• Wireless cameras may not be suitable for all properties.
  • Analog cameras can be easier to install but have limited functions. 
  • Dahua Technology offers homeowners highly secure digital security cameras.

Homeowners entering the security camera market for the first time are greeted with an overwhelming array of products. From cameras with night-vision and two-way communication to infrared and AI motion detection, it can be challenging to know which video surveillance system best suits your needs. 

But amid this giddying assortment of new technologies, the newcomer to the market is likely to overlook digital’s long-forgotten cousin: analog. 

Analog surveillance systems are built on a closed circuit of cables that transfer video data to an on-site storage center and were commonplace before the residential surveillance sector largely moved to digital systems many years ago.  

It’s undeniable that analog surveillance systems are increasingly fulfilling a niche market need. According to tech analytics and advisory firm Omdia, sales of analog cameras since 2016 have fallen by over 40%.  

But with over $800 million in sales in 2024, analog systems retain a small but stubborn share of the video surveillance market. So, what might prompt a homeowner to install an analog surveillance system on their property? 

Practicality 

It is clear that analog surveillance systems can be more practical in areas with poor or unreliable internet service, such as rural areas and off-the-grid homes. But this is equally true for older buildings, particularly historic or listed buildings, where it is often unfeasible to update to a digital system and existing coaxial cable systems are in place. 

And that’s not to mention the cost. Analog systems can often be cheaper than their digital equivalents, particularly for high-resolution cameras, where the additional costs of a computer board, operating system, application software, or network interface chips can raise the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and Total Cost to Serve (TCS) significantly. 

Upgrades

It is certainly true that many analog surveillance systems lack additional features that make digital systems so appealing, such as two-way communication, AI video analytics, and motion detection. However, this can be mitigated in large part through the use of protocol converters and transponders, which digitize analog signals and allow integration into modern IP systems.  

Of course, this is not an argument for those looking to install surveillance on their property for the first time. However, for those who have inherited an analog surveillance system, protocol conversion can provide a cost-effective upgrade on par with modern digital systems. 

Security  

One common concern raised about digital surveillance systems is the risk of hacking or a data breach, which follows a series of high-profile leaks that some of the industry’s best-known companies have suffered. 

Wyze, an American smart camera manufacturer, suffered a glitch that led to some 13,000 users being shown footage from other people’s cameras. The company blamed the incident on an “unprecedented” number of devices coming online at the same time, which overloaded a third-party caching client library.   

Meanwhile, Ring, the video doorbell and home security company, came under fire after its parent company, Amazon, admitted that it had disclosed video footage from its devices to the police in more than ten cases without users’ consent.

But while analog systems may inherently avoid many of the risks associated with cloud storage, these can be mitigated through strong cyber-security protocols, such as a digital surveillance system run on a local area network (LAN). 

While there are some risks still attached, Dahua Technology’s handy 9-step guide, which includes keeping up-to-date firmware and enabling an IP filter, shows you how to bolster your system’s cybersecurity, achieving the security benefits of analog solutions digitally. 

And for homeowners unwilling to forego the clear utility of cloud-based surveillance systems, such as monitoring your home on the go or receiving notification of any unusual activity, there are solutions on the market. Dahua Technology’s DoLynk Care Cloud Platform, accessible via a computer and app, offers real-time error notification and an easy-to-use topology management interface, allowing video security system maintainers to identify potential security breaches quickly and take corrective action.   

The verdict

News of analog’s demise has certainly been exaggerated, and there are many cases where a homeowner would be wise to give careful thought to having an analog surveillance system installed. 

Nevertheless, by selecting a well-regarded manufacturer and following good cybersecurity practices, homeowners can gain all the benefits of digital security systems while significantly mitigating their risks.