Analogue to IP CCTV Upgrade in Leicester
Your analogue system was decent when it went in - but the technology has moved on. We replace outdated DVR and coax setups with modern IP cameras, PoE cabling, and NVR recording. The result is a massive jump in image quality, reliable connectivity, and footage you can actually use.
By the Doberman install team · CCTV system designers & installers, Leicester · Last reviewed February 2026
By the Doberman install team
CCTV system designers & installers, Leicester
Last reviewed February 2026
What you get
Existing analogue system audit
We test every camera, cable run, and DVR channel. You get an honest breakdown of what can be reused and what needs replacing.
IP camera and NVR specification
Cameras matched to your property - resolution, focal length, and IR range chosen for your actual distances and lighting conditions.
Cable assessment and reuse plan
If your existing coax or Cat5e runs are sound, we reuse them with balun adapters or direct PoE. Every cable is tested before we commit to a plan.
Full migration and old system removal
Old analogue cameras, DVR, and redundant cabling removed and disposed of. New IP system installed, configured, and night commissioned.
How it works
Audit
On-site assessment of your analogue system - camera models, cable types, DVR condition, and mounting positions. We test every run and document what we find.
Plan
Clear proposal showing what gets replaced, what gets reused, and what the new system looks like. Fixed pricing with no surprises.
Migrate
Old system removed, new IP cameras and NVR installed, cables reused or replaced as agreed. Night commissioning and full handover included.
Why analogue CCTV systems fail
Analogue CCTV systems installed in Leicester homes and businesses during the 2000s and early 2010s were built around a simple setup: coaxial cable from each camera back to a DVR. The technology worked at the time, but those systems are now showing their age. The most common problems we see are cameras producing 1MP or 2MP footage that is too blurry for identification, DVRs with small hard drives that overwrite after just a few days, and IR LEDs that have degraded to the point where night footage is effectively useless. We have replaced analogue systems across Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, and Oadby where the homeowner had no idea how poor their footage had become until they actually needed it.
The DVR itself is often the weakest link. Older DVRs run firmware that no longer receives security updates, have no smart detection features, and support a limited number of channels. If the hard drive is failing - and after five to ten years most are - the DVR may be dropping frames or failing to record entirely without any visible warning. SMART monitoring on modern NVRs catches drive problems before they cause data loss. Analogue DVRs rarely have this capability.
If your analogue system is still partially working, it can be tempting to leave it. But partial function is worse than no function - it gives you false confidence that you are covered when you are not. Our guide to CCTV upgrades covers the key warning signs in more detail.
The difference between analogue and IP CCTV
An analogue system sends a video signal over coaxial cable (typically RG59) to a DVR, which converts it to digital for storage. An IP system sends digital data over Ethernet cable (Cat5e or Cat6) to an NVR, which stores it directly. The practical difference is enormous. IP cameras produce 4MP, 6MP, or 8MP footage compared to the 1-2MP ceiling of most analogue cameras. You go from footage where a face is a blur to footage where you can read a number plate at 15 metres. Wide dynamic range, smart detection for people and vehicles, and remote access via app all come as standard on modern IP hardware.
PoE - Power over Ethernet - is the other major advantage. Each IP camera receives both power and data through a single Cat5e or Cat6 cable, run from the NVR or a PoE switch. No separate power supplies at each camera, no power adapters failing in the loft, no voltage drop issues on long runs. It is a cleaner, more reliable setup that is easier to maintain and troubleshoot. We cover the PoE vs Wi-Fi comparison in a separate guide, but the short version is that hardwired PoE is the professional standard for a reason.
For a deeper look at what camera specs actually matter when choosing your new IP cameras - resolution, sensor size, IR range, WDR, and codec support - our CCTV specs cheat sheet breaks it all down without the jargon.
Can your existing cables be reused?
This is the single biggest factor in the cost of an analogue-to-IP upgrade. If your property was originally wired with Cat5e or Cat6 cable - common in systems installed from around 2010 onwards - those runs can almost always carry PoE power and IP data to new cameras without any cable replacement. We test every run for continuity, signal integrity, and power delivery before confirming reuse. Across Leicester properties, the vast majority of Ethernet runs we test are reusable.
Coaxial cable - RG59 or shotgun cable - is more of a mixed bag. Short, well-maintained coax runs can be repurposed using balun adapters that convert the signal for IP use. But coax degrades over time, particularly at joints and where it has been bent sharply or exposed to moisture. We test each coax run individually. Roughly half of the coax runs we assess across Wigston, Braunstone, and Glenfield properties are reusable. Where they are not, we run new Cat5e or Cat6 through the existing cable routes wherever possible - this keeps the installation tidy and avoids external fixings on your brickwork.
Even in a worst-case scenario where all cables need replacing, the existing routes through loft spaces, wall cavities, and conduit often remain usable. That makes an upgrade easier and less disruptive than a first-time installation. As part of our CCTV upgrade service, we always look for ways to minimise cost without cutting corners on the result.
Pricing
The cost of an analogue-to-IP upgrade depends heavily on cable reuse. If your existing Cat5e runs are intact, the upgrade can cost 30-50% less than a fresh installation. If coax needs replacing with new Ethernet cable, the cost moves closer to a new install. We provide a fixed quote after the on-site audit - no estimates, no surprises.
Why Doberman
Cable testing before quoting
We test every cable run before recommending replacement. If your existing runs work, we reuse them - saving you real money.
Full system migration
We handle everything - old system removal, new IP hardware, cable reuse or replacement, configuration, and night commissioning.
Properly specified cameras
Cameras are chosen for your property - not pulled from a one-size-fits-all parts list. Focal length, resolution, and IR matched to actual distances.
No Wi‑Fi, no cloud dependency
Your new IP system runs on hardwired PoE with local NVR recording. No reliance on your broadband, no monthly subscriptions, no cloud storage fees.
About Doberman
Doberman is a Leicester-based CCTV installation company. We design, install, and upgrade hardwired PoE camera systems for homes and businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire. Every assessment and installation is carried out by our own team - we don't subcontract and we don't use sales reps.
Analogue-to-IP migration is one of the most common jobs we carry out. We have replaced systems originally installed by national alarm companies, local electricians, and DIY setups across Leicester, Oadby, Wigston, and surrounding villages. Our approach is straightforward: test what you have, reuse what works, and replace what doesn't.
If you want to understand whether your analogue system is worth upgrading before getting in touch, our complete CCTV upgrade overview covers the key signs and what has changed in the technology since your system was installed.
Areas we cover
We cover Leicester city and the surrounding areas including Oadby, Wigston, Braunstone, Glenfield, Groby, Hamilton, Thorpe Astley, Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, Market Harborough, Hinckley, Coalville, Loughborough, Melton Mowbray, and everywhere in between.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a DVR and an NVR?
- A DVR (digital video recorder) takes analogue video signals from cameras and converts them to digital for storage. An NVR (network video recorder) receives already-digital video from IP cameras over Ethernet. NVRs support higher resolutions, larger storage, smart detection, and remote access as standard. In an analogue-to-IP upgrade, the DVR is replaced with an NVR.
- Can I reuse my existing coaxial cables with IP cameras?
- Sometimes. Short, well-maintained coax runs can be repurposed using balun adapters. We test every coax run during the assessment. If the cable is degraded, kinked, or running longer than about 100 metres, new Cat5e is the better option. We will give you an honest answer either way.
- How much better is the image quality with IP cameras?
- Most analogue cameras produce 1-2MP footage. Modern IP cameras start at 4MP and go up to 8MP. That means you go from a blurry shape to footage where you can identify a face or read a number plate. Wide dynamic range and improved night vision are also standard on IP cameras.
- Will there be downtime during the switchover?
- We aim to keep downtime to a minimum. In most cases, we install the new IP system alongside the existing analogue system and switch over once everything is tested. For a typical three to four camera system, the full migration is completed in a single day.
- Do I need to upgrade my internet for IP CCTV?
- No. IP CCTV runs on its own local network - the cameras connect to the NVR via PoE Ethernet cable, not your broadband. You only need internet if you want remote viewing on your phone, and even then the bandwidth requirement is minimal. Your existing broadband is almost certainly sufficient.
- How long does an analogue-to-IP upgrade take?
- If existing cables are reusable, a typical three to four camera upgrade takes one day. If new cables need running, allow one to two days depending on the property and routing complexity. We confirm the timeline in your fixed-price proposal.