Open a ceiling in an older New York building and you may find coaxial cable left by a previous camera system. Open another and find none, only plaster and brick. The wiring you have, or can run, shapes which cameras you can use and what an upgrade will cost. Coax carries analog and HD analog video. Ethernet carries IP video and power over a single cable. Neither is always better; the right choice depends on your building, budget and goals. This guide compares coax and Ethernet wiring for cameras: how each works, what they can carry, distance limits, power, cost, reuse, conversion options and how to decide when you're upgrading an existing building.
This is general information. Testing on site is the only way to know whether existing cable is usable. Ask your installer to assess it.
1. The Short Version
| Factor | Coax | Ethernet (Cat5e/Cat6) |
|---|---|---|
| Video type | Analog, HD analog | IP |
| Power | Separate wire or supply | PoE on the same cable |
| Typical max distance | Roughly 150 to 500 m depending on type and format | 100 m (328 ft) |
| Resolution | Up to 4 MP and beyond with HD analog (format dependent) | 4 MP, 8 MP and higher |
| Features | Simpler | Advanced analytics, flexibility |
| Reuse | Great if cable is in place | Great if cable is in place |
| New install | Less common now | Standard |
2. How Coax Systems Work
Coaxial cable, commonly RG59 or RG6, carries a video signal from the camera to a recorder. Many installations use Siamese cable, which bundles coax with a power pair. Cameras connect with BNC connectors. Modern HD analog formats send high-definition video over the same cable. The recorder, a DVR or XVR, digitizes and records. The system is simple, and cameras are less expensive than IP equivalents. Our guide on XVR and hybrid recorders explains how to upgrade over old coax.
3. How Ethernet Systems Work
IP cameras send digital video over network cable to a recorder or software. With PoE, the same Cat5e or Cat6 cable carries power. A PoE switch supplies the power and connects cameras to the network. IP offers higher resolutions, features like on-camera analytics, easier integration with other systems and flexible mounting. It also demands network planning: switches, bandwidth, security and addressing. Our guide on Cat5e vs. Cat6 covers cable choices.
4. Distance
Ethernet is limited to 100 meters (328 feet) per run without extenders or fiber. Coax can go farther, often several hundred meters, depending on cable type, format and resolution. For a long run across a large lot or between buildings, coax can be more convenient, though fiber or switches in the middle can solve the same problem for IP. Higher HD analog resolutions work over shorter distances on thin cable. Test each run. Our guide on reusing existing cabling explains how.
5. Power
On coax systems, power usually comes from a separate wire, a Siamese power pair or a local power supply. That means more parts to protect and fail. With PoE over Ethernet, one cable does both, and a central switch with battery backup powers all cameras. That simplifies backup and maintenance. Our guides on PoE power budgets and on UPS backup explain how to design it.
6. Image Quality and Features
HD analog can deliver good quality, up to 4 MP or higher on newer formats. IP cameras generally go further: higher resolutions, wide dynamic range, advanced low-light performance, on-camera person and vehicle detection and efficient compression. If your goals include analytics, license plate capture or integration with access control, IP is the better foundation. If your goal is a clearer picture than your old standard-definition system, HD analog over existing coax may be enough. Our guide on analog vs. IP explains the differences.
7. Cost Comparison
Reusing coax can save thousands in labor. Hybrid recorders and HD analog cameras are relatively inexpensive. New Ethernet cable costs more in labor, particularly in finished buildings, but IP equipment brings more capability. Total cost depends on how hard the cable runs are. For a prewired or open-wall job, Ethernet is competitive. For a sealed brownstone with good coax in place, coax may be cheaper. Our guide on the cost of installing cameras shows typical ranges.
8. Conversion Options
You can bridge the two worlds. Media converters and baluns can send IP over coax, letting you use IP cameras on old runs. These add cost and potential failure points, and performance depends on the cable. In the other direction, you can run HD analog over certain twisted-pair cable with baluns. These are compromises. Ask your installer to show you the options and costs. Where cable is poor or very old, replacing may be cleaner.
9. Security
IP systems are on a network, which means they need strong passwords, updates and careful configuration. Analog systems have a smaller attack surface, but the recorder is still network-connected for remote viewing and must be secured. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency offers guidance at cisa.gov. Check the FCC Covered List at fcc.gov, and read our guide on NDAA-compliant cameras for equipment concerns.
10. Building Considerations
Brownstones and rowhouses. Plaster, brick and tight chases make new cable hard; reuse what you can. See our guide on wiring through brick and plaster.
Prewar apartment buildings. Shared shafts and fire-stopping rules complicate runs.
Commercial space. Drop ceilings often make Ethernet easy; conduit may be needed.
Garages and outbuildings. Distances and weather favor careful cable choice, conduit and surge protection.
New construction or renovations. Pull Cat6 while walls are open. See our guides on prewiring and renovation wiring.
11. When Coax Makes Sense
- You already have good coax in place.
- The cameras are far from the recorder.
- Budget is tight and the goal is a clearer picture.
- Opening walls is difficult or prohibited.
- You want a phased upgrade.
12. When to Pull Ethernet
- You are building or renovating.
- You want 4 MP to 8 MP or higher and advanced features.
- You want PoE simplicity and battery backup from one location.
- Your coax is old, corroded or inaccessible.
- You plan to add other network devices, such as access points or access control.
- You want long-term flexibility.
13. Cost
Planning ranges in 2026: reuse-based four-camera coax upgrade, $1,100 to $2,800; four-camera IP system with new cable, $1,600 to $3,600; eight-camera system, $3,000 to $6,800; sixteen-camera commercial system, $6,500 to $13,000; per-drop cable labor, commonly $150 to $450. Difficult buildings cost more. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
14. News Context
Whatever the wiring, the goal is useful footage. In September 2026, News 12 reported that NYPD sought two suspects in 19 commercial burglaries across 16 Brooklyn neighborhoods. In August 2026, ABC7 New York reported that thieves broke into several Bay Ridge restaurants overnight, with surveillance cameras capturing a hooded figure with a flashlight in a basement. Upgrading wiring or cameras can turn a blurry clip into a usable one.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% and retail theft down 15% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD).
15. Questions to Ask Your Installer
- What wiring do I have, and how did you test it?
- What can my coax carry?
- What would IP on new cable cost versus HD analog on old coax?
- Are converters a good idea here?
- How will power and backup work?
- Which option gives the best result for my budget?
See our local pages for security camera installation in the Bronx, commercial camera installation in Brooklyn, business camera installation in Queens and our services page.
Not sure what is in your walls? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots, and test what you have.
16. A Hypothetical Decision
A Queens shop owner has six cameras on RG59 coax from years ago and a failing DVR. The installer tests the runs and finds them good. Option A: an XVR and six HD analog cameras on the existing coax, around $1,900 installed. Option B: new Cat6 to each location with IP cameras and an NVR, around $3,800 with ceiling work. The owner picks Option A now and plans to move to IP in stages when she renovates. Both are sensible; the right answer depends on budget, goals and timing.
More From Revolvis
Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:
- Keyless entry installation and smart lock installation
- Access control systems and commercial access control
- Video doorbells and intercoms
- Alarm system installation
- Complete unified security
Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.
Areas We Serve
Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.
- Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
- Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
- Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
- The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
- Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
- Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.
The full list is on the service areas page.
Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit
Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:
- The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
- Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
- Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
- How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
- Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.
Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my old coax for new cameras? Often yes, for HD analog cameras with an XVR, after testing the cable.
Is Ethernet better than coax? It offers more resolution, features and PoE simplicity. Coax can be cheaper if cable exists.
What is the distance limit for Ethernet? 100 meters (328 feet) per run.
Can I run IP cameras over coax? With converters, yes, but it is a compromise.
Which is easier to back up with a UPS? PoE over Ethernet, since one switch powers all cameras.
Which should I choose in a renovation? Pull Cat6 while the walls are open.
Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.
Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.