Replace typical 4-channel video encoders with a full IP system

4 Channel Video Encoder Replacement

Re-use existing coax currently used for analogue cameras

Replace typical 4-channel video encoders with a full IP system

Reliably power new IP cameras with POE over coax

Fully automatic installation - no set-up of EOC* adaptor required

Simple fast, cost-effective installation, less time on site

Compatible with HIGHWIRE Powerstar Camera EOC* adaptors

Gigabit Ethernet network uplink and optional SFP port

Replace your analogue cameras with IP

The HIGHWIRE Powerstar product family offers reliable power delivery and long-range extension even over low-grade coaxial cable and now enables direct replacement of existing analogue video encoders to allow cost-effective upgrade to IP cameras

Existing Video Encoders

Many CCTV installations made the first step to IP video by using analogue video encoders to digitise their existing analogue cameras and stream IP video onto their network. This allowed the analogue cameras running over existing coaxial cables to be used with modern network video recorders (NVRs) and to be streamed anywhere on the network (to a video wall, operator screen or display monitor for example). Video encoders were frequently used to get the video onto a network at the most convenient point thus avoiding having to run coax cable very long distances all the way to the equipment room end. Digitising and networking the video also added some flexibility to the system in terms of how the video data was routed and used, and indeed this is part of the power of IP Video systems.

Legacy Video Encoders

Existing video encoders come in many forms, but by far the most common is the stand-alone four-channel encoder, as manufactured by hundreds of different companies around the world. All have very similar characteristics: Four BNC connections for the coax cables, a network connection and a power connection.

PTZ Control/Audio

Some video encoders also had RS232 or RS485 ports for controlling analogue PTZ cameras. Of course, such serial connections are not required for IP PTZ cameras, as all control signals go through the Ethernet network connection along with the digital video. Likewise, some analogue encoders had audio I/O, but again, separate audio connections are not required for IP cameras, as the signals are incorporated into the network data and recorded by the NVR. HIGHWIRE Powerstar Base 4 directly replaces the analogue encoder unit.

Direct Encoder Replacement

HIGHWIRE Powerstar Base 4 builds on the market-leading HIGHWIRE range of Ethernet-over-coax (EOC) adaptors from Veracity, and is designed as a direct replacement for legacy analogue video encoders.

EOC Base and Camera Units

The legacy analogue encoder - shown in the diagram - is replaced by a HIGHWIRE Base 4 unit and the coax cables are connected to four separate single-channel HIGHWIRE Powerstar Camera adaptors. Note that Duo and Quad Camera adaptors are also available. The low-resolution, locally powered analogue cameras are replaced by high-resolution POE powered IP cameras. A Gigabit Ethernet uplink connection on the HIGHWIRE Base 4 ensures there is no network bandwidth limit on available image quality and resolution.

Automatic connection

As soon as the power is supplied to the Base 4 unit, a connection is established automatically with the Camera units, the IP cameras are powered up and the camera IP addresses will be available on the network. The HIGHWIRE units require no configuration, do not require IP address settings and are completely transparent to the network.

Recommended Power Supplies

There are two PSU options available for HIGHWIRE Powerstar Base 4 units. They are 57V DC to provide the maximum power and distance possible within the POE standard. (IEEE 802.8af and 802.3at) The options provide 40W or 80W. The 40W unit provides 10W per channel over the coax on the Base 4 unit, which is sufficient for most static IP cameras. The 80W unit provides up to 20W per channel on Base 4.