CCTV & Surveillance
IP Camera vs Analog (Turbo HD) CCTV: Which Should You Buy in Kenya?
IP vs analog (Turbo HD/HDCVI) CCTV compared for Kenyan homes and businesses: cost, coax vs Cat6 and PoE, resolution, NVR vs DVR and upgrading old coax systems.
By Giga Team Solutions · · 8 min read
Ask for a CCTV quote in Kenya and you will be offered one of two kinds of system: analogue HD cameras with a DVR (Hikvision calls its version Turbo HD, Dahua calls its version HDCVI), or IP cameras with an NVR. Both record usable footage today. The real differences are in cabling, how far each can grow, the features you get, and whether you already have cable on the walls. This guide sets out those differences so you can decide what fits your home or business.
The short comparison
| Analogue HD (Turbo HD / HDCVI) | IP cameras | |
|---|---|---|
| Recorder | DVR (often a hybrid that also takes a few IP cameras) | NVR |
| Cable to each camera | Coax (RG59) plus a power pair, or UTP with video baluns | Cat6 network cable |
| Power to cameras | Central 12V supply; power over coax on some models | PoE from the NVR or a PoE switch, on the same cable |
| Cable distance | Often longer than 100 m on good coax; check the camera spec | 100 m per Ethernet run, longer via switches or fibre |
| Resolution | Commonly 2MP to 5MP; some models go higher | 2MP to 8MP and beyond |
| Smart features and audio | Available on some models, more limited | Wider choice: line crossing, human/vehicle detection, built-in microphones (model dependent) |
| Setup | Plug-and-play, little network knowledge needed | IP addressing, bandwidth and network security to plan |
| Best fit | Small homes, tight budgets, existing coax | New builds, businesses, larger or growing sites |
Resolution and features
Analogue HD has closed much of the gap: 2MP and 5MP analogue cameras give clear footage for most homes and small shops. IP still leads on choice at higher resolutions, on smart detection that runs inside the camera, and on audio. Each IP camera is also a device on your network, which brings flexibility (it can be recorded by more than one system, or reached across a site over fibre) and responsibility (passwords, firmware and network design).
Higher resolution means bigger recordings, whichever technology you pick. Use our CCTV hard disk calculator to check how many days of footage a given disk will hold.
Cost
Analogue cameras and DVRs generally cost less per channel than IP cameras and NVRs, and an IP system may also need a PoE switch if the NVR has no PoE ports. For reference, typical market ranges seen in 2026 are KSh 30,000–50,000 for a 4-camera kit, KSh 55,000–90,000 for an 8-camera kit, and KSh 4,000–7,000 for a 2MP bullet camera. These are market figures, not our prices, and they are not split by technology.
Installation often costs as much as the equipment. Typical market ranges are around KSh 2,000–4,000 of labour per camera point and KSh 80–150 per metre of cabling, whichever technology you choose. Because labour and cable runs dominate on bigger sites, the price gap between analogue and IP narrows as the system grows. Our CCTV camera prices guide and CCTV installation cost guide go into more detail.
Cabling: coax versus Cat6 and PoE
Analogue HD usually runs on coax with a power pair alongside it (often sold as a combined cable). Video goes to the DVR and power comes from a central supply box. The connectors are BNC, and outdoor joints corrode if they are not sealed. Analogue HD can also run over UTP cable using small adaptors called baluns.
IP cameras use one Cat6 cable per camera for both data and power. With Power over Ethernet (PoE), the NVR or a PoE switch powers the camera down the same cable, so there are no separate adaptors at camera positions. The standard PoE limit (802.3af) is 15.4W per port at the switch, which covers most fixed cameras; PTZ cameras may need 802.3at (PoE+). The total PoE budget of the switch must cover every camera connected to it. Ethernet runs are limited to 100 metres, so distant cameras need a switch part way or a fibre link.
For cable, a box of Hikvision Cat6 cable (KSh 12,500) is a common choice, and our Cat6 cable price guide compares brands. For switches, the D-Link DGS-1100-08P 8-port Gigabit PoE smart switch (KSh 14,000) suits small systems and the 24-port D-Link PoE switch (KSh 35,000) suits larger ones. Our PoE switch guide explains how to size the PoE budget.
NVR, DVR and hybrid recorders
A DVR takes analogue cameras on BNC inputs. Many current DVRs are hybrids that also accept a few IP cameras; check the channel spec before relying on it. An NVR records IP cameras only. NVRs with built-in PoE ports keep small systems tidy: our 16-channel Hikvision NVR, DS-7616NI-Q2/16P (KSh 26,000) has 16 PoE ports, shown by the /16P in the model number.
We do not currently list a DVR in the online shop. If you need one for an analogue system, ask us and we will tell you what we can supply.
Upgrading an existing coax system
Many Kenyan homes and offices still have coax from older, low-resolution systems. You have three main options:
- Stay analogue, upgrade the ends. If the coax is in good condition, replace the old cameras and recorder with analogue HD equipment and keep the cable. This is usually the cheapest upgrade. Old joints and water-damaged sections should be tested and redone.
- Mix. Keep coax for existing points and run Cat6 to new points, feeding a hybrid DVR or a separate NVR.
- Move fully to IP. Re-cable with Cat6. Where pulling new cable is impractical, Ethernet-over-coax adaptors can reuse existing coax, at extra cost per point.
Check compatibility before mixing brands. Many DVRs detect several analogue HD formats automatically, but not all do.
Which makes sense for homes and businesses
- Small home, 2 to 4 cameras, tight budget or coax already in place: analogue HD is a sensible, simple choice.
- House under construction: run Cat6 in conduit now, even if you start with analogue cameras over baluns. The same cable can carry IP cameras later.
- Shops, offices, warehouses and estates: IP is usually the better long-term choice. It scales through switches, supports smarter detection, and shares the building's network cabling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect an IP camera to a DVR?
Only if the DVR is a hybrid model with IP channels. A standard analogue-only DVR cannot record IP cameras, so check the recorder's specification first.
Can I reuse my old coax cable with HD cameras?
Often yes, if the cable and joints are in good condition. Test each run, and replace sections with corroded connectors or water damage.
Do IP cameras need internet to work?
No. They record to the NVR over your local network. Internet is only needed if you want to view the cameras remotely on your phone.
How far can a PoE camera be from the switch?
Up to 100 metres of Cat6 per run. Beyond that you need a switch part way along, a PoE extender, or a fibre link.
If you want help choosing between the two for your site, get in touch or WhatsApp +254 718 811 661. Our shop is at White Angle House, Rm 62, Kenneth Matiba Rd, Nairobi CBD (Mon–Sat, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM), and delivery is a flat KSh 300 anywhere in Kenya, with cash on delivery.
