In short: HDCVI (High Definition Composite Video Interface) is Dahua's technology for sending HD and 4K video over standard coaxial cable. It is the natural choice when a site already has coax CCTV wiring in place — you upgrade the cameras and recorder without re-running cable. We stock Dahua HDCVI cameras across 2MP–8MP, including several with Dahua's Starlight low-light sensor.
HDCVI stands for High Definition Composite Video Interface. It is Dahua's own coaxial-cable video transmission standard, competing with HD-TVI and AHD from other manufacturers. All three send high-resolution video, and often audio and PTZ control, down a single length of coax — the same cable type used by older analogue CCTV — rather than requiring the network (Cat5e/Cat6) cabling an IP camera needs.
Who HDCVI is for
HDCVI suits two situations: upgrading an existing analogue coax CCTV system camera-by-camera without re-cabling, and new coax installs where the simplicity of point-to-point coax (no network switches, no IP addressing) is preferred over an IP system. Dahua's Penta-brid recorders (see below) mean an HDCVI camera can be added to a system that already has older analogue cameras on it, or IP cameras on other channels.
HDCVI cameras record to a Dahua XVR or HCVR recorder. Most Dahua recorders in our range are Penta-brid, meaning the same recorder also accepts HD-TVI, AHD, analogue and IP cameras — useful if the site has a mix of camera ages and types.
Frequently asked questions
What does HDCVI stand for?
High Definition Composite Video Interface — HD/4K video, audio and PTZ control over one coaxial cable.
Can I mix HDCVI and IP cameras on one recorder?
Yes, on a Dahua Penta-brid recorder, which accepts HDCVI, HD-TVI, AHD, analogue and IP on different channels.
Is HDCVI the same as HD-TVI or AHD?
No — three separate, competing coax standards. A Penta-brid recorder auto-detects and accepts any of them, but check the camera and recorder against the same spec sheet before buying.
Do HDCVI cameras need a network connection?
No — only the recorder needs a network connection, for remote viewing and the app.
