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The camera is mounted over the door, the recorder sits in a closet, and the cable between them has to carry the picture and the power. That is the moment to sort out security camera cable types, and the answer starts with the camera: an analog camera takes a BNC video and power cable, while a solar camera takes no cable at all.
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Security Camera Cable Types
The quick answer is that the common types are BNC video and power cables, which carry the picture and the DC power in one run, and Ethernet cables, which carry power and data for IP cameras. The listings in this guide show BNC cables from 10 feet to 200 feet, in 4-packs, with pure copper cores and support for 720p, 960p, 1080p, 3MP, 4MP and 5MP cameras. Match the cable to the camera connector, the resolution, and the distance, and check the length before you buy.
BNC video and power cables
The all-in-one BNC cable is the standard run for an analog DVR camera. One end carries the video signal through a BNC connector, and the other wire in the same run carries DC power to the camera, so one cable covers the picture and the power. The ABLEGRID cable (on Amazon) lists a 2.1mm center positive power connection, and the ANNKE cables fit cameras with 5.5 by 2.1 mm DC power connectors. BNC to RCA adapters come in the box with several of these cables, and they let the cable meet a recorder or a camera with an RCA jack.
| Cable | Length | What comes with it |
|---|---|---|
| ABLEGRID BNC cable | 100 feet | 4-pack, 2 BNC to RCA connectors with each cable |
| ANNKE BNC cable | 100 feet | 4-pack, 8 BNC connectors and 100 cable clips |
| Aimyzii BNC cable | 200 feet | 4-pack, 8 BNC adapters and 100 cable clips |
| Yuarisx BNC cable | 50 feet | 4-pack, 4 BNC to BNC and 4 BNC to RCA connectors |
| Cables Direct Online BNC cable | 10 feet | One cable, plug-and-play |
Use the table to pick the length first, then check the connectors in the box against the camera and the recorder.
How to match the cable to the camera
Start with the camera connector: a BNC cable fits a camera with a BNC jack, and the RCA adapters in the box cover a camera or recorder with an RCA jack. Then check the resolution the cable supports: the listings here cover 960H, 720p, 960p, 1080p, 3MP, 4MP and 5MP, and the Yuarisx cable (on Amazon) also lists 4K. Then check the system: these cables work with DVR systems running AHD, CVI and TVI cameras. When the camera uses a different connector, the cable will not fit, so read the camera manual for the connector type before you order.
Length and signal
Length is the next choice. The listings here run from 10 feet to 200 feet, with 50 feet and 100 feet and 150 feet in between, and most come as 4-packs for a multi-camera install. The included BNC and RCA connectors can double the connection distance, as the ANNKE listing states, so a run that falls short can gain length from the adapters in the box. Keep the run as short as the install allows, and coil the spare length where it stays dry and out of the way.
Indoor, outdoor, and buried runs
A cable that runs outdoors has to stand up to rain, sun and wind. The ANNKE cable is listed as weatherproof and fire rated, and fits on the surface, in a wall, between floors, buried under the ground, outdoors and indoors. The Aimyzii and Yuarisx cables are listed as weatherproof for indoor and outdoor use, and the ANNKE 4-pack cable uses multi-layer shielding and high-purity copper cores for tensile strength and bend resistance. Pure copper runs through most of these listings, and the ABLEGRID cable states a pure copper core as well. Check the listing for the cable you buy, and match the run to the place it will live.
A short checklist before you buy
- Check the connector: match the BNC plug to the camera jack, and keep the RCA adapters for a recorder with an RCA jack.
- Check the length: measure the run from the camera to the recorder, then pick 10, 50, 100, 150 or 200 feet with room to spare.
- Check the resolution: match the cable to the camera resolution, from 720p to 5MP, and to 4K where the listing states it.
- Check the power plug: match the DC plug to the camera power jack, such as the 5.5 by 2.1 mm connector the ANNKE cables fit.
- Check the run: match the cable to the place it will live, outdoors, in a wall, or buried under the ground.
FAQ: power away from the grid
Can I use a BNC cable with an IP camera?
No. BNC cables suit analog DVR cameras running AHD, CVI and TVI, while IP cameras use Ethernet for power and data. See the solar vs wired security camera guide for the wired options.
How long can a security camera cable run?
The listings here run from 10 feet to 200 feet, and the included BNC and RCA connectors can double the connection distance. Measure the run first, then pick the length with room to spare.
Do security camera cables carry power?
The all-in-one BNC cables carry video and DC power in one run. The ABLEGRID cable lists a 2.1mm center positive power connection, and the ANNKE cables fit cameras with 5.5 by 2.1 mm DC power connectors.
Can a BNC cable run outdoors?
Yes, when the listing states it. The ANNKE cable is listed as weatherproof and fire rated, and fits outdoors, in a wall, between floors, and buried under the ground. Check the listing for the cable you buy before you run it outside.
Related solar guides
See the solar security cameras guides, the what is a good security camera guide, the dome vs bullet solar security camera guide and the solar vs wired security camera guide.
