The short answer
Analogue cameras send a video signal over coaxial cable to a DVR, while IP (network) cameras send digital video over network cable to an NVR, giving higher resolution and smarter features. Analogue is the older approach: simple, well proven and often cheaper, with modern HD-over-coax variants improving picture quality, but ultimately limited compared with digital. IP cameras capture and process video digitally, support much higher resolutions (4K and beyond), carry power and data on one PoE cable, and add features such as on-camera analytics and per-camera configuration. For most new home installs, IP is the forward-looking choice; analogue remains relevant mainly when reusing existing coax cabling or keeping costs down.
Choosing between analogue and IP affects picture quality, cabling, the recorder you need and which features you get. The sections below explain the differences in plain terms.
Analogue vs IP
- CableAnalogue = coax; IP = network (Cat5e/6)
- RecorderAnalogue = DVR; IP = NVR
- Top resolutionHigher on IP (4K+)
- Power and data on one cableIP via PoE
- Best for new installsIP
How analogue CCTV works
Analogue CCTV is the long-established technology. Each camera captures video and sends it as an analogue signal down a coaxial cable to a DVR (digital video recorder), which digitises and stores the footage. Power is usually supplied separately to each camera. Traditional analogue was modest in resolution, but newer HD-over-coax formats (such as HD-TVI, AHD and HD-CVI) deliver high-definition pictures over the same coax, which is why analogue is still installed today, especially where coax cabling already exists.
Its strengths are simplicity, reliability and cost: the technology is mature, components are inexpensive, and signal travels well over long coax runs without depending on a network. The trade-offs are a lower resolution ceiling than IP, fewer smart features, and the need for separate power to each camera unless extra kit is added.
How IP CCTV works, and the key differences
IP (Internet Protocol) CCTV uses network cameras that capture and process video digitally on the camera itself, then send it over standard network cable (Cat5e/Cat6) to an NVR (network video recorder) or directly across your network. With Power over Ethernet (PoE), a single cable carries both power and data to each camera, simplifying installation. Because the image is digital end to end, IP supports far higher resolutions — commonly 4K and above — and on-camera features such as people or vehicle detection, defined motion zones and per-camera settings.
The practical differences come down to resolution, cabling and features. IP generally gives a sharper, more detailed picture and more intelligence, at a somewhat higher cost; analogue is cheaper and simpler but more limited. The table summarises them.
| Aspect | Analogue (DVR) | IP (NVR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cable type | Coaxial | Network (Cat5e/Cat6) |
| Recorder | DVR | NVR |
| Typical resolution | Up to HD/4MP via HD-coax | Up to 4K and beyond |
| Power + data on one cable | No (usually separate) | Yes (PoE) |
| Smart analytics | Limited | Common |
| Relative cost | Lower | Higher |
Indicative comparison for guidance. Sources: manufacturer specifications, Checkatrade.
Cost, upgrading and which to choose
On cost, analogue systems are usually the cheaper option for camera and recorder hardware, which is why budget kits often use it. IP costs more per camera and recorder, but PoE can reduce installation labour because there is only one cable per camera, and you gain higher resolution and analytics for the money. If you are reusing existing coax from an old system, HD-over-coax analogue can be a sensible, economical upgrade without rewiring; if you are cabling from scratch, running network cable for IP keeps the system future-proof. Note that the two are not directly mixable end to end — analogue cameras need a DVR and IP cameras an NVR — though hybrid recorders exist to bridge a transition.
Which to choose depends on priorities and existing wiring. For a new home system where picture quality, detail (such as reading a number plate or recognising a face) and smart alerts matter, IP is the forward-looking choice and what most professionals now recommend. Analogue still makes sense to keep costs down, to reuse coax already in the walls, or for a simple system where ultra-high resolution is not essential. Either way, match the recorder to the cameras, plan cable routes before buying, and size the hard drive for how long you want to keep footage.
Frequently asked questions
Is IP CCTV better than analogue?
For picture quality and features, IP is generally better — it supports higher resolutions, single-cable PoE and on-camera analytics. Analogue is simpler and cheaper and remains useful where you want to reuse existing coax or keep costs down, so "better" depends on your priorities and existing wiring.
Can I mix analogue and IP cameras on one system?
Not directly on a single recorder, because analogue cameras need a DVR and IP cameras need an NVR. Hybrid recorders exist that accept both, which can help when gradually upgrading an older analogue system to IP without replacing everything at once.
Do I need to rewire to switch from analogue to IP?
Often yes, because IP uses network cable rather than coax, though some adaptors and HD-over-coax options can ease a transition. If you are installing from scratch, running network cable for IP is the more future-proof choice; if coax already exists, HD-over-coax analogue can upgrade quality without rewiring.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific property and system. They are guidance, not a quotation.