CCTV prices have collapsed over the last five years. A decent 4-camera system is now well under Ksh 60,000 fitted. But we still visit homes every week where the system was badly scoped — wrong lens, wrong storage, no remote viewing, or cameras aimed at the wrong spots. Here's what to know before you buy.

1. Analogue vs IP — just go IP

Old-school analogue cameras (AHD, TVI, CVI) still exist but you should almost always choose IP cameras today. Higher resolution, Power-over-Ethernet (one cable for data and power), easier remote viewing, and future-proof.

2. Resolution: 2MP, 4MP, or 8MP?

For most homes, 4MP is the sweet spot. 2MP is too soft for face recognition at distance; 8MP (4K) is glorious but needs big storage and decent bandwidth. Mix and match — 4MP on perimeters, 8MP on gates and entrances.

3. Storage: the part most installs get wrong

Cameras record 24/7. A single 4MP camera eats about 30 GB per day on H.265 compression. For 4 cameras with 30 days retention, size a 4 TB surveillance-grade hard drive (WD Purple or Seagate SkyHawk). Don't use a desktop drive — it will die in months.

4. NVR vs cloud

A physical NVR (Network Video Recorder) is still the most reliable option for Kenya because it doesn't rely on your internet being up. Add cloud backup for critical cameras if your budget allows.

5. Where to actually place cameras

  • Every ground-floor entry point (gate, front door, back door)
  • Driveway covering licence plates
  • Blind spots between buildings
  • Interior: hallway covering all bedroom doors

Skip aiming cameras at the sky or at trees that move in the wind (they'll trigger motion alerts all night).

6. Night vision and smart features

Infrared night vision is standard. Pay extra for colour night vision on key cameras — it dramatically helps identification. AI features like person/vehicle detection and licence-plate recognition are now affordable and cut false alerts massively.

7. Installation matters more than the brand

A Ksh 200,000 system installed badly performs worse than a Ksh 60,000 system installed well. Insist on: proper conduit, neat cable management, labelled ports, and a written handover document with admin passwords you can change.

Netvanta does free site surveys and custom CCTV quotes across Nairobi. Call 0141 107 771 and we'll map out exactly what your property needs.