Identify the camera type first
Analog coax, HD-over-coax, IP/Ethernet, and Wi-Fi cameras connect in different ways. The connector alone does not guarantee compatibility.
Legacy camera wiring guide · Updated 2026
How to Connect an ADT Security Camera to a DVR or TV Display
If you have an older ADT camera, a DVR, and a cable box near the same television, it is tempting to treat them as interchangeable video equipment. They are not. Security cameras need the right recorder, power supply, cabling, and input type; a Comcast or Xfinity cable box is usually only a TV-service receiver, not a security-camera recorder.
Use a security DVR or NVR
Traditional ADT-style wired cameras normally record to a CCTV DVR or network video recorder, then display on a TV or monitor through HDMI, VGA, or an app.
Do not expect the cable box to record it
A Comcast/Xfinity box is designed for cable TV service. It generally cannot accept, power, encode, or record a home security camera feed.
Keep power and low voltage safe
Use the correct camera power supply or PoE switch, avoid mixing low-voltage camera wiring with mains wiring, and call a technician if the cabling is unclear.
Archived page, refreshed: This legacy article URL came from a common home-security question: whether an ADT camera can be hooked through a DVR and Comcast cable box. The short answer is that cameras normally connect to a security DVR/NVR or monitor input — not through a cable-TV receiver — so this page has been refreshed with safer, clearer wiring guidance.
The usual answer: camera to DVR, DVR to TV
For most older ADT camera installations, the clean path is camera to compatible security DVR, then DVR to the television or monitor. Analog and HD-over-coax cameras usually run on coaxial cable plus a low-voltage power connection. IP cameras usually run through Ethernet to an NVR, PoE switch, router, or recorder. Once the recorder sees the camera, you view the recorder on a TV using HDMI or VGA, or remotely through the recorder app when supported.
Why the Comcast box is usually the wrong place to connect
A cable-TV receiver normally outputs video to the TV; it is not a general-purpose camera input or surveillance recorder. Even if a TV or older cable setup has coax ports, that does not mean it can decode a CCTV signal, supply camera power, store motion clips, or show multiple camera channels. Treat the cable box and the security recorder as separate devices, both feeding the TV through separate inputs.
Check whether the ADT camera is locked to ADT equipment
Some ADT-branded systems use standard cameras that can work with compatible DVRs or NVRs. Others are tied to an ADT panel, cloud account, proprietary bridge, or installer-managed configuration. Before buying a replacement recorder, write down the camera model, connector type, voltage, and whether it was part of a Pulse, Command, Control, or older analog CCTV setup. Compatibility matters more than the brand printed on the camera.
Analog, HD-over-coax, and IP camera differences
Older analog cameras may use BNC coax and a separate 12V DC power supply. Newer HD-over-coax cameras may look similar but require a recorder that supports the same format, such as TVI, CVI, AHD, or SDI. IP cameras use networking and may need PoE, a password reset, ONVIF support, or manufacturer software. Connecting the wrong camera type to the wrong recorder can produce no picture even when the cable physically fits.
How to view the camera on the same TV as your cable box
Use separate TV inputs. Connect the Comcast or Xfinity box to one HDMI input and the security DVR or NVR to another HDMI input. Then use the TV remote to switch between cable TV and camera viewing. If the TV has only one HDMI input, use an HDMI switch. This is much more reliable than trying to route the camera through the cable box.
When you want remote viewing
Remote viewing depends on the recorder or cloud service, not the cable box. A modern DVR or NVR may offer an app, but you still need secure account settings, firmware updates, strong passwords, and network configuration. Avoid exposing recorder ports directly to the internet unless the manufacturer specifically documents a secure method. If the old ADT camera cannot be supported safely, replacing it with a current camera system may be the better long-term choice.
When to call ADT or a low-voltage installer
Call for help if you do not know the camera voltage, cannot identify the recorder format, see damaged cable, need wires run through walls, or want to reuse equipment from a monitored ADT account. A technician can test the signal, confirm power requirements, label cables, and tell you whether the existing camera is worth keeping or should be replaced.
Before you connect anything
- Find the camera model number and connector type before buying adapters.
- Confirm whether the camera is analog, HD-over-coax, IP, PoE, or Wi-Fi.
- Use a compatible security DVR or NVR as the recorder.
- Connect the recorder to the TV through HDMI or VGA instead of routing through the cable box.
- Use the correct power supply, transformer, or PoE switch for the camera.
- Do not connect low-voltage camera wiring into unknown cable-TV, alarm, or mains-voltage wiring.
- Reset passwords and update firmware before enabling remote viewing.
- Call ADT or a low-voltage installer if the camera is proprietary or the wiring is unclear.
ADT camera and DVR connection FAQ
Can I plug an ADT camera into a Comcast or Xfinity cable box?
Usually no. A Comcast or Xfinity cable box is normally a TV-service receiver, not a security-camera input, power source, or recorder. Connect the camera to a compatible DVR, NVR, or ADT-supported system instead.
Can I watch my security DVR on the same TV as cable?
Yes. Connect the cable box to one TV input and the security DVR or NVR to another input, then switch inputs with the TV remote. Use an HDMI switch if the TV does not have enough ports.
Will any DVR work with an ADT camera?
No. The recorder must match the camera type and format. BNC analog, HD-over-coax, IP, PoE, and proprietary ADT cameras have different compatibility requirements.
Can I reuse old ADT cameras without ADT monitoring?
Sometimes, but it depends on the model and system generation. Standard analog or IP cameras may be reusable with the right recorder, while proprietary cameras may require ADT service, a supported bridge, or replacement.
Is it safe to splice camera wiring myself?
Only if you know the cable type, voltage, polarity, and local low-voltage rules. If you are unsure, use proper connectors or hire a qualified low-voltage installer.