Anyone here with CCTV security experience?

[Ken Layton]

I have not done an upgrade such as that, but I don't see why you couldn't use your existing cables. If you get a Lorex system like I linked in the previous post, you should be able to directly swap out the cameras and DVR and reuse the existing camera cables.

[dkersten]

Ken, have you ever installed an upgraded DVR/camera system like 1080p/720p on existing coax/power cables from a 480p system?  That kit looks great but I already spent a ton of time/effort running the cabling around my house for an older system (connections look the same though).  I would love a resolution upgrade now that those have come down so far in price.

Back when I was working professionally in the home theater business, all the engineers/manufacturers I talked to said coax cable (rg58, rg59, rg6) has a limit of about 600 lines of resolution.  Unless the cameras are sending digital data over a coax line, I would say the answer would be no.  On one hand I would expect modern cameras to use purely digital signals, but on the other, I would ask why use coax cabling when cat5 would be a better medium for digital signals... 

[Ken Layton]

Pre-made coax cables come with the Lorex system. That's what I used installing my friend's system and I'm getting 1920 x 1080 resolution.

[Ken Layton]

Lorex 8 camera 1080p resolution system just $499 at Costco:

http://www.costco.com/Lorex-8-Channel-HD-Analog-DVR-with-2TB-HDD%2c-8-1080p-Cameras-with-130'-Night-Vision.product.100218592.html

[ahofle]

I picked up the 8 camera Lorex system a few weeks ago from Costco when it was on sale for $449.  Installed it over my existing wiring and I am very happy with the results.  My only minor complaint is that the leads attached to each camera are shorter than my older cameras, so I couldn't place them in the same spots, but other than that I'm very happy with it.  I'm surprised how excellent the quality is over 100 feet of analog cabling.