Altronix EBRIDGE400PCRMB 4-Output IP over Coax PoE+ Pass-Through Board
Overview
The Altronix EBRIDGE400PCRMB is a 4-output IP-over-coax receiver board that lets integrators migrate analog coax infrastructure to IP cameras without pulling new cable. It passes both Ethernet data and PoE+ power over existing coaxial runs — meaning a site with hundreds of feet of installed RG59 or RG6 doesn't require a full recable just to support a modern IP camera deployment. If your customer has a legacy analog system and wants to move to IP without the disruption and cost of new cable pulls, the EBRIDGE400PCRMB is the unit that makes that possible at four camera positions simultaneously.
Altronix has built a long track record in the commercial security power and transmission space. Browse the full Altronix product catalog for compatible transmission and power distribution solutions that pair with this board.
Key Features
- 4 Independent IP/Coax Outputs: Each of the four ports operates independently over its own coax segment, so a fault or distance issue on one run doesn't affect the other three. This matters in multi-camera retrofits where runs vary widely in length and condition.
- PoE and PoE+ Input Power: The board accepts PoE (802.3af, up to ~15.4W) or PoE+ (802.3at, up to ~30W) from your upstream PoE network switch, then re-delivers that power over coax to the connected cameras. You're not adding a separate power supply at each camera location — the switch budget feeds everything through the board.
- IP and Power Pass-Through over Coax: Both data and power ride the same coax conductor to the camera, which is the core value here. You run one coax to each camera position instead of running new Cat5e/Cat6 — labor savings on a 16- or 32-camera retrofit can be substantial.
- Receiver Board Form Factor: The EBRIDGE400PCRMB ships as a board unit, designed to integrate into an enclosure or panel rather than stand alone. This suits rack-based or backbox installations where space is managed centrally — common in head-end equipment rooms on commercial and industrial sites.
- Coax Infrastructure Reuse: Existing RG59/RG6 runs that previously carried analog composite video now carry full IP traffic and power, extending the useful life of an installed cabling plant. For facilities managers, this avoids the access disruption of running new cable through finished ceilings, conduit, or plenum spaces.
- Centralized PoE Sourcing: Because power originates at the head end from a standard PoE/PoE+ switch port, you retain centralized UPS backup for camera power — a single UPS at the rack keeps all cameras online during a power event rather than relying on distributed local power supplies at each camera.
Integration and Compatibility
The EBRIDGE400PCRMB functions as the receiver side of an Altronix EBridge transmission system. On the camera end, a compatible EBridge transmitter unit connects to the coax run and to the IP camera, converting the coax signal back to standard Ethernet at the camera head. The board-level format of the EBRIDGE400PCRMB requires an appropriate enclosure — check Altronix's enclosure lineup for compatible housings if you're building a standalone installation. On the network side, any 802.3af/at-capable PoE switch feeds the board's uplink; no proprietary switching hardware is required. This makes it straightforward to integrate into an existing Cisco, Netgear, or Ubiquiti PoE infrastructure. For camera compatibility, any standard IP camera powered by PoE or PoE+ that operates over Ethernet is a candidate — the coax link is transparent to the camera and to the NVR or VMS receiving its stream. Consult Altronix's compatibility documentation to confirm transmitter pairing and maximum supported coax run lengths for your specific cable type before committing to a design. For guidance on building out the network layer of a coax-retrofit project, the networking category covers PoE switches and related infrastructure components.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of coax cable is compatible with the EBRIDGE400PCRMB?
A: The EBRIDGE400PCRMB is designed to work over existing RG59 and RG6 coaxial cable — the same types commonly installed in legacy analog camera systems. Maximum supported run length depends on cable quality and gauge; consult Altronix's published specifications for the EBridge product family to confirm distance limits for your specific installation.
Q: Does the EBRIDGE400PCRMB require a separate power supply, or does it run entirely on PoE?
A: The board accepts PoE or PoE+ from an upstream switch port as its power input. It does not require a separate local power supply — power sourced from the switch is conditioned and re-delivered over coax to connected cameras.
Q: Is the EBRIDGE400PCRMB a standalone enclosure or a board that requires a separate housing?
A: The EBRIDGE400PCRMB is a receiver board, not a self-contained enclosure unit. It is designed to be integrated into a compatible Altronix enclosure or an appropriate panel housing. Factor enclosure selection into your bill of materials for any installation.
Q: Can the EBRIDGE400PCRMB support cameras that require PoE+ (802.3at) rather than standard PoE?
A: Yes. The board accepts both PoE (802.3af) and PoE+ (802.3at) input, so PoE+-hungry cameras — such as PTZ units or cameras with built-in heaters — can be supported provided the upstream switch port delivers 802.3at and the power budget is sized accordingly.
Q: Does the EBRIDGE400PCRMB work with any IP camera brand, or is it limited to specific manufacturers?
A: Because the EBridge system presents a standard Ethernet interface to the camera, it is not brand-locked. Any IP camera that operates over PoE/PoE+ Ethernet — regardless of manufacturer — is a candidate. Verify transmitter pairing compatibility with Altronix's published EBridge documentation for your specific camera model.
Q: How many cameras does the EBRIDGE400PCRMB support?
A: The EBRIDGE400PCRMB supports four camera positions via its 4 independent IP/coax outputs, each served by a dedicated coax run with its own transmitter at the camera end.
The EBRIDGE400PCRMB is one of those products that answers a very specific integration problem cleanly: you have a customer with a fully cabled analog site — RG59 everywhere, clean runs, good connectors — and they want to move to IP cameras without paying for a full recable. Four outputs, PoE+ input, board-mount format. That's the pitch, and it delivers on it.
Technical Highlights:
- 4-Output Architecture: Each port is independent, which means you're not sharing bandwidth or power budget across a single conversion block. A problem on one coax run is isolated — the other three cameras keep transmitting.
- PoE/PoE+ Dual-Mode Input: Accepting both 802.3af and 802.3at means you're not locked to a specific switch tier. Standard af ports work for most IP cameras; if you're dropping in a PTZ or a camera with an integral heater that needs at, the board handles that too without a separate injector.
- Board-Level Form Factor: This is a panel-integration component, not a plug-and-play box. That's actually the right call for a 4-port head-end device — it lands in an Altronix enclosure alongside your power distribution, keeps the equipment room clean, and lets you UPS the whole stack in one place.
Deployment Considerations:
- The EBRIDGE400PCRMB is the receiver board only — you need an Altronix EBridge transmitter at each camera end. Budget for four transmitters and verify coax run length against Altronix's published distance specs before the project goes to contract.
- The board form factor requires a compatible enclosure. Don't let this become a last-minute line item; specify the housing in the original BOM or you'll be sourcing it on-site.
This board is the right call for commercial retrofit projects — schools, warehouses, or multi-tenant facilities where existing coax infrastructure is in good condition and the economics of reusing it clearly beat a full Cat6 pull. It won't make sense for new construction where Cat6 is already in the plan.
