CCTV quotes are full of abbreviations. These are the decisions that matter, in plain language.
Start with the purpose
Decide what each camera is for. Overview cameras show what happened across a wide area. Identification cameras are placed at gates and doors to capture a face or number plate. Mixing the two up is the most common reason footage disappoints.
Resolution
Higher resolution means more detail, but only if the lens and position are right. A well-placed 4 megapixel camera will beat a poorly placed 8 megapixel one.
Night performance
Ask to see sample night footage. Look for cameras with good low-light sensors or built-in lighting suited to the distance you need to cover.
Camera types
- Fixed cameras watch one view all the time and form the backbone of most systems.
- PTZ cameras pan, tilt and zoom, and suit large sites with someone actively monitoring.
- Thermal cameras detect heat and work in total darkness, dust and fog along long perimeters.
Recording and storage
The recorder, often called an NVR, stores footage. Decide how many days you need to keep and size the storage to match. Consider an off-site or cloud backup so footage survives if the recorder is stolen.
Smart detection
Analytics that recognise people and vehicles cut false alerts dramatically. For most buyers this is the feature that makes the system useful day to day.
Power and installation
Plan for backup power, weatherproof cabling and tidy, protected installation. A good system is only as reliable as the way it is fitted.
