The shift to digital video surveillance has happened. This shift provides a host of benefits and advanced functionalities that cannot be provided by an analog video surveillance system. The advantages include remote accessibility, high image quality, event management, intelligent video capabilities, easy integrations, and cost effectiveness.

Network cameras and video encoders can be configured and accessed remotely, enabling multiple authorized users to view live and recorded video at any time and from virtually any networked location in the world. This is advantageous if users would like a third party company, such as a security firm, to also gain access to the video.

High image quality is essential to be able to clearly capture an incident in progress and identify persons or objects involved. With progressive scan and megapixel technologies, a network camera can deliver better image quality and higher resolution than an analog camera.