Introduction to the HIGHWIRE Powerstar Quad (VHW-HWPS-C4)
Veracity HIGHWIRE Powerstar Quad (VHW-HWPS-C4)is a purpose-built Ethernet-over-coax adapter designed to bring Ethernet and PoE+ power to IP cameras while re-using existing coaxial cable plant. Installed at the camera end, this compact unit integrates an unmanaged 4-port 10/100 RJ45 switch with IEEE 802.3af/at (PoE+) support, delivering up to 25 W per port. The adapter accepts PoE over coax from a HIGHWIRE Powerstar Base unit or can be supplied locally via a 57 V DC input when a higher PoE budget is needed. Visual SafeView LEDs provide instant confirmation of coax link, coax power and PoE budget status, simplifying installation and troubleshooting.
Key features at a glance
- Re-uses RG59, RG6 or RG11 coax to deliver 100Base-TX Ethernet plus PoE to up to four devices.
- Integrated unmanaged 4× 10/100 RJ45 switch with PoE+ (802.3af/at); auto-MDI/X for easy connectivity.
- Dual power options: receive PoE over coax or use local 57 V DC input for increased power budgets (up to 25 W per port).
- Long reach: up to 300 m on RG59, 350 m on RG6, and 500 m on RG11 (100Base-TX).
- SafeView LEDs for quick confirmation of link, coax power and remaining PoE budget.
Detailed specifications and benefits
The VHW-HWPS-C4 is engineered to address a common challenge in camera upgrades: how to deliver both data and power to IP cameras without undertaking expensive re-cabling. Below are the product specifications organized by functional area, followed by the practical benefits those specs provide.
- Power input:PoE over coax or 57 V DC (detachable screw terminal).
- Power consumption:3 W – 8 W (device overhead depending on PoE load).
- PoE standards:IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at (PoE+).
- PoE output:Total system power between 10 W and 78 W depending on source/configuration; up to 25 W per port.
Benefit: The combination of PoE-over-coax reception plus an optional local 57 V DC input gives installers flexibility. If the coax-fed PoE budget is limited, a local supply can boost the total available power so that higher-draw devices (PTZ cameras, heaters, IR arrays) can be supported reliably.
- Connector:BNC 75 Ω.
- Cable type:75 Ω coax (RG59, RG6, RG11).
- Range:Up to 300 m (RG59), 350 m (RG6), 500 m (RG11) at 100Base-TX.
- Bandwidth:200 Mbps total (up + down).
Benefit: Long reach over common coax types means that many legacy camera runs, which could be tens or hundreds of metres, are usable without trenching or fibre upgrades. The specified bandwidth comfortably supports multiple 10/100 camera streams per port when paired with appropriate camera encoders and NVRs.
- Ethernet:4 × RJ45, unmanaged 10/100 switch; auto-MDI/X; full duplex support.
- Indicators:LEDs for RJ45 link/activity, PoE status, coax link/power and SafeView power budget steps (5 W increments).
- Physical / Environmental:132 mm (L inc. BNC) × 75 mm (W) × 22 mm (H); ≈179 g (183 g with brackets); operating −10 °C to 50 °C; 85% non-condensing humidity.
- Compliance:CE, FCC, RoHS declared.
Benefit: Simple plug-and-play operation with clear LED feedback reduces commissioning time. The small form factor and wall-mount brackets make the unit unobtrusive when installed at camera locations.
Use cases and scenarios where the HIGHWIRE Powerstar Quad excels
The VHW-HWPS-C4 is tailored for retrofit and upgrade projects where existing coaxial cable runs can be re-purposed for modern IP camera systems. Typical scenarios include:
- Camera system upgrades:Replace analogue cameras with IP cameras without re-cabling—ideal for retail, schools, offices and multi-tenant buildings.
- Multi-camera poles or housings:Power and network up to four cameras from a single coax run to a pole-top mount or enclosure.
- Perimeter and parking installations:Long reach capabilities on RG11 or RG6 let you place cameras far from the head-end without fibre or repeaters.
- Temporary or phased deployments:Use existing coax temporarily while planning longer-term upgrades; reduce upfront cabling costs.
- Cost-sensitive retrofits:For sites where running new Ethernet conduit is disruptive or expensive (heritage buildings, stadiums), re-using coax saves time and money.
In practice, contractors and in-house security teams find the Powerstar Quad handy when each camera location requires independent PoE and network ports but the site only has a single coax run per camera position.
Comparisons with similar products and alternative approaches
When evaluating the HIGHWIRE Powerstar Quad, consider it against three common alternatives: full re-cabling to Ethernet, single-port PoE-over-coax adapters, and fibre with media converters.
- Re-cabling to Ethernet:Running Cat5e/Cat6 provides native Ethernet and PoE with simpler topology, but it is costly and disruptive for large retrofit sites. The Powerstar Quad avoids this by re-using coax and providing four Ethernet ports at the camera end.
- Single-port PoE-over-coax adapters:These are lightweight and inexpensive for a single camera, but when multiple cameras are required at one location, a 4-port adapter like the Powerstar Quad reduces hardware count, saves space, and simplifies power management.
- Fibre + media converters:Fibre supports longer distances and higher bandwidth, but requires fibre termination skills and can be more expensive for small installations. PoE delivery over coax with the Powerstar solution gives a practical middle ground: extended range and PoE+ without fibre infrastructure.
Overall, the VHW-HWPS-C4 is best when existing coax is in good condition, multiple devices are required at a single endpoint, and the installer wants PoE+ support without re-cabling or deploying fibre.
Customer feedback and typical reviews
While specific customer quotes are not provided here, installers and customers who choose PoE-over-coax solutions commonly report the following positive outcomes:
- Faster deployment and lower labour costs compared with running new Ethernet cabling across multi-building or hard-to-access sites.
- Reliable power delivery for cameras with medium power demands (dome cameras with heaters or IR), especially when the local 57 V DC input is used to increase the PoE budget.
- Clear LED indicators that simplify commissioning and make it easy to confirm whether coax link and PoE budgets are healthy without additional tools.
- Good fit for phased upgrades—customers can convert some camera positions to IP now and transition the rest later.
Common constructive feedback from the field tends to focus on planning: verifying the condition and type of existing coax, confirming required per-camera power draw, and ensuring proper grounding and lightning protection for outdoor runs. These are standard best practices for any PoE deployment.
Conclusion: Why the HIGHWIRE Powerstar Quad is a strong choice
The Veracity HIGHWIRE Powerstar Quad (VHW-HWPS-C4) is a pragmatic, cost-effective solution for delivering Ethernet and PoE+ to multiple IP cameras over legacy coax infrastructure. Its combination of four integrated RJ45 PoE+ ports, long coax reach, optional local 57 V DC power input, and straightforward LED diagnostics make it especially well-suited to retrofit projects and multi-camera endpoints.
For system designers and installers, the primary benefits are time and cost savings—no trenching or conduit required to replace coax runs—plus the flexibility to supply higher power where needed. The unit’s compliance with IEEE PoE standards and safety approvals (CE, FCC, RoHS) supports use across a wide range of commercial and institutional sites.
At a suggested price of approximately $409 (trade and regional pricing may vary), the HIGHWIRE Powerstar Quad offers an attractive return on investment where avoiding re-cabling is a priority. For best results, verify cable condition and camera power requirements during site surveys, and follow local electrical regulations when installing. For many retrofit scenarios, this adapter turns otherwise obsolete coax into a useful, modern network and power distribution medium—making it a compelling choice for installers and integrators.
