I had not been too involved with CCTV until not too long ago. All my experience has been with standard analog cameras and networkable DVR's. I would like to learn more about what IP cameras offer and am starting my research, but wanted to hear from people that use both technologies for their input. Plusses and minuses of each, costs differences between both, ease of installation of both. I think I am correct in that MP cameras are offered in IP cameras only?

A couple specific questions I have are:
1) Do you (or can you) setup a DVR local to the site or some other site? I have read that some IP cameras contain storage space right in the camera housing themselves, so it may not be necessary.

2) Can you use a single Cat5/6 connect to an IP camera for video and power?

3) Do manufacturers offer software to view IP cameras that is similar to software used for analog DVR systems?

I know this is probably basic stuff for a lot of you and appreciate any input you have on the subject. Thanks in advance.

Some Panasonic cameras have an sd card slot for on camera storage.
Some Panasonic cameras allow voip operation with additional power injectors.
Yes

I think you can do both, but it gets very expensive to store off site. Onsite stand along boxes are often called NVR's (Network Video Recorder). The storage on the camera i think would only be used for a very simple 1 or 2 camera solution. 

Yes, if you have PoE camers and PoE Switch or injectors. This is the ideal setup IMO. That said, data only requires 2 pair, so if the runs are short and you are using cat6, you may be able to get away with running power over the other 2 pair. I've never tired this with IP camera so i can 't say how well it would work.

Usually an IP camera spits out its own browser page for basic viewing and some even to 2-way audio. Otherwise the NVR/DVR would do the same as an analog system.

I've used IP cameras for standalone setups but haven't done a full system yet. I've been doing some research as we have a couple prospective jobs, but nothing yet. 

Thanks for the info so far. The reason I decided to start looking at IP cameras is because of a job I looked at recently. This came to me as a referral from another client. Potential client is renovating a small apartment building with I believe about 6 units. He wired it for cameras, using CAT6 only. There are 7 locations, 3 inside, and 4 outside. Typically I would spec in either some Wirepath 500 or 700 series cameras or Digital Watchdog Vandal proof domes for the outside, and possibly inside as well so tenants don't mess with them. The client has a friend telling him that he has to go megapixel, as he did not and he regrets it. So I wanted to start doing some research being that I don't have any experience with them. My research (which has not been much yet) led me to believe that megapixel cameras are only available on IP cameras. If this is not true, please correct me.
It sounds like we may be able to utilize the single CAT6 that is run to each location for both power and video, but you have not tried it yourself. Really trying to figure out if he is SOOL and we have to cut to run new lines.

Have a look at Y-Cam Bullet HD's for outside, Y-Cam eyeballs for inside

About to do my own house with them all over 1 CAT6 each (POE switch at rack)

I have succesfully installed a 32 camera analog system with runs from 1500-3000' and local power supplies for each camera >300' and run Analog Video and power over a single Cat6 to the camera. 

We punched lines down at Building IDF where we installed power supplies and a single Cat6 from there to the cam. 

[Link: iseerealtime.com]

[Link: iseerealtime.com]

I haven't looked into it closely, but I know Axis offers a lot of online training, free. Of course, it will be Axis-centric, but I bet it's a great starting point. And, you could start tonight.

for HD analog cctv you can start here
http://www.highdefcctv.org/

hdcctv analog specs here
[Link: highdefcctv.org]

good place for cctv questions also
http://www.cctvforum.com/

for ip cameras cost has been one of the largest setbacks so far. the cost for 16, 32, etc. ip cameras vs. an analog dvr and typical analog cameras can become quite substantial for many projects.

also ip cameras notoriously have low light issues. analog can also but it is a major headache on ip camera side. there have been some gains but always great to have decent lighting for ip cameras.

outdoor tends to also be more of an issue with ip cameras as there are more digital components. you either need outdoor rated cameras or put indoor ip cameras in housing/blowers. i would say most ip cameras are indoor not outdoor rated. cheapest outdoor rated ip cameras i have run into are panasonic kx series. if price is not so much of an issue mobotix and axis can be mid range for cost and sony, sanyo more at the top end for cost.

all ip cameras can have a live view from web page. for recording many camera manufacturers put out some kind of nvr computer recording software for free but only for their cameras. if you mix/match or add different ones later on you need to start looking at 3rd party nvr software. you may still look at 3rd party nvr software depending on your needs as the free one from manufacturer may not have everything you need (for instance maybe you need to view on mac and they only have windows option).

for nvr software you can get pure software solution or hybrid hardware/software solution like Exacq has for instance.

for the local storage option on the ip camera itself there are cameras that do this however this is typically used for an offloading solution; not full recording option. in other words they will use this to record for x time and then transfer that recording to pc somewhere (maybe they have more bandwidth at night to transfer/stream video back to main pc because a lot of traffic on network during the day, cheaper wan costs off peak hours to transfer remotely, etc.). also it is mainly used for when the camera goes offline (something happens to network, cat5/6 loses connection, etc.). then they can still record and go back later to retrieve video they would have lost without the option. most cameras that have this option use sd card and typical large size for sd card might be 32GB. i don't know any dvr that only records with 32GB. it would not suffice. even for 1 camera. and now you need a 32GB card for each ip camera which again adds up in cost.

common 3rd party nvr software
exacq
milestone
indigo vision
video insight
luxriot
zoneminder (free. popular open source. linux)

hybrid hardware/software option
exacq
nuuo
synology
qnap

cheaper examples
webcamxp
blue iris
[Link: alternativeto.net]

some other examples here
[Link: iscwest11.mapyourshow.com]

[Link: iscwest11.mapyourshow.com]

Wow, great info guys. I am going check out the training with axis as well as go through all the links you posted twilo. Thanks, I really appreciate the help.

What kind of ip camera did you end up going with?

Currently searching for a budget minded IP dome camera that can survive temps down to minus 15 degrees and highs up to 100 degrees.