CCTV (Analog) Cameras
CCTV stands for Closed-Circuit Television—traditionally, this refers to older analog home camera systems that send video over coaxial cables to a recording device (DVR). Analog CCTV cameras have been around for decades and are still used in some home and business systems, though they are gradually being replaced by IP cameras. A classic analog setup involves running a coax cable from each camera back to a DVR (Digital Video Recorder), which converts the analog feed to digital, records it to a hard drive, and often provides remote viewing via network. The pros of analog CCTV systems include simplicity and cost: the cameras themselves can be cheaper, and if you only need a basic surveillance setup (say 4 cameras around a small home), an analog bundle might be very budget-friendly.
They also tend to be straightforward to operate—many are plug-and-play. Analog cameras typically have limited resolution (historically around 480p, though newer analog HD standards can reach 720p or 1080p, but still not as high as many IP cams). This lower resolution and image quality is a con—the footage may not be as clear for identifying faces or details compared to modern megapixel cameras. Analog systems also lack the advanced features of digital ones (no built-in AI, for instance). Each analog camera needs a cable run to the DVR, similar to wired IP cams, which can be a bit of wiring spaghetti for larger setups (usually limited to 4, 8, or 16 cameras on a DVR). However, analog DVRs do reliably record continuously, and you own your footage locally, which some people prefer for privacy. Analog CCTV can be a viable option if you already have a pre-wired home with coax, or if you’re looking for a no-frills, local-only security system.
Do keep in mind that analog gear can become outdated—IP cameras offer much greater scalability (just add another camera to the network) whereas analog DVRs have fixed channels (e.g. an 8-channel DVR can only ever handle 8 cameras). In any case, “CCTV” in the home context today often refers to a self-contained local camera system (no cloud reliance), whether analog or digital. For this guide, we’ll consider CCTV as the traditional analog approach: lower-resolution, wired cameras feeding a local recorder. The choice between analog CCTV and modern IP usually comes down to cost vs. quality/features—analog can save money upfront and still provide basic security coverage, but IP (whether wired or wireless) will deliver better image quality and more features.
