HD Analog technology offers a compelling alternative to traditional analog and IP surveillance options. HD Analog video security solutions deliver megapixel resolution video over coaxial cabling (HD over coax), and are far less complex to install and operate compared to IP.
Since its introduction, several HD Analog formats have emerged, including: HD-SDI, AHD, HD-CVI and HD-TVI. While all HD Analog options offer the same basic benefits compared to analog or IP, each format features a unique set of capabilities and compatibilities.
At this time, there is no “standard” format – or established “winner” – in the HD Analog space. But, it is clear that certain formats are better positioned to succeed – offering clear competitive advantages that translate to significant and measurable benefits for the end user.
How HD Analog Formats Compare
Technology  | HD-CVI | AHD | HD-SDI | HD-TVI |
|---|
| Max Resolution (Pixels) | 1080p
1920 x 1080 px | 1080p
1920 x 1080 px | 1080p
1920 x 1080 px | 1080p
1920 x 1080 px |
Video Output Quality
(What you see) | Very good in daylight
Images not as crisp in low light conditions | Good
Images not
as crisp
Colors not as accurate | Very Good
Sharp images up to 1080p
True colors | Very Good
Sharp images up to 1080p
True colors |
Transmission
Distance | Coaxial Cable
(RG59) | 1600’ (720p)
1300’ (1080p) | 1600’ | 492’ | 1600’ |
Twisted Pair
(CAT5) | 650’ | 492’ | 350’
(digital converter
required) | 700’ |
DVR Input
Compatibility | Analog | All analog cameras, limited channels, limited configurations | All analog cameras, limited channels, limited configurations | Limited models, limited channels, limited configurations | All analog cameras, on any channel, in any configuration |
| HD Analog | Like-branded HD-CVI cameras, on any channel, in any configuration | Like-branded AHD cameras, on any channel, in any configuration | Like-branded HD-SDI cameras, on any channel, in any configuration | Any HD-TVI camera, on any channel, in any configuration |
| IP | Supported IP cameras, on select channels, in select configurations | N/A | N/A | Supported IP cameras, on 2 channels, in any configuration |
| DVR Hybrid Capabilities | Limited
configurability | Limited
configurability | Limited
configurability | Yes, unlimited configurability |
| Format Compatibility | Proprietary technology, only produced by 1 manufacturer, Dahua - out of China | Open
standard, limited manufacturers | Open
standard, multiple manufacturers - are currently exiting the market as alternative HD formats outpace SDI | Open standard, over 100 manufacturer's have launched or are developing solutions using TVI technology |
HD-SDI
HD-SDI is a digital format over coax usually. It's used in professional Television studios and tends to be very expensive.
HD-TVI
HD-TVI stands for High Definition Transport Video Interface.
The TVI standard was developed by a company named Techpoint and released in 2014 and adopted by many manufacturers, most notably Hikvision – Dahua’s primary competitor. Hikvision is the largest manufacturer of HD-TVI in the world.
LTS Security is the biggest reseller of their products.
HD-CVI
High Definition Composite Video Interface (HDCVI) was developed by
Dahua in 2012 and began to saw wide-release in 2014.
The PTZ cameras of the HDCVI type are capable of achieving that RS485 data connection without the use of an extra cable. It's all done right through the same coax cable that's transmitting video.
HD-CVI technology can at times be found masked by behind other names like HD-AVS or HD-MPX.
HD-AHD
AHD (Analog High Definition) developed by NextChip, a Korean manufacturer. AHD is interesting because most of its distribution has come in the form of no name brands. However, it was recently adopted by
Samsung, making the technology considerably more legitimate as far as mainstream markets and long-term sustainability go. HD-AHD cameras are very cheap and are intended to occupy the low-end market.
