HDcctv is a standard designed to facilitate the transport of high definition video over conventional coaxial cable. Built on the Serial Digital Interface (SDI) pioneered for broadcast television, it makes provision for cable lengths of up to 100m without requiring repeaters (future versions of the specification will increase the legal cable length to over 300m).
In 2009 the HDcctv Alliance was formed to promote the use of HDcctv and further the standardization activity. Addendums to the current standard make provision for bi-directional audio and pan, tilt, zoom control signals to be passed over the same coaxial cabling used to transport the high definition video signal.
HDcctv obviates the need to digitize and compress high definition video within an IP Camera in order to transport the feed over a computer network. Instead, the high definition feed is brought back over the existing coaxial cable to a DVR where it is digitized and compressed in a conventional manner. The result is a reduction in installation and system costs. HDcctv also provides an easy upgrade path for existing standard definition installations to be migrated to high definition video capability. HDcctv promises to bring the benefits currently claimed by megapixel IP cameras to the CCTV market, with the ease of use and low latency of conventional analog CCTV equipment.