• Reduced system cost and added functionality due to general-purpose IP networking equipment infrastructure.
• Choice of open-platform video recording hardware and software.
• Greatly reduced system cost due to low-cost cabling in large installations (CAT5e instead of RG-58 coaxial cable).
• Ability to use Power over Ethernet allowing for one cable to handle power and data.
• Flexible and seamless support for a variety of standard and multi-mega pixel image resolutions beyond NTSC, PAL and SECAM.
• Transmission of commands for PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras via the same cable.
• On-camera automated alerting via email or file transfer in response to video motion detection or dry-contact alarms.
• Support for different streaming media and compression formats to relieve transmission bandwidth and data storage requirements.
• Support for different streaming media and compression formats to relieve transmission bandwidth and data storage requirements.
• Integration of video surveillance with other systems and functions such as access control, alarm systems, building management, traffic management, etc.
• Future-proof installations with field-upgradeable products due to the ability to upgrade camera firmware over the network

Even with the enormous growth of CCTV and the recent acceleration in migration to digital video technology, significant hurdles remain for a majority of users in making the switch from analog to digital video recording. It is also important to know that in the transition from analog to digital surveillance systems, no system is too small or too tightly tied to analog technology, to benefit from digital technology. Even a single analog camera connected to a video server will provide the user with the full range of advantages that come from digital, networked surveillance.