A camera only helps if it sees what you need it to see. Where it is placed matters as much as the camera itself, so it is worth planning positions before anything is mounted.
Start by walking the property
Walk the outside of the property and note every way in. Mark the places where you would want to know who is there.
- The main gate and the front door
- The driveway and garage
- Side passages and the back garden
- Windows and doors that are out of sight of the street
Decide what each camera is for
Different places need different things from a camera.
- Identify: at doors and gates you want a clear view of a face.
- Observe: in a driveway you want to see what a person or vehicle is doing.
- Detect: in a large garden it is often enough to know that someone is there.
The same camera shows less detail the further away someone is, so cameras meant to identify people should be close to where they will pass.
Think about height, light and angle
- Mount cameras high enough to be out of easy reach, but not so high that you only see the tops of heads.
- Avoid pointing a camera straight at the sun or at a bright light, which can wash out the picture.
- Check the view at night, not just in daylight.
Respect privacy
Point cameras at your own property. Avoid recording neighbours' windows or shared areas, and follow any rules set by your building or community.
Plan the cabling and the recorder
Decide how each camera will be powered and connected, and where the recorder will sit. Somewhere cool, dry and out of sight is best.
The easiest way to get it right
A site survey lets someone look at the property with you and mark the positions before any work starts. Our site survey is free, and you receive a written plan and quote afterwards.