Everyone wants a safe and secure home or business. CCTV cameras are often one of the most common solutions, known for being reliable and cost-effective, helping you keep eyes on your property at all times to later review footage.
However, it’s not just enough to have a security setup, but also where to place CCTV cameras that matters. Whether you’re going to attempt to install your cameras yourself or choosing the best places to have a professional put them up for you, this guide will help you learn:
- Why CCTV camera placement is important
- Internal versus external camera placement tips
- How far CCTV cameras can see
- How CCTV cameras are connected
Why Where to Place CCTV Cameras Matters
Even the best CCTV system can fail to protect your property if it’s not pointing in the right direction or can’t see key entry points clearly. Where to place CCTV cameras matters to help prevent blind spots, low-quality footage or to avoid completely missing incidents altogether.
CCTV is as much about prevention as it is detection. Well-placed cameras can deter intruders before they even attempt a break-in, with criminals tending to avoid properties with well-angled, hard-to-read cameras more than a property with improper-placed or no cameras at all.
Internal vs External CCTV Camera Placement
A common question we get from our Gold Coast clients is whether they should be investing in indoor or outdoor cameras, or even both. The answer is that it comes down to your property and specific security concerns, but covering your bases is never a bad idea.
Outdoor CCTV Placement
The main goal of outdoor CCTV cameras is to monitor vulnerable entry points and detect suspicious activity before someone can enter your home. It can also help capture someone’s identity if they do make an attempt to break in.
Key areas to consider include:
- Front door, which is the most common entry point for intruders (and couriers). A camera here can record everyone who approaches your home or business.
- Back door, often more secluded it’s also a favourite for burglars, so don’t overlook it.
- Driveways and garages, keeping an eye on vehicles, deliveries and any attempted tampering. Sometimes people can try to sneak in after you’ve driven away if your garage is still closed, so it can help you have an extra pair of eyes.
- Side gates and fences, ensuring if someone is sneaking around, you can know about it.
- Outdoor entertainment areas, which often include valuable items, like BBQs, outdoor furniture, even TVs, can attract opportunistic thieves.
Make sure your outdoor cameras are weatherproof, and are positioned high enough to avoid tampering.
Indoor CCTV Placement
Indoor cameras are ideal for monitoring activity inside your home or business, especially if you want to track movement while you’re away or to keep an eye on high-value areas.
Area to consider indoors include:
- Main living areas or entry hallways, giving you a good overview of who is entering or leaving your property.
- Near safes or valuables, giving you an extra layer of protection for jewellery, documents and other valuables.
- Home offices, which are becoming a bigger target with more people working from home and storing expensive work equipment.
- Children’s rooms or nurseries, helping you keep an eye on your children while you’re in another part of your home and during the night.
Remember to be mindful of privacy, especially in private rooms or areas where guests might feel uncomfortable.
How Far CCTV Cameras Can See
How far CCTV cameras can see depends on the specific camera and sometimes the environment. In general:
- Standard HD cameras with 720p or 1080p resolution can clearly see around 10 to 20 metres during the day
- Higher-end 4K cameras may capture fine detail up to 30+ metres away
- Infrared/night vision CCTV cameras can vary widely from 10 to 60+ metres, depending on the model and setting.
If you need long-distance monitoring, such as for over a driveway, a rural property or very long hallways or rooms, ask our electricians about specialised zoom lenses or the latest security camera technology.
What can impact CCTV visibility range?
Other than the camera lens and resolution of the cameras themselves, there are a number of things that can impact the visibility of your CCTV setup. Lighting conditions are a big one. Night vision capabilities and infrared (IR) range make a huge difference after dark, the time when the majority of break-ins happen. You also have to consider things like trees, including their movement in the wind, walls, or just the angle of the camera itself to ensure you have the most visibility.
How CCTV Cameras Are Connected
Modern CCTV systems offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to connecting your setup. Knowing this can help you determine which is the best for your home or business.
Wired CCTV Systems
Wired CCTV systems are connected via ethernet & data cables, typically to a central recording device, such as NVR’s (network video recorder) are now used for modern IP-camera setups, to allow you to review footage later. Some of the benefits of wired CCTV systems include:
- A more stable connection
- More reliable video quality
- No interference from WiFi signals
- Continuous recording
Keep in mind, wired systems do take longer to install and may need cabling run through walls, which is where a licensed electrician is needed.
Wireless CCTV Systems
Wireless systems connect over your home or business WiFi network. They’re typically easier to install than a wired system, but are better suited for rentals or temporary installs which aren’t recommended for businesses or large homes. A few things to know:
- You’ll need a strong WiFi signal near each camera
- Some wireless cameras also need power cables, unless they’re battery operated
- WiFi interference and network problems can affect your performance, meaning you lose signal if your WiFi goes out
Expert Electrical Tip:
“Wireless CCTV is great for temporary installs or low-risk areas, but for professional security, you’ll usually get far better uptime, image quality and peace of mind from a wired PoE network (or hybrid) system. Think of it like streaming your favourite show over a mobile hotspot versus a fibre connection—sometimes it works fine, but you’re always wondering if you’ll hit that dreaded buffering circle at the worst possible moment.”
– Paul Crapper, CFO of All Access Electrical
Hybrid CCTV Systems
Some CCTV setups will allow you to mix and match wired and wireless cameras, which can be ideal for larger properties where certain areas are harder to catch.
For the best results, work with a pro.
Having a CCTV system is important for your business, however knowing where to place CCTV cameras is only half the battle. The other half is ensuring you’ve done the installation correctly, running cables, securing mounts and fine-tuning the settings for the best image quality.
As experienced CCTV electricians on the Gold Coast, we know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to CCTV setups. We can help you plan, install and configure your CCTV cameras to ensure it fits your home or business, and helps give you peace of mind.
Simply give us a call or drop us an enquiry and we’ll be in touch.
