BNC to CAT5 connected cameras

[kdreger]

We currently run a NVR302-16Q platform with 16 BNC cameras attached at various lengths along the front entrance in our gated community, I want to replace the stupid NVR with a tower PC, Win 10 PRO and Ethernet hub & BI with lots of storage. The question I have is since all the current cameras are BNC the cameras get the power from the coaxial cables and I need to plug them into a Ethernet hub but need a gender changer BNC>CAT. I have looked at zdyCGTime Balun HD Cat5 RJ45 to BNC Video Baluns transceiver Passive with Power Connector for 720P 1080P 3MP 4MP 5MP 8MP HD-CVI/TVI/AHD/CVBS/960H Camera(2 Pairs) to make the connection into the Ethernet hub but want to know if any of you have ever used something like this to convert BNC>CAT5 hubs? Don’t want to spend $$$$$$ just to find out it doesn’t work. The BNC lines are pretty long at some cameras, over the limit of any CAT cable so replacing that is not going to happen.

 

[sebastiantombs]

You need more than a gender bender. Coax cameras are CVI cameras, composite video information and not IP based packet information. There are converters to change from CVI to IP and there are CVI cards for use in a PC. Both are expensive ways to solve the problem.

 

[mat200]

We currently run a NVR302-16Q platform with 16 BNC cameras attached at various lengths along the front entrance in our gated community, I want to replace the stupid NVR with a tower PC, Win 10 PRO and Ethernet hub & BI with lots of storage. The question I have is since all the current cameras are BNC the cameras get the power from the coaxial cables and I need to plug them into a Ethernet hub but need a gender changer BNC>CAT. I have looked at zdyCGTime Balun HD Cat5 RJ45 to BNC Video Baluns transceiver Passive with Power Connector for 720P 1080P 3MP 4MP 5MP 8MP HD-CVI/TVI/AHD/CVBS/960H Camera(2 Pairs) to make the connection into the Ethernet hub but want to know if any of you have ever used something like this to convert BNC>CAT5 hubs? Don’t want to spend $$$$$$ just to find out it doesn’t work. The BNC lines are pretty long at some cameras, over the limit of any CAT cable so replacing that is not going to happen.

It may be better to just get a better DVR or XVR ...

 

[Flintstone61]

you can run a Blue iris Machine and catch the streams from an decent Amcrest XVR Pentabrid machine.
I'm doing it right now.
I have 8 Hikvision/Nightowl 5Mp coax cams, plugged into this machine below, I use the Nvr's IP address of 192.168.1.207 8x times in BLue iris and change the Channel # to pickup each cameras' RSTP stream In BI

https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-Security-Recorder-Smartphone-AMDV8M8-H5/dp/B09V1XZ41F/ref=sr_1_4?crid=Y4S2I7PSM5ID&keywords=Amcrest+AMDV8M8-H5&qid=1649956849&s=electronics&sprefix=amcrest+amdv8m8-h5%2Celectronics%2C99&sr=1-4

 

[Flintstone61]

no gender bending required. Not sure of the capabilities of your current recorder if you can catch the RSTP streams and receive them on BLue iris, with that machine or not.
If it does do that. You dont need to do anything.
Just build a BI machine and get couple big Surveillance hard drives.

 

[Flintstone61]

I'm living proof that Joe 5pack can get ripped off at Costco, and turn a loss into a win, with a Dahua OEM ( Amcrest) Dvr/Xvr coax recorder, and a Blue Iris Machine.

 

[Teken]

Just to add to the conversation it should be made clear there's a huge difference in just connecting coax for video vs powering the same to support a IP based hardware camera. If the camera's are simply going to use coax type hardware a network based NVR / DVR can be used.

If the goals is to move away from coax type hardware but reuse the same cable all the while power a IP based camera system. Again, they make switches and NVR / DVR's that provide POC (Power Over Coax) and single media converters to accomplish the same.

At the end of the day going with POC still requires two pieces of hardware from camera to the switch. Having a single box where all of the coax is connected and powered than connected to the network obviously makes a lot more sense! So it comes down to your budget and understanding there's going to be a balance of cost vs performance vs reliability.

Just an example of a POC Switch:

LRP-1622CS - Power over Coaxial Managed Switch - PLANET Technology

Power over Ethernet,Long Reach PoE Solution,Power over Coaxial Managed Switch,16-port Coax + 2-port 10/100/1000T + 2-port 100/1000X SFP Long Reach PoE over Coaxial Managed Switch,LRP-1622CS

www.planet.com.tw

 

[kdreger]

It may be better to just get a better DVR or XVR ...

I want to use a tower PC with Blue Iris and use IP cameras in the future.

 

[kdreger]

no gender bending required. Not sure of the capabilities of your current recorder if you can catch the RSTP streams and receive them on BLue iris, with that machine or not.
If it does do that. You dont need to do anything.
Just build a BI machine and get couple big Surveillance hard drives.

That is what I am planing to do, but have to figure out how to reuse the BNC equipment and cables...

 

[kdreger]

Just to add to the conversation it should be made clear there's a huge difference in just connecting coax for video vs powering the same to support a IP based hardware camera. If the camera's are simply going to use coax type hardware a network based NVR / DVR can be used.

If the goals is to move away from coax type hardware but reuse the same cable all the while power a IP based camera system. Again, they make switches and NVR / DVR's that provide POC (Power Over Coax) and single media converters to accomplish the same.

At the end of the day going with POC still requires two pieces of hardware from camera to the switch. Having a single box where all of the coax is connected and powered than connected to the network obviously makes a lot more sense! So it comes down to your budget and understanding there's going to be a balance of cost vs performance vs reliability.

Just an example of a POC Switch:

LRP-1622CS - Power over Coaxial Managed Switch - PLANET Technology

Power over Ethernet,Long Reach PoE Solution,Power over Coaxial Managed Switch,16-port Coax + 2-port 10/100/1000T + 2-port 100/1000X SFP Long Reach PoE over Coaxial Managed Switch,LRP-1622CS

www.planet.com.tw

Yes it does make more sense but to replace the "HUNDREDS" of trench and under street BNC wire is very expensive. I really would like to just use the current wires and cameras and configure them thru devices that give power to the cameras and allow me to rework them into a ethenet hub for future expansion and upgrade this stupid NVR system to a tower based PC with a ton or 2 of mass storage. I can't upgrade the current NVR to more than 6Tb which runs out in a week now......

 

[Teken]

Also just to add a little more clarity for those who may stumble upon this thread and might consider doing the same. If you're serious about converting from one media to another its important to consider whatever you install must be UL / cUL and weather rated.

If you try to stick some 3rd tier device outside up in the eves where its going to be damp, wet, super hot, humid, and boiling hot. All the while the device has no safety or testing and if it ever lights on fire and burns your home or business down.

You're truly SOL . . .

Lastly, don't confuse a media converter with a proper POC converter as one is energized and powered via the coax cable. Where the other requires external AC / DC power which adds another failure point and complexity.

 

[Teken]

Yes it does make more sense but to replace the "HUNDREDS" of trench and under street BNC wire is very expensive. I really would like to just use the current wires and cameras and configure them thru devices that give power to the cameras and allow me to rework them into a ethenet hub for future expansion and upgrade this stupid NVR system to a tower based PC with a ton or 2 of mass storage. I can't upgrade the current NVR to more than 6Tb which runs out in a week now......

You'll want a POC switch like the one I just referenced along with the POC adapter at the camera end - done.

 

[samplenhold]

I really would like to just use the current wires and cameras and configure them thru devices that give power to the cameras and allow me to rework them into a ethenet hub for future expansion and upgrade this stupid NVR system to a tower based PC with a ton or 2 of mass storage.

Like @Flintstone61 stated, you can possibly hook up a BI PC to the current recorder which already supplies the power to the cams. No additional hardware required. Get a laptop and use the trial version of BI to see if you can get this to work.

If it works, then future cam replacements can be done one at a time where you disconnect the offensive cam's BNC cable and use a balun at each end of the cable, connecting one end to a new IP cam and the other to a POE switch that is connected to your BI PC. You may have to work out waterproofing enclosures at the cam end. Some cams may not ever be able to be replaced due to long runs, but there are still good coax cams produced that you could replace old ones with.

 

[kdreger]

Also just to add a little more clarity for those who may stumble upon this thread and might consider doing the same. If you're serious about converting from one media to another its important to consider whatever you install must be UL / cUL and weather rated.

If you try to stick some 3rd tier device outside up in the eves where its going to be damp, wet, super hot, humid, and boiling hot. All the while the device has no safety or testing and if it ever lights on fire and burns your home or business down.

You're truly SOL . . .

Lastly, don't confuse a media converter with a proper POC converter as one is energized and powered via the coax cable. Where the other requires external AC / DC power which adds another failure point and complexity.

Actually all our connections will be in a new temp controlled building with heat, A/C and dehumid units.

 

[kdreger]

Like @Flintstone61 stated, you can possibly hook up a BI PC to the current recorder which already supplies the power to the cams. No additional hardware required. Get a laptop and use the trial version of BI to see if you can get this to work.

If it works, then future cam replacements can be done one at a time where you disconnect the offensive cam's BNC cable and use a balun at each end of the cable, connecting one end to a new IP cam and the other to a POE switch that is connected to your BI PC. You may have to work out waterproofing enclosures at the cam end. Some cams may not ever be able to be replaced due to long runs, but there are still good coax cams produced that you could replace old ones with.

Interesting thought, I just might try this. Thanks

 

[Teken]

Actually all our connections will be in a new temp controlled building with heat, A/C and dehumid units.

To be more specific the end device at each camera (media converter) needs to be properly weather rated and safety UL / cUL certified. You will not find any 3rd tier media converter that has gone under any safety testing & validation. Never mind displaying the a typical standards from UL, cUL, ETL, etc.

 

[kdreger]

Just to add to the conversation it should be made clear there's a huge difference in just connecting coax for video vs powering the same to support a IP based hardware camera. If the camera's are simply going to use coax type hardware a network based NVR / DVR can be used.

If the goals is to move away from coax type hardware but reuse the same cable all the while power a IP based camera system. Again, they make switches and NVR / DVR's that provide POC (Power Over Coax) and single media converters to accomplish the same.

At the end of the day going with POC still requires two pieces of hardware from camera to the switch. Having a single box where all of the coax is connected and powered than connected to the network obviously makes a lot more sense! So it comes down to your budget and understanding there's going to be a balance of cost vs performance vs reliability.

Just an example of a POC Switch:

LRP-1622CS - Power over Coaxial Managed Switch - PLANET Technology

Power over Ethernet,Long Reach PoE Solution,Power over Coaxial Managed Switch,16-port Coax + 2-port 10/100/1000T + 2-port 100/1000X SFP Long Reach PoE over Coaxial Managed Switch,LRP-1622CS

www.planet.com.tw

Checking on this now, thanks

 

[kdreger]

To be more specific the end device at each camera (media converter) needs to be properly weather rated and safety UL / cUL certified. You will not find any 3rd tier media converter that has gone under any safety testing & validation. Never mind displaying the a typical standards from UL, cUL, ETL, etc.

That is what I am trying really hard to not have to do. I understand that most all of these devices require a "SET", one at each end. I am trying to find something that will use the current BNC wire to carry power also.

 

[Flintstone61]

keep it simple mother fuckers.
he just need's PC with BI.
and maybe a different DVR/XVR
(No Hik, No Nightowl) Dahuha OEm. like my like Amcrest or something.
Im in his exact situation. and im recording my coax cams to my BI PC, and the DVR is just the middle man.

 

[kdreger]

keep it simple mother fuckers.
he just need's PC with BI.
and maybe a different DVR/XVR
(No Hik, No Nightowl) Dahuha OEm. like my like Amcrest or something.
Im in his exact situation. and im recording my coax cams to my BI PC, and the DVR is just the middle man.

I was thinking the same thing, just get a PCI board that has enough BNC connectors and plug the darn thing into the PC! Just don't know if the PC I am looking at has enough PCI slots as it only has 4 bays in it....might have to rethink that PC and go for something with more slots instead of trying to convert the cable mess