CCTV stands for Closed-Circuit Television. But what does that actually mean, and how do you decide what your property needs? Here's everything you need to know in plain English.
What Does CCTV Stand For?
CCTV stands for Closed-Circuit Television. The 'closed circuit' part refers to the fact that the video feed is transmitted to a specific, limited set of monitors — rather than being broadcast publicly like traditional television.
In practice, a CCTV system consists of cameras positioned around a property, connected to a recording device (called a DVR or NVR), which stores the footage. That footage can be viewed live on a monitor and reviewed later if needed.
How Does a CCTV System Work?
Modern CCTV systems work in four stages:
- Capture — Cameras record video in real time. Most modern cameras record in HD (1080p) or 4K resolution, with infrared LEDs providing night vision in low-light conditions.
- Transmit — The video signal is sent from the camera to the recording device. Older analogue systems use coaxial cables; modern IP systems use standard network cables (Cat5e/Cat6) or even Wi-Fi.
- Record — A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) stores analogue footage; a Network Video Recorder (NVR) handles IP camera footage. Most systems store 7–30 days of continuous recording, with motion-triggered recording extending storage significantly.
- View — Footage can be viewed on a local monitor, or — with modern IP systems — on a smartphone or tablet from anywhere in the world via an app.
Types of CCTV Camera
Choosing the right camera type for each location makes a big difference to what you actually capture:
- Dome cameras — Discreet, vandal-resistant, and suitable for indoor or outdoor use. The dome casing makes it hard to tell which direction the camera is pointing — a useful deterrent.
- Bullet cameras — Cylindrical cameras that are highly visible and great for long-distance shots. Often used on perimeters and car parks.
- PTZ cameras (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) — Can rotate, tilt, and zoom remotely. Used in large areas like car parks, warehouses, and retail premises.
- Body-worn cameras — Worn by security personnel for first-person footage.
- Discreet / covert cameras — Designed to be hidden. Useful for specific internal monitoring situations (subject to legal requirements around employee monitoring).
Analogue vs IP CCTV: What's the Difference?
Analogue (or HD-over-coax) systems are the traditional option. They're reliable, relatively inexpensive, and easy to maintain. However, they're limited in resolution compared to modern IP systems and can't be as easily integrated with other smart building systems.
IP (Internet Protocol) CCTV systems are now the standard for new installations. They offer much higher resolution (4K and above), flexible networking, remote access via smartphone, intelligent features like facial recognition and motion analytics, and far easier scalability — adding more cameras is simple.
For most London homes and businesses installing CCTV today, we recommend an IP-based NVR system for the best balance of image quality, remote access, and future-proofing.
Does CCTV Actually Deter Crime?
Research consistently shows that clearly visible CCTV cameras reduce opportunistic crime. Burglars, vandals, and trespassers are less likely to target properties with obvious camera coverage. In the event that a crime does occur, high-quality CCTV footage dramatically increases the chances of identifying and prosecuting the perpetrator.
For businesses, CCTV also reduces internal theft, helps manage insurance claims, and provides evidence in workplace disputes.
What Does CCTV Installation Cost in London?
Costs depend on the number of cameras, the type of system, cable runs, and any additional features like remote monitoring. As a rough guide:
- Small system (4K camera, recorder, app viewing): from £600 installed
- 4-camera HD system with NVR and 1TB storage: typically £600–£1,500
- 8-camera commercial system with remote access: from £1,200–£2,000
- Large commercial installations: quoted on survey
Do You Need Permission to Install CCTV?
For domestic use on your own property, you generally don't need planning permission. However, you must comply with UK GDPR if your cameras capture public areas or neighbouring properties — this means displaying clear signage and not retaining footage longer than necessary.
For businesses, GDPR compliance is mandatory. Our team can advise on correct camera positioning to meet legal requirements while still providing effective coverage.
Security Red Alert installs CCTV across all 32 London boroughs. Contact us for a free, no-obligation site survey.
Need help with this in London?
Security Red Alert covers all 32 London boroughs from our Summerstown SW17 office. Explore our CCTV Installation, Home CCTV and Commercial CCTV services, or call 020 8946 5567 for a free survey.