Globally, security systems for new projects are almost all IP-based, due to various benefits of IP video surveillance, which enables better resolution and more advanced analytics to keep users situationally aware. However, for existing large-site projects or buildings with analog infrastructure, a full-scale migration to IP can be an expensive proposition. Against this backdrop, retrofitting these projects with Ethernet-over-coaxial (EoC) solutions can prove more cost-effective for end users.

Needless to say, IP has taken over the video surveillance market. All over the world, new projects or buildings are using IP video which offers high image quality, better integration with other networked devices as well as more advanced analytics capability. Indeed, demands for IP video are expected to drive further growth. According to Statistics MRC, the global video surveillance market had a size of $19.5 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $63.2 billion by 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 18.3 percent. IP-based video surveillance, on the other hand, is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 25 percent, the study said.

For existing large-site projects with coaxial cable infrastructure, they are looking to migrate to IP as well given its various benefits. However, this creates various challenges, the biggest of which is the cost and labor of replacing the whole analog infrastructure with IP. Most localities don't allow the cabling, even if it's not used, to stay in the building, so it has to be ripped out and replaced with the new wiring. That's expensive, said Kirby Han, Art Director at Altronix.

The IP device won't work with the coaxial cable, so you have to change the cables. That’s to say this is the biggest challenge. It may be difficult to lay the cables and conduits, said Kelvin Chan, Senior Product Manager at OT Systems. For this kind of project you need to identify the difficulties in laying the new cables, conduits and power point. One of the difficulties you will face is maybe you will damage the expensive decoration or furniture. The conduit is already inside the wall, so you need to break up your decoration.

Further, he added, another factor you need to beware of is the impact on your current operation. If you do this kind of work, you may have to do it overnight to minimize the impact and reduce downtime.

How EoC can benefit

That said, replacing the end devices, the cameras and recorders and leaving the coaxial infrastructure in place would be a cost-effective and less labor-intensive way to migrate. In this regard, EoC can come in handy.

EoC works by way of connecting IP devices to EoC adapters, which convert IP signals to analog ones that can be passed along the coaxial cable. Power generated by PoE switches or other power sources to supply the IP cameras can be transmitted over the coaxial cable as well via the power-over-coaxial or power-over-link technology.

Vendors have various EoC products and solutions to meet end users’ needs. Altronix, for example has EBridge EoC products enabling the deployment of IP cameras and devices over coax at distances up to 500 meters, reducing labor and installation costs. Products include single and multi-port adapters and receivers with built-in switches and network communications that generate PoE or pass through power. Indoor and outdoor solutions are available. OT Systems also has EoC products as well as Ethernet-over-UTP (EOUTP) solutions that extend Ethernet transmission distance and supplies 30W power over a single UTP cable.

In this way, EoC offers an ideal, cost-effective and less labor-intensive solution for end users as they transition to IP-based surveillance. If the coax is well enough to be used to the IP transmission, then EoC is fine, Han said. EoC will make it cheaper because the coax is already in the building. If you didn't want to rip and replace the coax cabling, you can leave it there.

The existing coaxial cables can be reused. You just need to replace the equipment on both ends, the frontend and backend, meaning the IP camera and the recorder in the control room, Chan said. Ethernet-over-cox will be a good sol for this kind of retrofit.