What's the difference between HD and Megapixel Surveillance Cameras?
While 2009 was the year of megapixel surveillance cameras, it was also the year where confusion between HD and megapixel cameras began. Historically, everyone who sold cameras with 1 million pixels or more called them megapixel cameras. However, in the last 6 months, a number of manufacturers have begun touting their new megapixel cameras as HD.
Indeed, Axis emphasizes HD, rather than megapixel in its marketing, causing many to ask what is the difference and which is better?
HD vs. Megapixel
HD is a type of megapixel camera. All HD cameras are megapixel but not all megapixel cameras are HD.
While standard definition cameras (e.g., analog cameras and 4CIF IP cameras) have no more than 400,000 pixels, all megapixel cameras (including HD) have 1,000,000 or more pixels.
HD's Key Features Compared to Typical Megapixel
The key features of HD for video surveillance is:
Maximum HD resolution is 2.1MP, maximum megapixel resolution is 20MP or more with 5MP cameras are common from numerous vendors
HD video format is 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080 (megapixel cameras can offer many more formats)
HD aspect ratio is 16:9 (compared to 5:4 or 4:3 in other surveillance cameras)
HD frame rate is 30/25 (where megapixel cameras are often 3 - 15 frames)
HDTV has quality compliance standards (where megapixel simply specifies the number of pixels)
Which is Better?
This is not a clear cut case - it will depend on applications. Some applications really need more than 2.1MP (the maximum for HDTV today) and do not need high frame rates (those should choose non-HD megapixel cameras). Other applications will care more about high frame rate and maximum image quality (where HD cameras will be best).
However, since Axis has put its marketing efforts behind HDTV, expect HD's importance to increase significantly. Indeed, I see this as a cunning competitive move on Axis' part to generate perceived differentiation over incumbent megapixel providers such as Arecont Vision,Foxtech.uk, IQinVision and Mobotix. It also leverages the consumer interest on HDTVs. This aspect may not improve security but it sure does increased perceived quality.
******by John Honovich, IPVM posted on Jan 29, 2009 About John Contact John ******
While 2009 was the year of megapixel surveillance cameras, it was also the year where confusion between HD and megapixel cameras began. Historically, everyone who sold cameras with 1 million pixels or more called them megapixel cameras. However, in the last 6 months, a number of manufacturers have begun touting their new megapixel cameras as HD.
Indeed, Axis emphasizes HD, rather than megapixel in its marketing, causing many to ask what is the difference and which is better?
HD vs. Megapixel
HD is a type of megapixel camera. All HD cameras are megapixel but not all megapixel cameras are HD.
While standard definition cameras (e.g., analog cameras and 4CIF IP cameras) have no more than 400,000 pixels, all megapixel cameras (including HD) have 1,000,000 or more pixels.
HD's Key Features Compared to Typical Megapixel
The key features of HD for video surveillance is:
Maximum HD resolution is 2.1MP, maximum megapixel resolution is 20MP or more with 5MP cameras are common from numerous vendors
HD video format is 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080 (megapixel cameras can offer many more formats)
HD aspect ratio is 16:9 (compared to 5:4 or 4:3 in other surveillance cameras)
HD frame rate is 30/25 (where megapixel cameras are often 3 - 15 frames)
HDTV has quality compliance standards (where megapixel simply specifies the number of pixels)
Which is Better?
This is not a clear cut case - it will depend on applications. Some applications really need more than 2.1MP (the maximum for HDTV today) and do not need high frame rates (those should choose non-HD megapixel cameras). Other applications will care more about high frame rate and maximum image quality (where HD cameras will be best).
However, since Axis has put its marketing efforts behind HDTV, expect HD's importance to increase significantly. Indeed, I see this as a cunning competitive move on Axis' part to generate perceived differentiation over incumbent megapixel providers such as Arecont Vision,Foxtech.uk, IQinVision and Mobotix. It also leverages the consumer interest on HDTVs. This aspect may not improve security but it sure does increased perceived quality.
******by John Honovich, IPVM posted on Jan 29, 2009 About John Contact John ******
