Buying guide
How to Choose a CCTV Camera System for Your Home or Shop
Quick answer
Start from what you need to see, not from the camera. Count the entry points, the cash or stock area and any blind corners: that is your camera count. For most homes and shops, 2MP to 4MP cameras with night vision, a recorder with enough hard disk for 2 to 4 weeks, and a UPS for power cuts cover the basics. Phone viewing needs a compatible recorder and an internet connection.
How many cameras do you need?
Walk the property and list each place where you would want proof of what happened:
- Every entrance: main gate, shutter, back door, terrace door
- The cash counter or billing desk in a shop
- Stock rooms, godowns and parking
- Corridors or staircases that connect these
A small shop often needs 2 to 4 cameras. An independent house usually needs 4 to 6. Warehouses and apartments need a survey, because cable lengths and lighting change the plan.
2MP, 4MP or 5MP: how much resolution?
2MP (1080p) is enough to see what happened in a room or at a gate. Choose 4MP or 5MP where you need to read faces or number plates at a distance, such as a gate camera facing the road. Higher resolution needs more storage, so use it where it matters rather than everywhere.
Night vision: infrared or colour?
Standard cameras switch to black-and-white infrared at night. That works in total darkness. Colour night-vision cameras use a small white light or very sensitive sensors to show colour at night, which helps identify clothes and vehicles, but the light can attract attention. Many sites use a mix: infrared inside, colour at the gate.
DVR or NVR?
A DVR records HD analog cameras connected by coaxial cable. It is usually the lower-cost choice and is easy to repair. An NVR records IP cameras over network cable, often powered through the same cable (PoE). IP systems give sharper images and more features and are easier to expand. Read our HD vs IP camera comparison for details.
How much recording storage do you need?
Storage depends on resolution, compression (H.265 uses less space than H.264), the number of cameras and whether you record all the time or only on motion. As a rough guide, one 2MP camera recording all day with H.265 uses around 10 to 20 GB per day. Four such cameras on a 1 TB drive keep roughly two weeks. If you want a month of footage, plan a larger drive or motion recording. We work out the exact figure for the models in your quote.
Viewing on your phone
Most current recorders support a mobile app. You need a stable internet connection at the site (broadband or a SIM router). We install the app, add your recorder and show you how to play back footage.
Do not skip these
- UPS or power backup so recording continues during power cuts
- Proper cable routing in conduit, away from mains wiring
- Weatherproof outdoor cameras and junction boxes
- Recorder in a locked, ventilated place so it cannot be taken away
Common questions
How many CCTV cameras does a small shop need?
Usually 2 to 4: one on the entrance, one on the billing counter and one or two covering the stock area. The layout decides the final number.
Is 2MP enough for CCTV?
For general recording inside a home or shop, yes. Use 4MP or 5MP at gates or where you need to read faces or number plates from further away.
How many days does CCTV recording last?
It depends on the hard disk size, the number of cameras, resolution and recording mode. Four 2MP cameras on a 1 TB drive with H.265 keep about two weeks of continuous recording.