This document compares traditional analog security camera recording to megapixel recording using 1MP and 5MP cameras. It notes that while analog camera live views may be clear, the recording quality is what matters most. Recordings from a 1MP camera provide about 4 times the resolution and clarity of analog, while a 5MP camera provides around 15 times the resolution, allowing much greater detail when zooming in compared to analog security camera recordings.

1. Commercial Security Camera Systems

2. Traditional Digital Recording
vs.
Megapixel Recording (1MP and 5MP)
The “live view” of an analog camera is usually much better than
the recording. However, the recording is what really matters.
For the sake of an honest comparison, we are only using the
sample images from a recording standpoint.
Analog Camera recorded at 720 X 480 resolution on a
conventional Digital Recorder with high compression.

3. When zooming in on the video, it is apparent that there isn’t any
improvement on the quality. What you see on the large image is what
you get. If you cannot make out the detail on the large screen, you
probably will not be able to gain anything by zooming in.

4. Zoomed-in on an Analog Camera image

5. A 1 Megapixel Camera gives much better clarity on the large image and
provides the ability to gain additional detail when zoomed in. A 1
Megapixel camera resolution is 1280 X 720 which is approximately 2 times
the height and 2 times the width of a traditional analog camera, 4 times
the resolution! 400% Improvement

6. Zoomed-in on a 1 Megapixel Camera image

7. And a 5 Megapixel Camera provides even more clarity and detail. A 5
Megapixel camera resolution is 2592 X 1944 which is approximately 4
times the height and 4 times the width of a traditional analog camera,
15 times the resolution! 1,500% Improvement

8. This graphic shows the difference of the zoomed in image back to back.

9. Lighthouse Video Surveillance
PO Box 58423
Houston, TX 77258
Phone: 281-744-5202
Fax: 501-634-3473
info@LighthouseVS.com
Contact Info