Security camera installations vary greatly depending on what the requirements for the system are. A common problem that we are contacted about is sending multiple camera signals over one wire in a HD over coax system. Fortunately there is a solution for sending up to 4 camera signals over 1 wire using equipment called passive video balun hubs. A pair of hubs is able to send 4 camera signals from a transceiver to a receiver and then to a DVR using 1 Ethernet cable rather than installing a separate cable for each camera back to the DVR.
Passive balun hubs have BNC connectors to connect cameras to the transceiver hub. The receiver hub has BNC connectors to forward video channels to a DVR, or monitors with BNC inputs. The transceiver and receiver hub connect to one another using a single Ethernet cable. Most balun hubs are able to transmit up to 4 cameras over 1 Ethernet cable.
The maximum transmission distance between hubs depends on the resolution and signal type of cameras as well as the quality of the cable. With good quality cable, 1080P HD signals are transmissible up to 620ft between hubs. 720P HD signals are transmissible up to 1300ft. Analog CVBS signals can also be transmitted up to 1300ft for color video. If someone only needs analog video without color in black and white mode then the distance between hubs can be as far as 1900ft.
In the tutorial video below we use an active balun hub that is also able to provide power. However, for most installations we recommend using a passive hub without power. Providing power to cameras locally where they are installed is the best way to install and power cameras.
