facial recognition, people counting, etc.) directly into the system.

Remote access: Cameras and recordings can be accessed from anywhere with an internet
connection, either through an app or from a computer.
Greater distance range without loss of quality: The digital signal does not degrade with the
transmission distance as it does in analog systems.