CCTV Buying Guide for London Properties

Resolution: How Much Do You Need?

For face identification — the primary purpose of CCTV in security investigations — cameras must achieve at least 40 pixels across the face width at the intended capture distance. In practical terms, 2MP (1080p) cameras are the minimum useful specification for most applications. 4MP and 8MP (4K) cameras provide significantly more detail and allow useful digital zoom on recorded footage. We recommend 4MP as the minimum for any new CCTV installation.

Night Vision and Low-Light Performance

Most London burglaries occur in low-light conditions — early mornings, evenings and overnight. All CCTV cameras include some form of night vision, but quality varies enormously. Infrared (IR) night vision provides black-and-white footage in complete darkness. Colour night vision cameras use larger sensors or white-light LEDs to provide colour footage in low light — valuable for identifying clothing colours. Full-colour night vision is increasingly the standard for perimeter cameras.

Storage: Local vs Cloud

Professional CCTV systems store footage locally on an NVR (Network Video Recorder) or DVR. This avoids monthly subscription fees and keeps your footage under your control. Local storage NVRs typically hold 7–30 days of continuous recording on modern hard drives. Cloud backup can supplement local storage for off-site redundancy but should not be the primary storage method.

How Many Cameras Do You Need?

For a typical London mid-terrace house, four cameras provide excellent coverage: front door and street view, rear garden (including any rear access gate), and side passage. For a larger property or one with a driveway, additional cameras may be warranted. Our engineers will map out the optimal camera positions during a free site survey.