Camera boxes compete on megapixels, but the footage that identifies a face at 2 AM depends on four far less glamorous things. Here is what our installers check on every system we recommend.
1. Resolution that survives a zoom — 4K at the entries
From 4K resolution down, detail is what turns "a person" into "a recognizable person." We specify 4K on door and driveway cameras where identification happens, and 2K elsewhere to keep storage sane. Anything below 2MP in 2026 is a doorbell toy, not security.
2. Real night vision, measured in distance
To night vision and cloud storage, explore the spec that matters: infrared range in feet, not the word "night." A camera rated to 100 ft of IR will read a plate at the curb; a 30-ft one will show you a glowing ghost. Ask for the number, and test it after dark before sign-off.
3. Storage you own — local first, cloud optional
Footage should live on a recorder in your home, sized for at least 14 days of continuous recording. Cloud backup is a fine second copy, never the only copy — subscriptions lapse, Wi-Fi drops, and evidence shouldn't depend on either.
4. Alerts tuned to humans, not moths
Person-and-vehicle detection with activity zones ends the 3 AM moth alerts. The best system is one you don't mute — because a muted system protects nothing. During our installs we tune zones on your actual phone, with you watching.
Shopping rule of thumb: budget per camera drops when placement is right — three well-placed 4K cameras beat eight random ones. Our CCTV service starts with a free placement survey, and every quote lists hardware, labor and storage separately.