Start with the question you want answered
The most common CCTV disappointment is footage that shows something happened but not who did it. That usually traces back to cameras placed for coverage instead of purpose.
Before picking hardware, walk the property and ask, for each area: what do I need to see here, and what would I do with that footage? The answer sets camera type, location and resolution.
It is also worth deciding who will watch footage and when. Most small businesses review recordings after an incident rather than watching live, which means camera placement and recording quality matter more than a large monitor at the front desk.
Give every camera a job
- Entrances and exits: capture faces at a choke point, at head height, not looking down from a high ceiling.
- Cash and POS: see hands, transactions and the person at the counter.
- Overview: show movement through the space so you can follow an incident.
- Parking and loading: vehicles, plates where needed, and approach paths.
- Perimeter and yard: detection and deterrence, often with good lighting.
Write each camera's job on the plan. It makes later changes and reviews much easier.
Detail depends on distance
A camera's resolution is spread across its field of view. The wider the scene, the fewer pixels land on any one person. Industry guidance describes target levels as pixels per metre at the subject: roughly detection, observation, recognition and identification, each needing much more detail than the one before.
Practical upshot: one high-resolution wide camera does not replace a well-placed camera at the door. Use varifocal lenses to frame each scene, and put identification cameras close to where people pass.
Lighting changes the picture too. A camera that captures sharp faces at noon may produce soft, noisy images at night. Plan identification cameras where the lighting is good, or improve the lighting where you need the detail.
Wiring, power and the recorder
- IP cameras with Power over Ethernet are standard now. One cable carries video and power from a PoE switch.
- Cable runs follow structured cabling limits. Long runs to outbuildings or poles may need fibre or a local switch. See structured cabling basics.
- Network video recorder (NVR) stores footage. Put it, and the PoE switch, on a UPS so cameras keep recording through short outages.
- Outdoor cameras should be rated for Edmonton's winter lows, with housings and mounts that keep snow off the lens.
- Lighting helps every camera. Infrared works at night, but good outdoor security lighting gives colour footage and deters people.
Camera and network cabling is low voltage, but power supplies, receptacles for recorders and any new circuits are electrical work under permit.
Storage and retention
How long you keep footage drives how much storage you need. Higher resolution, higher frame rates and continuous recording all increase it. Motion-based recording and smart codecs reduce it.
| Choice | Effect on storage |
|---|---|
| Higher resolution | More storage per camera |
| Higher frame rate | More storage; useful for fast action |
| Continuous vs motion recording | Motion recording uses much less |
| Longer retention | Scales storage directly |
Set retention to fit how fast you would notice and report an incident, then size storage with headroom.
Protect the recorder itself. Put it in a locked room or cabinet, not at the front counter where someone can take it on the way out. Keep firmware current, change default passwords, and limit who has viewing and export rights.
Many systems can also send a copy of key footage offsite or to the cloud, so a theft of the recorder does not take the evidence with it. Discuss bandwidth and privacy implications before turning that on.
Privacy and signage
In Alberta, private-sector businesses collecting personal information, including video of people, are subject to the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Practical steps include posting clear signs where cameras operate, recording only for a reasonable purpose, avoiding areas like washrooms and change rooms, controlling who can view footage, and having a retention policy.
For workplaces and multi-tenant buildings, get advice on your specific obligations. For homes, aim cameras at your own property and avoid neighbours' windows and yards.
After installation, review footage from each camera after dark and in a snowfall. Adjust angles and lighting before you need the footage.
Getting a system installed
A good installer will walk the site with you, propose camera positions and their purpose, explain storage and remote viewing, and coordinate power and cabling. Our video surveillance team does exactly that, and can integrate cameras with access control events.
Common questions
How many cameras do I need?
As many as there are jobs to do. Count entrances, cash points, key areas and outdoor approaches, then cover each with a camera placed for that purpose.
Is 4K always better?
Not always. Higher resolution helps wide scenes, but placement and lens choice matter more, and 4K uses more storage and bandwidth.
Will cameras work at -35 C?
Choose cameras and housings rated for that range. Most commercial outdoor cameras are, but always check the specification.
Do I need signs for my business cameras?
Clear notice is a key part of meeting Alberta privacy expectations for video collection. Post signs at entrances to monitored areas.
Can I view cameras on my phone?
Most systems support secure remote viewing. Set it up with strong passwords and current firmware.
Codes and permit rules change and every building is different. For work on your system, talk to a licensed electrician and your local permit authority.