A PoE kit is the simpler choice when you can run network cable to each camera: one cable carries both power and picture, so there is no power lead at the camera end. A coax kit suits a property where coax cable is easier to run than network cable. Every kit we sell is Hikvision and comes in one box with the recorder, the cameras and a hard drive already fitted.
PoE and coax kits side by side
| PoE (IP) kit | Coax (Turbo HD) kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Cabling | One network cable per camera, plugged into a PoE port on the recorder | One BNC video cable with a DC power lead per camera, plus a power supply with a splitter |
| Power at the camera | From the recorder, over the same cable | From the power supply, through the lead |
| Cable in the box | 20m Cat6 patch cable for each camera | 20m RG59 cable with power lead for each camera |
| Resolution in our kits | 4MP, 8MP and 4K | 3K, 5MP and 4K |
| Cameras | Hikvision network (IP) cameras, in more than one body style | Turbo HD cameras from Hikvision or UKVISION, in more than one body style |
| Reusing old cable | Needs network cable of a suitable grade | Needs coax cable; check any existing cable and its connectors first |
The two types are not interchangeable. A coax recorder takes coax cameras and a PoE recorder takes network cameras, so if you add cameras later, buy the same type as the kit.
What is in a PoE kit
The PoE kits pair a Hikvision AcuSense NVR with PoE ports with Hikvision PoE cameras. The 4-channel 4K kit with four DS-2CD1383G2-LIUF/SL cameras has a DS-7604NXI-K1/4P recorder, a 2TB hard drive fitted, an HDMI cable for the monitor and four 20m Cat6 patch cables. The cameras are 8MP, which our listing calls 4K. Because the recorder powers the cameras, there is no separate camera power supply to fit.
What is in a coax kit
The coax kits use a Hikvision AcuSense DVR with Turbo HD cameras. The 4-channel 5MP kit with four DS-2CE78H0T-IT3FS cameras comes with an iDS-7204HQHI-M1/XT recorder, a 1TB hard drive, an HDMI cable, four 20m RG59 cables with a DC power lead, and a 12V 3A power supply with a four-way splitter. That means a mains socket near the recorder, and a cable run from every camera back to it.
Which kit sizes exist
Both types come with 4, 8 or 16 recorder channels. There are 13 PoE kits and 22 coax kits in our range. Our IP (PoE) kits page lists the PoE sets together, and the CCTV kits category shows every kit of both types. If you know how many cameras you need, the 4 camera kits category is the usual starting point for a house or a small shop.
The 16-channel PoE kits come with 16 or 8 cameras, so the 8-camera kit leaves free channels for adding cameras later. In the 4-channel kits the recorder has one channel for each camera in the box, so growing the system there means a larger kit or another recorder.
How to choose
- Check what is already in the walls. If you already have coax, check its condition and connectors before you plan to use it with a coax kit. If you are starting from nothing, network cable is the neater route.
- Measure each cable run from the camera position to the recorder, and compare it with the cable length in the box. Do not stretch a cable past what its maker rates it for; check the cable's datasheet.
- Decide where the recorder lives. A coax kit also needs a mains socket for its power supply; a PoE recorder needs a mains socket for itself only.
- Pick the resolution you need. The PoE range reaches 4K (8MP) and the coax range reaches 4K too, with 3K and 5MP options below it.
If you are still unsure, count your camera positions first, then choose the kit type that fits the cable you have. Both give you a recorder, cameras and a drive in one box.