CCTV Systems for Homes in Ireland

A professionally designed CCTV system provides continuous visibility of activity around your home, strengthens deterrence, and supports evidence gathering in the event of an incident. Modern systems combine high-resolution cameras, reliable recording infrastructure, secure remote access and intelligent analytics to deliver a level of situational awareness that older analogue systems simply cannot match.

At HomeSecurityIreland.ie, we design CCTV systems using an engineering-led approach: risk assessment, camera selection, field-of-view planning, recording architecture, network design, commissioning and verification. This ensures that every camera is positioned with purpose and every recording path is reliable.

CCTV system architecture

A modern CCTV system consists of cameras, a recording device, a network infrastructure and optional cloud or mobile access. Understanding the architecture helps ensure reliability and performance.

Core components

• IP cameras: Network-connected cameras with onboard processing and analytics.
• NVR (Network Video Recorder): Central recording device storing footage from all cameras.
• PoE switches: Provide power and data to cameras over Ethernet.
• Local network infrastructure: Router, switches and cabling.
• Mobile access platform: Secure remote viewing and playback.
• Optional cloud backup: Off-site storage for critical cameras.

Logical architecture (text-based diagram)

[IP Cameras] --(PoE/Ethernet)--> [PoE Switch] --(LAN)--> [NVR]
                                          \
                                           \--> [Router] --> [Mobile App / Cloud]
  

The reliability of a CCTV system depends heavily on the quality of the network path between cameras and the NVR, as well as the placement and configuration of each camera.

Camera types and technical characteristics

Selecting the correct camera type is essential for achieving usable footage. Different areas of a property require different optics, housings and sensor technologies.

Bullet cameras

• Strengths: Long-range coverage, strong deterrent effect, weather-resistant housings.
• Use cases: Driveways, side passages, rear gardens and perimeter lines.

Dome cameras

• Strengths: Discreet appearance, vandal-resistant options, tamper-resistant design.
• Use cases: Entrances, porches, internal hallways and shared access areas.

Turret cameras

• Strengths: Excellent night performance, flexible aiming, minimal IR reflection issues.
• Use cases: Most external applications in Irish homes where strong night images are required.

PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras

• Strengths: Remote control, optical zoom, large area coverage.
• Limitations: Not a substitute for fixed cameras; PTZs can only look in one direction at a time.
• Use cases: Larger rural sites, long driveways or specific high-risk areas.

Lens selection and field of view

Lens choice directly affects what a camera can see and at what distance identification is possible.

• 2.8 mm lenses: Wide field of view, ideal for general area coverage.
• 4 mm lenses: Narrower view, better for closer identification tasks.
• 6 mm and above: Used where longer-range observation is required, for example, long driveways.

Night vision technologies

• Infrared (IR) illumination: Standard black-and-white night vision using IR LEDs.
• Enhanced low-light sensors: Improved performance in dim ambient light without excessive IR.
• Full-colour night cameras: Maintain colour images at night using advanced sensors and, in some cases, supplementary white light.

For many Irish homes with low street lighting, camera selection is heavily influenced by night performance, not just daytime picture quality.

Smart analytics and detection logic

Modern CCTV platforms provide analytics that help distinguish meaningful events from background motion, significantly reducing false alerts and making recordings easier to review.

Typical analytics features

• Human detection: Filters alerts to focus on people rather than general motion.
• Vehicle detection: Useful on driveways and private parking areas.
• Line crossing detection: Virtual tripwires to detect movement across a defined boundary.
• Intrusion zones: Alerts when movement occurs within a specified area (e.g. patio area, side yard).
• Object removal detection: Detects when an item is removed from a defined zone (tools, bikes, equipment).

Alert logic and practical configuration

The engineering task is to configure analytics so that:

• Alerts are raised when people or vehicles enter high-risk zones.
• Routine background motion (trees, shadows, passing traffic) does not generate constant alerts.
• Recording markers make it easy to jump to relevant events during review.

We routinely adjust detection zones and sensitivity during commissioning to reflect real-world conditions at the property.

Designing CCTV for Irish home layouts

Irish residential properties share common architectural patterns, and effective CCTV design is about mapping those patterns into a coverage plan that captures likely approach routes and vulnerable points.

Apartments and duplex units

• Primary focus: Main entrance door and any accessible balcony or terrace.
• Typical solution: One external camera at the door or corridor (where permitted), one camera for balcony doors.
• Optional: Internal camera in hallway if there is a specific need.

Semi-detached and terraced houses

These homes often have a similar risk pattern: front entrance, side passage (if present) and rear patio doors.

• Front camera: Cover door, path and driveway; align so faces are captured at eye level.
• Side camera: Oversee side gate and passage, a common concealed approach route.
• Rear camera: Cover patio doors and garden access points.

Detached homes

• Usually require full perimeter coverage, often 4 or more cameras.
• Multiple entrances and larger gardens require careful field-of-view planning.
• Outbuildings and detached garages often require dedicated cameras.

Rural properties

• Approach routes may be longer; lenses must be selected to allow early detection and identification.
• Ambient lighting is often minimal, making night vision performance critical.
• Farm buildings, workshops and storage sheds are common targets and should be considered in the design.

CCTV should be designed in conjunction with your home alarm system, so that cameras cover the same approach routes and key doors that are protected by the alarm.

Camera placement and field-of-view engineering

Poorly placed cameras are one of the most common reasons for unusable footage. Proper placement is an engineering task involving height, angle, field-of-view and lighting analysis.

Core placement principles

• Mounting height: Typically 2.6–3.0 metres to balance tamper resistance with image detail.
• Viewing angle: Avoid placing cameras too high and pointing straight down, which destroys facial detail.
• Backlighting: Minimise views directly into strong light sources such as low sun or exposed floodlights.
• Cross-coverage: Ensure that if one camera is obstructed, another can still see critical areas.

Example external camera layout (text-based diagram)

[Front Turret]  ---> Front door, driveway, footpath
[Side Turret]   ---> Side passage, gate, bin area
[Rear Turret]   ---> Patio doors, rear garden, shed doors
  

Each camera’s field-of-view is tested at commissioning using live images, both during daylight and after dark, to confirm that identification and recognition distances meet the design intent.

Recording and storage architecture

The purpose of CCTV is not just to see events live, but to be able to review and export footage when needed. Recording architecture must be sized correctly for resolution, frame rate and retention requirements.

NVR-based local recording

• Central device: The NVR receives and records streams from all cameras.
• Storage: Hard drives sized for the desired number of days retention.
• Access: Local playback on a monitor or remote playback via the app.

Retention planning

Typical retention for domestic systems ranges from 7 to 30+ days. Key factors include:

• Number of cameras.
• Resolution (e.g. 4 MP, 8 MP).
• Frame rate.
• Recording mode (continuous vs motion-only).

Cloud backup (optional)

• Used selectively for critical views such as front door or driveway.
• Provides off-site resilience in case the recorder is stolen or damaged.

We calculate storage requirements during design so that the NVR is correctly specified for your expectations.

Networking, bandwidth and communication paths

Reliable networking is essential for both recording and remote viewing. Poor network design can cause frame drops, lag and connection issues.

PoE (Power over Ethernet)

• Provides both power and data on a single network cable to each camera.
• Reduces the need for local power supplies at camera positions.
• Considered best practice for fixed IP CCTV cameras.

Wi-Fi cameras

• Useful where cabling is impractical, for example in certain retrofit scenarios.
• Dependent on Wi-Fi signal strength, interference and router performance.
• Generally recommended for lower-risk or supplementary views, not primary coverage.

Bandwidth and router considerations

• Each camera consumes bandwidth on the local network; the NVR should be hard-wired.
• For remote access, upload bandwidth is the limiting factor—higher upload speeds allow smoother remote viewing.
• Where possible, NVRs should be connected to the router via Ethernet, not Wi-Fi.

We assess your existing broadband and network setup during the survey and may recommend adjustments such as upgraded routers or additional switches where necessary.

Installation and commissioning process

Professional installation and commissioning ensure that the system performs in real conditions—not just on paper.

1. Site survey

• Identify vulnerable areas and approach routes.
• Assess mounting options and cable routes.
• Review existing infrastructure (power, network, potential NVR locations).

2. System design

• Select camera types, lenses and housing for each location.
• Determine NVR size and storage based on required retention.
• Plan network topology: PoE switches, router connections and any remote access requirements.

3. Physical installation

• Mount cameras securely with appropriate fixings for Irish weather conditions.
• Run and terminate cabling neatly and discreetly where possible.
• Install the NVR in a secure indoor location, ideally not immediately visible.

4. Commissioning and optimisation

• Adjust focus, zoom and field-of-view for each camera.
• Configure exposure, wide dynamic range (WDR) and night settings.
• Set up analytics zones and sensitivity to minimise false alerts.
• Confirm recording schedules and retention duration.
• Test mobile access and user accounts.

5. Handover and training

• Demonstrate live view, playback and clip export.
• Show how to manage users and passwords.
• Explain basic troubleshooting steps.

For information on how CCTV fits into a complete security solution alongside alarms, see our Home Alarm Systems and Smart Home Security Systems pages.

Privacy and compliance considerations

Domestic CCTV must be used responsibly. While homeowners generally can use CCTV for legitimate security purposes, there are good-practice guidelines that should be followed.

• Focus cameras primarily on your own property and access points.
• Avoid unnecessary, continuous focus on neighbours’ windows or gardens.
• Minimise coverage of public footpaths beyond what is necessary for security.
• For multi-occupancy or rental properties, consider clear signage indicating CCTV use.

We design camera positions with these considerations in mind, balancing effective security coverage with respect for privacy.

Case study: CCTV upgrade in a Dublin semi-detached home

The following project illustrates a typical upgrade for a 3‑bed semi-detached house in South Dublin.

Existing situation

• Legacy analogue CCTV with low resolution and poor night performance.
• One camera at the front, no coverage of side passage or rear garden.
• No remote access, local monitor in an inconvenient position.

Objectives

• Achieve clear identification-quality footage at front door and driveway.
• Cover side passage and rear patio doors.
• Enable remote access for both homeowners via mobile app.
• Improve night performance without excessive glare from nearby lighting.

Solution implemented

• Installed three new IP turret cameras with enhanced low-light performance.
• Positioned front camera to capture visitors at the doorstep and vehicles in the driveway.
• Installed side camera to view gate and passage, eliminating a previous blind spot.
• Installed rear camera to cover patio doors and garden access.
• Replaced legacy DVR with an NVR sized for 30 days retention at appropriate resolution.
• Configured human and vehicle analytics to reduce false alerts.
• Set up secure mobile access with individual logins for both occupants.

Outcome

• Substantial improvement in image quality and night-time detail.
• Full coverage of all external access points.
• Meaningful, low-noise alerts when people or vehicles enter defined zones.
• Easy incident review via time-filtered search and analytic markers.

CCTV planning checklist

When planning a CCTV system for your home, it is useful to consider the following points in advance:

• List all external doors, side passages and accessible windows.
• Note any existing cameras or cabling that may be reused.
• Identify high-priority areas for identification-level footage (for example, front door).
• Consider whether outbuildings, driveways or shared access lanes require coverage.
• Check your current broadband upload speed and router location.
• Decide how many days of recording you would like to retain.

Frequently asked questions about home CCTV systems

1. How many cameras does a typical Irish home need?

Most semi-detached homes are effectively covered by two to three cameras: one at the front, one at the rear and, where there is a side passage, one for the side. Detached properties and rural homes may require four or more cameras to achieve full perimeter coverage.

2. Can CCTV work if my broadband goes down?

Yes. The cameras record to the local NVR regardless of broadband status. Broadband is only required for remote viewing and cloud services. If broadband is down, local recording continues and can be reviewed on-site directly from the NVR.

3. How long is footage stored?

Retention depends on the number of cameras, recording resolution, frame rate and hard drive size. For most domestic systems, we design for 7–30 days of continuous or motion-based recording, according to your preference.

4. Do I need colour night vision?

Colour night imaging can be very useful for identifying vehicle colours, clothing and other details. In areas with some ambient light, enhanced low-light or colour night cameras can provide a significant advantage. In very dark rural environments, traditional IR-based night vision may still be more practical.

5. Can CCTV integrate with my alarm system?

Yes. While full integration depends on the specific platforms involved, it is standard practice to design CCTV so that cameras cover the same entry routes as your home alarm system. In some systems, alarm events can also be used to mark or trigger camera recordings for easier review.

6. Where should the NVR be installed?

The NVR should be placed in a secure indoor location, ideally not immediately visible from main living areas or entrances. It requires stable power, a network connection to your router and sufficient ventilation. In some designs, the NVR is placed in a locked utility or comms-style cupboard.

7. Can I view my cameras on my phone when I am abroad?

Yes, provided your broadband connection at home is functioning and correctly configured. The NVR or camera platform connects securely to a cloud service, allowing you to view live and recorded footage from an authorised app on your phone or tablet.

8. Are wireless CCTV cameras reliable?

Wireless cameras can be reliable when Wi-Fi coverage is strong and interference is minimal, but for primary external coverage we generally recommend PoE-wired cameras where practical. Wireless cameras are best used in specific situations where cabling is impossible or highly disruptive.

9. Can you upgrade my existing analogue CCTV system?

In many cases, yes. Existing coaxial cabling may be reusable, either with HD-over-coax technologies or by repurposing it within a new design. However, for full IP functionality and higher resolutions, a structured cabling and NVR upgrade is often the most future-proof solution. We assess this during a survey.

10. How long does a typical home CCTV installation take?

For a standard 2–3 camera system on a semi-detached home, installation and commissioning are typically completed in a single day. More complex systems, larger properties or combined alarm and CCTV projects may take longer, which we will outline in advance.

For additional guidance on home security, you can explore our Home Security Advice & Guides section.