“How many cameras do I need?” sounds like the obvious first question when planning CCTV. In practice, it is usually the wrong first question. Start with what you need to see and what evidence would actually be useful if an incident occurred.
Define the purpose of each camera
An overview camera covering a warehouse is doing a different job from a camera intended to identify a face at an entrance or capture a vehicle at a gate. Camera position, lens, lighting and resolution should match the purpose.
Prioritise high-value locations
Common priorities include entrances and exits, reception areas, cash handling, loading zones, external doors, stock areas, yards and vehicle access points. Four carefully positioned cameras can be more useful than twelve cameras installed without a plan.
Night performance matters
A camera can look excellent during the day and become almost useless after dark. External lighting, infrared reflection, headlights and backlighting from doorways all affect usable footage.
Plan recording capacity
Decide how long you reasonably need to keep footage, then size storage for the number of cameras, recording resolution and recording mode. It is better to plan retention before buying the recorder than discover later that footage disappears too soon.
Make retrieval simple
A CCTV system is only helpful if staff know how to find and export an incident. The handover should include remote viewing where required and a practical demonstration of searching and saving footage.
Use an appropriately licensed installer
In Victoria, security equipment installation is a licensed private-security activity. CCTV/security camera systems fall within the definition of security equipment. Shortcut Computers carries out licensed CCTV and security camera installation and can provide evidence of current credentials on request.
How much does a CCTV installation cost?
Every CCTV installation is different. The number and type of cameras, cable runs, mounting heights, recording storage and remote viewing requirements all affect the work involved, so we quote each job individually after assessing the site.
A minimum site fee of $199 inc. GST applies for an on-site visit to evaluate the installation. If you go ahead with the project, the $199 is deducted from your final invoice.
If you are planning a new system, tell us what areas you need to cover. We can work backwards from the actual security requirement rather than selling a fixed camera bundle.
Related guides
- CCTV Installation Licensing in Victoria
- Retail Shop Technology Setup
- Business Premises Technology Audit
