Myth No.14 ~ 'Upgrading IP systems is difficult and expensive'

It has become very common for analogue CCTV systems to be converted to digital, stage by stage. This is now a well-trodden path and it allows end-users to keep their existing hardware – from cameras to coaxial cable – and so reduce their costs.

End-users have often made a significant investment in analogue CCTV, and so not surprisingly opt for a phased transition to IP. They want solutions that combine both analogue and digital security technologies where possible.


Benefits such as remote accessibility, scaleability and cost-effectiveness can be achieved by integrating existing analogue equipment with products that provide the functionality of a digital system. In fact, nearly every analogue system - even the smallest – can potentially benefit from integration with digital technology.


Video servers enable existing analogue cameras to be put on to an IP network. In effect, converted analogue images can be sent over an Ethernet/IP network and viewed in the same way as video from networked IP cameras.


Sites looking to upgrade to IP technology will often have existing coaxial cable in place. Where this is the case, adapters can be used to run Ethernet data and power cost-effectively over the coaxial cable. IPSEC 2007 award winner Technetix, for example, states that “You can upgrade your existing analogue CCTV network to IP capability and reduce your installation costs and operational disturbance in the blink of an eye” with its adapt-x range of products.