How to Upgrade an Old Coax Camera System Without Rewiring
How do I upgrade an old coax camera system without rewiring?
Updated November 2026 · Prices update live from silarius.com
You can upgrade an old coax (BNC) camera system without pulling new cable. Keep your analog cameras and replace the DVR with the Silarius SIL-XVR4CH, which records 4 BNC cameras and IP cameras together, or run new IP cameras over the existing coax with a coax extender such as the SIL-EOC1.
Four ways to reuse the coax you already have
| Product | Use it to | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIL-XVR4CH | Keep the analog cameras | Replaces the old DVR: 4 BNC inputs plus IP cameras, up to 5MP, 1 drive bay | $169.99 |
| SIL-EOC1 | Run an IP camera over the old coax | Passive IP extender over coax, sold as a pair (one at each end) | $62.99 |
| SIL-C2HD | Bring an analog camera onto an IP network | Coax-to-IP converter | $76.99 |
| SIL-POC1 | Power an analog camera over its coax | Power-over-coax transceiver for AHD, CVI, TVI and CVBS cameras | $61.99 |
Descriptions are taken from each product page. Check the product page for distance and power details before you plan a run.
Option 1: keep the cameras, replace the recorder
If the analog cameras still give a usable picture, the cheapest upgrade is the recorder. An XVR records analog (BNC) cameras and IP cameras on the same box, so you can add IP cameras one at a time as old ones fail. The SIL-XVR4CH has 4 BNC inputs and is also sold with a 2, 4, 6 or 8 TB drive.
Option 2: IP cameras on the old cable
Put one SIL-EOC1 at each end of an existing coax run and connect a new IP camera, such as the Silarius X 5MP bullet, at the far end. You get IP camera quality without opening walls.
Option 3: mix both
Many sites keep analog cameras where detail is not critical and move doors, registers and parking to IP cameras over the old coax.
Add cloud recording to an old system
An NVR or DVR, including an XVR, connects to Silarius Cloud through a Silarius Gateway; each camera on the recorder is added on its own, and the recorder needs ONVIF or RTSP turned on. Analog cameras connect through their DVR. Plans start at $6.99 per camera per month.
Related guides
- The best NVR for your cameras
- How much NVR storage do I need?
- What size PoE switch do I need?
- All buying guides
Questions
Can I use my existing coax cable for IP cameras?
Yes. A coax extender pair such as the Silarius SIL-EOC1 (one unit at each end of the run) carries the network signal over the old coax so an IP camera can use it.
Can I replace my DVR and keep my analog cameras?
Yes. An XVR such as the Silarius SIL-XVR4CH records 4 analog (BNC) cameras and also accepts IP cameras, so you can upgrade one camera at a time.
What is an XVR?
A hybrid recorder that records analog (DVR) and IP (NVR) cameras on the same box.
Can an old DVR record to the cloud?
Yes. A DVR or NVR connects to Silarius Cloud through the Silarius Gateway, each camera added on its own, with ONVIF or RTSP turned on in the recorder.
What warranty do Silarius recorders have?
Every Silarius camera, recorder and switch has a 3-year full Silarius warranty (solar products have their own terms).
Do Silarius products ship free?
Yes. Every Silarius-brand product ships free in the US, at any order size.