If you have started researching security cameras for your business, you have probably seen the terms “CCTV” and “IP camera” used interchangeably—and also as though they are completely different things. The confusion is understandable. Here is a clear breakdown of what each term means and which technology makes sense for a modern business installation.
What CCTV Actually Means
CCTV stands for Closed-Circuit Television. In the traditional sense, it refers to analogue camera systems that transmit video over coaxial cable to a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). The signal is “closed-circuit” because it travels on a dedicated cable rather than over a network. Analogue CCTV has been the standard for decades and is still widely installed.
What IP Cameras Are
IP (Internet Protocol) cameras are digital devices that transmit video over a data network—typically Ethernet using PoE (Power over Ethernet). They connect to a Network Video Recorder (NVR) or record directly to cloud storage. Each camera is essentially a small networked computer with its own IP address.
Key Differences
Resolution
Analogue CCTV typically maxes out at 1080p (2 MP). IP cameras commonly offer 4 MP, 8 MP (4K), and even 12 MP. Higher resolution means more detail at greater distances—useful for identifying faces, licence plates, or product labels.
Cabling
Analogue systems use coaxial cable (like old TV cables). IP systems use standard Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable, which is cheaper, easier to terminate, and carries both power and data with PoE. Ethernet cable runs can also extend to 100 metres per segment without signal degradation.
Smart Features
Because IP cameras have onboard processors, they can run analytics at the edge: person detection, vehicle detection, line-crossing, face recognition, and object-left-behind alerts. Analogue cameras simply send a video signal—any intelligence must live in the DVR, which limits what is possible.
Scalability
Adding cameras to an IP system means plugging into a network switch (or adding another switch). Analogue systems require a DVR with enough BNC input ports. Once those ports are full, you need a second DVR. IP systems scale more gracefully, especially for larger sites.
Remote Access
IP camera systems are inherently network-connected, making remote viewing via smartphone or browser straightforward. Analogue systems can be made remotely accessible, but it typically requires additional hardware or a hybrid DVR with network output.
When Analogue Still Makes Sense
If you are expanding an existing analogue installation and the coaxial cabling is already in place, adding analogue cameras to the same DVR is the cheapest short-term option. HD-over-coax technologies (TVI, CVI, AHD) have pushed analogue resolution to 4–8 MP, narrowing the gap. However, for new installations, IP is almost always the better long-term investment.
The Bottom Line
For any new business security project, IP cameras are the clear choice. They offer higher resolution, smarter features, simpler cabling, and easier remote access. The price gap between analogue and IP has shrunk dramatically—a quality 4 MP IP camera costs only marginally more than its analogue equivalent.
All Nordensite camera kits use IP cameras with PoE and NVR recording out of the box. No legacy analogue hardware, no adapters, no compromises. View our camera kits to see what is included, or get in touch if you need advice on upgrading an existing system.