CCTV Camera Installation Guide for Home and Shop
A good CCTV system needs the right cameras, a recorder, a hard disk, cables and careful placement. This guide covers each step for homes, shops and offices.
Updated 10 November 2026
How many cameras do you need?
- Small house: 2–4 cameras (gate, main door, car porch, back).
- Big house or shop: 4–8 cameras.
- Office, warehouse or factory: 8–32 cameras with a professional recorder.
DVR or NVR?
A DVR records analog / HD-TVI / HDCVI cameras over coaxial cable. An NVR records IP cameras over network (PoE) cable. New systems are usually IP with an NVR. See IP camera prices and IP vs analog.
4 channel and 8 channel recorders
The number of channels is how many cameras the recorder can take. Buy one size bigger than you need now so you can add cameras later.
Hard disk size
A 1 TB surveillance hard disk stores roughly one to two weeks of 4 cameras at 2–4 MP with H.265 compression; more cameras or 4K need 2–4 TB or more.
Cables and power
IP cameras use Cat6 cable with PoE (one cable for power and data). Analog cameras use coaxial cable plus a power supply. Use outdoor-rated cable and proper junction boxes against rain.
Placement tips
Mount cameras 8–10 feet high, cover entrances first, avoid pointing straight at the sun or street lights, and use colour night vision cameras where faces matter at night.
Managing the DVR / NVR
Format the hard disk from the recorder menu before first use, set recording to continuous or motion, keep the firmware updated, and change the default password. To view on your phone, follow the mobile setup guide.
