How to choose security cameras for a home or business
Choose cameras around the scene, light, viewing task and installation. Compare real models before committing to a generic kit.
Read guide →Better decisions.
Start with a clearer view.
Free tools to understand your project before requesting a quote. No camera expertise needed.
Camera planner
Set your room dimensions, place cameras and explore viewing areas.
Open tool ↗02 / TB + MbpsRecording calculator
Estimate recording storage based on cameras, days and bitrate.
Open tool ↗03 / QUICK SELECTION
Your first kit, simply.
Tell us how many areas you want to view. Get an equipment starting point for your installation.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Before choosing cameras.
IP or analog: where to start?
Both can work. For new systems we assess IP and PoE; existing coaxial cabling is checked before proposing a change. The site assessment guides the choice.
Do more megapixels mean better images?
Resolution is only one factor. Lens, light, distance, compression and position also matter. Seeing an area does not mean identifying a face.
How long should I keep recordings?
Consider when you would review an event. The calculator shows how days and bitrate affect storage. Actual duration varies with recording mode and settings.
Surveillance planning tools and guides
Camera planner, recording calculator, catalogue and guides to prepare your installation before choosing a kit.
These tools help explain your priorities. A site assessment checks lighting, real cable routes, obstacles and existing equipment.
Surveillance guides →IP or analog cameras: choosing an installation
Compare a new IP installation with reusing an analog system. Check cabling, recorder, power and functionality before replacing equipment.
Read guide →How long to keep recordings and how to size storage
Estimate camera storage from bitrate, camera count and retention days. Understand why an estimate can differ from the final recording duration.
Read guide →Where to place cameras and how to choose the viewing angle
Plan camera positions and lenses around entrances, routes and required detail. Understand coverage diagrams and the checks needed on site.
Read guide →What a camera installation quote should include
Compare equipment, materials, mounting and setup on equivalent terms. Prepare the information needed for an installation proposal.
Read guide →Camera maintenance: checks beyond the live picture
Check recording, time, nighttime images and remote access. Prepare a useful support enquiry when your surveillance system stops meeting expectations.
Read guide →