The Upgrade Dilemma
Every site with an aging analog CCTV system faces the same question: replace the cameras with IP, but what about the cabling? Pulling new Cat5/6 through finished walls, concrete floors and landscaped grounds is expensive and disruptive.
There is a better way. If the site already has coaxial cable running to each camera position, IP-over-coax converters let you upgrade to IP cameras using the existing coax.
How Coax-to-Ethernet Conversion Works
A pair of converters is used:
- Camera side: a small converter connects to the IP camera's Ethernet port and modulates the signal onto coax.
- Switch side: a matching converter demodulates it back to standard Ethernet at the NVR or switch.
The coax carries both data and PoE power in some models, so the camera is powered over the same cable — no separate power runs needed.
Distance Comparison
| Medium | Max Distance |
|---|---|
| Cat5e Ethernet (standard) | 100m |
| PoE extenders (cascaded) | 200-400m |
| IP-over-coax | up to 2000m |
For long perimeter runs and inter-building links, coax conversion beats both Ethernet and many fiber alternatives on cost and installation effort.
When This Is the Right Choice
- You are upgrading an existing analog CCTV system
- The coax is in good condition and tested
- Camera positions are 200-2000m from the switch room
- Pulling new Ethernet is impractical or too costly
When It Is Not
- No coax exists at the site
- The coax is damaged or waterlogged
- You need more than 100Mbps per camera (4K with high bitrate)
Installation Tips
- Test the coax first — use a cable tester to confirm continuity and check for water ingress in outdoor runs.
- Use one pair per camera — converters are typically point-to-point; each camera needs its own converter pair.
- Match PoE support — if the camera needs power over the run, choose converters that pass PoE.
- Protect the endpoints — add surge protectors at both ends of outdoor coax runs.
Real-World Example
A factory site with 32 legacy analog cameras upgraded to 32 IP cameras. All existing RG59 coax was reused. The job saved an estimated 60% of the cabling budget versus pulling new Ethernet, and the longest camera run was 480 meters — impossible with standard Ethernet, trivial with coax conversion.
Summary
Coax-to-ethernet converters turn your legacy cabling into an asset instead of an obstacle. If you have existing coax in good condition, converting to IP over coax is faster, cheaper and less disruptive than rewiring. Send us your site diagram and cable lengths for a free upgrade assessment.
