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CCTV Cameras

A CCTV camera captures video of an area for live viewing and recording, and its body shape, lens and night vision decide where it can go and what it can see. This page holds turret, dome, bullet, fisheye, cube and PTZ cameras in IP and analogue, from brands including Ajax, Aritech, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha Vision, HiLook, Hikvision, i-PRO and Teledyne FLIR.

Choosing CCTV Cameras

Choose a camera body for the position first, then the technology the scene needs, then the system it records to.

Body shape

Turrets and domes suit soffits and ceilings; domes resist tampering and hide where they point. Bullets carry longer lenses and IR for driveways and boundaries. Fisheye cameras such as the Hikvision DS-2CD63C5G1-IVS offer several dewarping modes from one 12 MP camera, and PTZ cameras follow activity across a wide area.

Night vision and detection

Hikvision ColorVu cameras, such as the DS-2CD2347G3-LI2UY with an F1.0 lens, give colour at night; DarkFighter models, such as the 4K DS-2DF6A832X-DE3(T5) PTZ, work in very low light. AcuSense models tell people and vehicles apart, and Active Deterrence models add a strobe and siren to challenge an intruder.

IP or analogue

IP cameras connect to an NVR over network cable, many powered by PoE. Analogue HD cameras, such as the HiLook THC-T250-MS 5MP Turbo-HD turret, connect to a DVR over coax.

TypeExampleNote
ColorVu turretDS-2CD2347G3-LI2UY4 MP, F1.0, PoE
FisheyeDS-2CD63C5G1-IVS12 MP, IP67
Active deterrence bulletDS-2CD2T46G2H-IS2U/SL4MP AcuSense
4G bulletDS-2XS6A87G1-LS/4G4K ColorVu, 64GB eMMC
Analogue turretHiLook THC-T250-MS5MP Turbo-HD, IP67

Hard-to-reach and harsh sites

4G cameras, such as the DS-2DE5425IWG-4G PTZ, send video over a cellular connection where there is no network cable, and anti-corrosion cameras such as the DS-2XC3186G0H-LISU/SL(PA) suit harsh environments. PIR cameras such as the DS-2CE72KF3T-PIRXO add a passive infrared sensor to cut false alarms.

Brands we stock in CCTV Cameras

Ajax, Aritech, Avigilon Unity, Axis Communications, Bosch, Comelit PAC, Dahua Technology, DMP, ESP, EZVIZ, Genie, Hanwha Vision, HIKMICRO, Hikvision, HiLook, i-PRO, Luminite, Nortech, OpenEye, Paxton Access, Pyronix, Teledyne FLIR, TP-Link and Verint.

Hikvision supplies the most cameras.

Related categories

See speciality cameras for body-worn, panoramic and people-counting units, thermal cameras for heat detection, and the full Hikvision camera range, with weatherproof models in outdoor IP67 cameras. Record on NVRs for IP or DVRs for analogue, mount with camera mounts and brackets, cable with CCTV cables and connectors, and view on CCTV monitors.

Frequently asked questions

Can you replace one camera on an existing CCTV system?

Yes, a single camera can usually be replaced, as long as the new one matches the system type. An analogue HD camera needs a DVR that supports its signal format, while an IP camera needs an NVR that supports its protocol, such as ONVIF. Check the cabling and power too, as coax, PoE and separate supplies are not interchangeable.

How do you choose a home security camera?

Choose a home security camera by where it will go and what it needs to see. Wired cameras recording to a recorder suit permanent systems, while Wi-Fi cameras are simpler for a single doorway or garden. Look for good night vision, person detection to cut false alerts and an IP rating such as IP67 outdoors. The range here includes wired and Wi-Fi cameras.

Can you install a security camera yourself?

Yes, you can install many security cameras yourself, especially Wi-Fi models and PoE cameras that take power and data over one network cable. Plan cable routes, mount cameras out of easy reach, and leave any mains wiring to a qualified electrician. In the UK, a camera that films beyond your own property brings data protection duties, so aim it carefully.

What is a security camera?

A security camera is a video camera used to watch and record an area to deter crime and provide evidence. It sends its picture to a recorder, a cloud service or a phone app for live viewing and playback. Cameras come in styles such as turret, dome, bullet and PTZ for different positions. The range here includes IP, analogue HD, thermal and 4G cameras.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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