Choosing CCTV for your business: the complete guide

First, the honest truth

There are hundreds of camera systems on the market. Online you'll find endless lists of "the best cameras of 2026", written by people who have never mounted a camera in their lives. We install several every week, so we'll take a different approach: practical advice drawn from day-to-day experience.

Resolution: more isn't always better

Most customers ask for 4K straight away. That's understandable, because it sounds good. But 4K isn't always necessary, and it takes up more storage.

Full HD (1080p) is fine for a general overview. You can recognise a face at up to around 10 metres. That's more than enough for a reception area or corridor. 2K (1440p) offers the best balance for most situations. There's enough detail to identify people, and file sizes remain manageable. 4K (2160p) is useful if you want to read number plates or recognise faces at a greater distance. Think of a car park or a large outdoor site.

Our advice: don't automatically choose 4K for every camera position. Use 4K where it counts (outdoor areas, entrances) and 2K everywhere else. That saves on both storage and cost.

IP cameras: the standard

We hardly ever install analogue cameras any more. IP cameras (network cameras) are better in every respect. The image quality is higher, you need just one cable for both power and video thanks to PoE (Power over Ethernet), and expanding the system is simple: just run an extra cable to the switch. You can also view the cameras remotely via an app, and they work with smart analytics.

If you still have an old analogue system, it's time for an upgrade. The existing cabling can sometimes be reused, which saves on installation.

Smart features: what really works?

When it comes to CCTV, smart features are genuinely useful. These are the features we see working in practice every day.

Person detection means the camera can tell the difference between a person and an animal. That cuts down false alerts enormously. No more alarms at 3 a.m. because a cat walked through the frame.

Number plate recognition (ANPR) is handy for businesses with an enclosed site. The barrier opens automatically for known registration numbers. Logistics companies and car dealerships in particular get a lot out of this.

Line crossing works like this: you draw a virtual line on the image. If someone crosses it outside working hours, you get an alert. Simple and effective.

Loitering detection notices when someone has been standing at your back door for several minutes. The camera picks it up and sends an alert. Ideal for shops and business parks.

Storage: local, cloud or both?

This is a question we discuss on every project. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages.

With a local NVR (a network video recorder on site) you pay once and have no monthly costs. You have full control over the footage. The downside is that if someone steals the NVR or the building burns down, you lose the footage.

Cloud storage means the footage is stored securely off site and can be accessed from anywhere. On the other hand, there are monthly costs and you depend on a stable internet connection.

What we usually recommend is a hybrid solution: local storage for day-to-day use, with a cloud backup for the most important cameras. That way you get the best of both.

Night vision and outdoor cameras

Outdoor cameras are exposed to the weather, wind and darkness. Make sure you have IR night vision with a range of at least 30 metres for outdoor use. IP67 waterproofing is the standard for outdoor cameras. WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) is important at entrances; otherwise you'll only see a silhouette against bright backlight. And if the camera is within reach, IK10 vandal resistance is recommended.

Which brands?

We work with three brands. Dahua is the one we install most often for SMEs, thanks to its good value for money and strong smart features. AXIS is the premium brand and the market leader. Extremely reliable, but also more expensive. For businesses where failure really isn't an option. Hikvision has a broad range and is reliable. A good choice for larger installations.

We don't have an exclusive contract with any one brand. We recommend whatever suits your situation best. It's as simple as that.

Remote viewing

Every system we install can be viewed via an app. Live viewing, playback, receiving alerts: it all works on your phone. Whether you're in the office or on holiday.

What does it cost?

That depends on so many factors (the number of cameras, type, cabling, location) that a price list on a website isn't much use. What we can say is that we work with transparent quotes. You'll know exactly what it will cost in advance, with no surprises afterwards.

Would you like to know what a camera system would cost for your business? Get in touch and we'll come round free of charge to assess your situation.