What Makes PoE CCTV Systems Superior to BNC Cameras?

Security and surveillance applications highly rely on surveillance cameras. Owing to the demand for security cameras, a wide variety of security cameras has been developed over the years. Out of all the advanced types of cameras, PoE CCTV systems and BNC camera systems are highly popular. Although BNC is one of the early players in the market, PoE is now considered superior to BNC cameras. Generally, BNC cameras are one of the most popular security camera systems in the security and surveillance industry. However, ever since PoE CCTV systems are introduced, the popularity of BNC cameras has reduced. Well, what makes PoE CCTV systems superior to BNC cameras? This post discusses the answer to this question. It offers an introduction to BNC camera systems and PoE CCTV systems followed by a comparison between both.

An Overview of BNC Camera Systems

BNC stands for Bayonet Neill-Concelman. BNC is an interface for coaxial cables that enables connection over radio frequency connectors. This type of connector interface is adopted in the security cameras and therefore such surveillance systems are known as BNC camera systems. The CCTV cameras are integrated with BNC connector systems to mount the CCTV cameras into the security and surveillance network. The BNC interface offers a connector with two bayonet lugs and coupling nuts to mount the CCTV cameras with the BNC cables.

The BNC camera systems are the analog systems that need to be integrated with digital video recorder (DVR) footage. Owing to a BNC connector interface, the CCTV cameras can be easily installed in a BNC system. These BNC camera systems have been so popular due to the easy installation, reliable performance, and stability of these interfaces.

An Overview of PoE CCTV Systems

The PoE CCTV systems feature PoE cameras. PoE stands for Power-over-Ethernet. The PoE CCTV systems are the integrated surveillance networks that run on the PoE technology. As the CCTV cameras in such a system are operated over the PoE, the entire system becomes easy to use, reliable, and can be powered during the active operation. These systems require PoE switches to connect multiple PoE CCTV cameras within the same network. For the internal connections, PoE systems require Cat5E or Cat6 cables.

Structured cabling can be done using PoE switches in a PoE CCTV system. This helps in making the system more manageable without running out of power.

Being a comparatively new yet advanced interface for surveillance camera networking, PoE is considered superior to BNC camera systems due to several beneficial capabilities of PoE CCTV systems.

Advantages of PoE CCTV Systems over BNC Systems

The following reasons will help you understand why PoE CCTV systems have gained popularity over BNC systems.

• The PoE CCTV cameras can be integrated into the already existing networks. These days, offices, residential areas, schools, industries, etc have already existing networks for several purposes. The PoE switches can be used to connect CCTV cameras to these already existing Ethernet networks without interrupting the original functionality of the network. This benefits cost-saving for building a whole new network for surveillance purposes.
• PoE cameras can be easily integrated into wireless networks or hybrid copper-fiber networks with the plug-and-play type of connecting mechanism.
• Unlike BNC analog cameras, the PoE CCTV cameras can display extremely high-resolution videos. PoE is reported to be compatible with the highest megapixel resolution in the range of CCTV cameras.
• PoE system offers individual monitoring and control interfaces for each camera in the network. Each camera is monitored and controlled by an individual switch. Therefore performance, termination, operation time, etc can be controlled remotely and without interrupting the function of other cameras in the PoE network.
• PoE systems are extremely easy to upgrade if assisted with remote software applications. The equipment interchange, switching the frame of vision, etc can be easily done by using remote software application without too much hassle.
• PoE systems require minimal cabling as a single cable performs video signal transmission and power transmission simultaneously. This way, the PoE networks become less intricate and easy to maintain.
• The PoE surveillance cameras can be mounted at remote locations, even where the direct source of power is not available. For remote surveillance applications, the PoE camera systems are of absolute benefit.
• The PoE systems can be managed for transmission and power supply as the PoE switches use a simple network management protocol (SNMP). The manageability of PoE surveillance systems makes them highly popular over BNC systems.

Owing to the above-mentioned benefits of PoE CCTV systems over BNC systems, the scope of application for PoE cameras is quite high. The PoE cameras are utilized in the following surveillance and security applications.

• Remote traffic monitoring
• Airport surveillance
• Digital video transmission networks
• Managed security and surveillance networks
• Defense surveillance networks

Now that the superiority of PoE CCTV systems over BNC systems is persuaded, it is important to understand that the quality and performance efficiency of PoE switches and cameras can impact the scope of application. Therefore, sourcing these devices from reliable suppliers can be beneficial.

R.W. Tull is the President of VERSITRON. He interfaces daily with current and potential end-users. R.W. works closely with clients to review layout diagrams and drawings in order to ensure that the best fiber optic solution is achieved.