Analogue and HD-over-Coax Cameras

Analogue and HD-over-coax cameras are still installed daily in the UK, mostly because the existing cable infrastructure on retrofit jobs is RG-59 coax that nobody wants to repull. HD-TVI, HD-CVI and AHD all push 1080p, 4MP or 8MP video down that same coax — but only if the camera, the cable and the recorder all speak the same protocol. This module covers exactly what an installer needs to know to make that work.

What this module covers

The lessons explain HD camera resolutions (CIF, D1, 720p, 1080p, 4MP, 4K) and the bandwidth implications of each over coax, the cable types you actually find on UK sites (RG-59, RG-6, Cat5e baluns, shotgun cable with integrated power), the four main HD-over-coax protocols (HD-TVI, HD-CVI, AHD, plus traditional analogue), and how PTZ control travels back up the same cable using UTC or RS-485.

Who it is for

Installers handed a quote that says “upgrade existing analogue to HD”, electricians whose customer wants HD picture without rewiring, and anyone troubleshooting an HD-over-coax installation that produces a black screen or rolling image where it should be sharp.

Why it matters

Mismatched protocols are the single biggest cause of “new camera, no picture” on hybrid installations. A Hikvision Turbo HD recorder will accept HD-TVI cameras out of the box but needs the channel manually switched for HD-CVI or AHD — a setting that is buried two menus deep and not signposted in the box. Knowing the protocols, knowing where to switch them, and knowing the cable distance limits at each resolution turn an afternoon’s confusion into a ten-minute commission.

Lessons in this module

Lessons:

HD Camera Resolution
Cables for HD and Analogue Cameras
HD Camera Protocols
HD PTZ Analogue Cameras

This module is also available as a part of a comprehensive CCTV Installation Course for £149.