In this article, we will explain the hybrid BNC security cameras (4-in-1) and their purpose. Sometimes these types of cameras are called “HD analog Hybrid cameras” or “four in one” cameras.
Understanding what hybrid BNC security cameras are can be very helpful if you are shopping for a replacement camera for an existing surveillance DVR with BNC video inputs.
With so many different video standards and resolutions available, it can be very difficult for someone to figure out what type of security cameras are compatible with their DVR. “Hybrid security cameras” can make this easier.
HD Hybrid security cameras (BNC) are a type of CCTV camera that supports more than one video format and/or resolution. The video format can be AHD, HD-TVI, HD-CVI, analog (CVBS).
If you’re not sure what kind of cameras your DVR supports, you can get one of these cameras and switch all the video formats one by one until you see the color image (if it’s black and white, it’s the wrong video format).
You can switch the video format of the camera using the small joystick that is attached to the camera’s pigtail. To change the video format, you press and hold the joystick up, down, left, or right for 5 seconds.
The above picture shows an HD 4-in-1 (Hybrid security camera). This particular camera supports the following video formats/resolutions.
- AHD / 1080p (2 megapixel resolution – 1920 x 1080)
- HD-TVI / 1080p (2 megapixel resolution – 1920 x 1080)
- HD-CVI / 1080p (2 megapixel resolution – 1920 x 1080)
- Analog CCTV (CVBS) / 960H resolution (960 x 480)
There are other models that support 4mp, 5mp, and even 4K 8MP HD over coax cameras. When ordering a camera, be careful to make sure that your DVR supports such resolutions.
Certain DVRs support only 2MP cameras (and not 4MP or higher). Hybrid cameras are available with all of the most common features and styles: Dome cameras, Bullet cameras, night time and outdoor.
Note that these types of surveillance cameras are sometimes referred to by different names. Here are a few common ones: hybrid CCTV camera, 4-in-1 analog camera, hybrid HD over Coax camera, and hybrid security cameras.
