Changing Analog Camera Video Signals to CVBS

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Affected Roles: Administrator, Installer

Last Edit: July 29, 2024

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Analog Mode Compatibility

Digital Watchdog produces a variety of High Definition (HD) analog video camera models. The HD technology used allows for digital signal processing and transmitting video streams from HD cameras to compatible HD Digital Video Recorders (DVR) using HD-A, HD-TVI, or HD-CVI.

As a result, the HD analog cameras produce higher resolution quality in comparison to their 960H Analog predecessors and can communicate digital signals between the camera’s onboard user interface (UI) and a DVR, as long as the DVR is using the same video signal type.

This guide will explain how to change the video output signal of Digital Watchdog analog cameras to a CVBS (960H) signal, for compatibility with standard analog (960H) recording units.

**NOTE: Some Star-Light Plus™ analog cameras will not allow users to change the Analog Mode setting while using the provided Secondary Output (test) cable. In this event, the use of a compatible DVR or a handheld monitor that supports the camera resolution will be required for the user to be able to see and utilize the camera’s onboard UI.

**NOTE: If you are trying to lower the camera resolution from 5 MP to 2.1 MP, please use Changing Analog Cameras From 5 MP to 2.1 MP.

Supported/Affected Devices

Star-Light™ Series (2.1 MP)
Star-Light Plus™ Series (5 MP)
Star-Light Plus™ Series (8 MP)

Changing Video Signals

Required Materials

For this process you may need:

Physical access to the camera
A DVR or a handheld monitor that supports 5 MP (or higher resolution) cameras
A display monitor or an equivalent means of viewing the camera video

Star-Light™ (2.1 MP) Cameras

For this guide, we will be using the DWC-B6263WTIR (bullet) and DWC-V6263WTIR (vandal dome) as our sample models. The images and the menu layout depicted in this guide may vary from your camera model.

To change the Analog Mode of the 2.1 MP camera:

Open the camera.

For a bullet-style camera, open the camera by unscrewing and removing the front case cover from the camera.

For a vandal-dome-style camera, open the camera by removing the four cover screws with the provided wrench, then remove the dome cover from the camera.

Make sure that the camera is powered on.

Locate the OSD Joystick inside of the camera case.

To change the camera to CVBS, push and hold the joystick in the Up direction for 5 – 10 seconds. If the camera is presently connected to a DVR or to a handheld monitor, you may see camera video flicker as the camera changes to a different video signal.

**NOTE: Direction is relative to how you are holding the camera. For most models, the “Up” direction would be “toward the lens”. Check the labeling on the outside of the OSD joystick or in the User Manual to confirm.

The video output signal is now CVBS (960H analog). You may connect the camera to the receiver/DVR using the camera’s coax-out, BNC cable to confirm that the camera video displays successfully.

**NOTE: It is recommended that you do not have the Test Video Cable connected to the camera when monitoring video through the camera’s main coax-out, BNC cable. The camera will prioritize video output through the Test Video Cable if it is still connected.

Star-Light Plus (5 MP & 8 MP) Cameras

**NOTE: For this guide, we will be using the DWC-B6563WTIR (bullet) and DWC-V6563WTIR (vandal dome) as our sample models. Images and menu layout depicted in this guide may vary from your camera model.

To change the Analog Mode of a 5 MP or 8 MP camera:

Open the camera.

For a bullet-style camera, open the camera by unscrewing and removing the front case cover from the camera.

For a vandal-dome-style camera, open the camera by removing the four cover screws with the provided wrench, then remove the dome cover from the camera.

Connect the BNC cable of the camera to you’re a handheld display monitor or to a DVR that supports 5 MP resolution.

Make sure that the camera is powered on.

**NOTE: If you are using a DVR for camera display during this process, you will need a display monitor (VGA or HDMI) connected to the recording unit at this time.

Locate the OSD Joystick inside of the camera case.

Push the joystick inward, like a button, to prompt the camera’s on-screen-display (OSD).

Use the joystick to navigate to the Setup tab in the camera OSD menu.

Use the joystick to highlight “Output“, then push the joystick inward to select the Output menu.

Change the Analog Mode to CVBS (960H).

Make sure that the Frame Rate setting is set to the correct resolution for the DVR.

Set the “Confirm” option to “ON”, then push the joystick inward to confirm and apply the setting changes.

Using the joystick, select Return, then push the joystick inward to return to the previous menu.

Return to the camera OSD Main menu, then navigate to the Exit tab in the camera OSD menu.

Select Save & Exit, then push the joystick inward to apply the changes.

The video output signal will now be CVBS (960H analog). You may now connect the camera to a standard analog (960H) DVR for use.