How to Choose a CCTV System for Your Home in Sri Lanka
Wired HD, IP or Wi-Fi? How many cameras, which night vision, how recording works and how to keep it all running through power cuts and monsoon rain.
A good home CCTV system does two jobs: it discourages people from trying their luck, and it gives you clear footage if something does happen. Getting both right is less about buying the most expensive camera and more about matching the system to your house, your budget and local conditions such as power cuts, monsoon rain and humidity.
Start with what you want to see
Walk around your property and note the places that matter most. For most homes the list looks like this:
- Main gate and driveway: who comes and goes, and number plates if the gate is close enough.
- Front and back doors: clear, face-level views of anyone entering.
- Side passages and boundary walls: important on corner plots or where walls are low.
- Indoors (optional): a living area, or a way to check on elderly family members and pets.
For each spot, decide whether you need identification (a recognisable face or number plate) or just an overview. Identification needs the camera closer to the subject or a narrower lens.
Wired HD, IP or Wi-Fi: the three main options
Wired HD cameras with a DVR
These cameras send video over coaxial cable to a digital video recorder (DVR). They are usually the most affordable way to cover a house with four or more cameras, they are reliable, and they are easy to service. Resolutions from 2MP (1080p) to 5MP are common.
IP cameras with an NVR
IP cameras connect over network cable to a network video recorder (NVR), usually with PoE (Power over Ethernet), so one cable carries power and video. They cost more per camera but offer higher resolutions, built-in microphones and smarter detection that can tell people and vehicles apart from moving leaves. They suit new builds, larger homes and anyone who wants 4MP or 4K detail.
Wi-Fi cameras
Wi-Fi cameras from brands such as EZVIZ, Imou and Tapo need only a power point and your Wi-Fi. They record to a microSD card or a cloud plan and are managed from a phone app. They are ideal for rented homes, indoor monitoring or adding one or two views, but they depend on a strong Wi-Fi signal and are harder to scale to many outdoor cameras.
| Type | Cabling | Recording | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wired HD (DVR) | Coax plus power to each camera | Hard drive in the DVR | Budget-friendly 4 to 8 camera homes |
| IP (NVR) | One network cable per camera | Hard drive in the NVR | More detail, smart detection, new builds |
| Wi-Fi | Power point only | microSD card or cloud | Rentals, indoor use, one or two extra views |
How many cameras do you need?
Count the entry points first, then add overview cameras. As a rough starting point:
- 2 cameras: a small house or annex with one gate and one door.
- 4 cameras: a typical home, covering the gate, front door, back door and one side.
- 6 to 8 cameras: larger or two-storey homes, corner plots and properties with several entrances.
Choose a recorder with spare channels. If you install four cameras today, an 8-channel recorder lets you add more later without replacing it.
Resolution, lenses and placement
2MP is fine for a porch or small garden, 4MP or 5MP gives noticeably more detail when you zoom into a recording, and 4K suits wide driveways. Lens width matters just as much: a wide 2.8mm lens covers more area, while a 6mm or varifocal lens is better for faces at a gate several metres away.
Mount cameras out of easy reach but not so high that you only see the tops of heads, avoid pointing them at the sky or street lights, and keep them under the eaves where you can.
Night vision options
- Infrared (IR): the standard option, recording in black and white.
- Full-colour night vision: ranges such as Hikvision ColorVu use a sensitive sensor and a soft white light to record in colour, which helps with clothing and vehicle colours.
- Smart hybrid light: the camera stays in IR mode and turns on its white light only when it detects a person.
Recording and viewing on your phone
DVRs and NVRs record to a surveillance-grade hard drive, typically 1TB to 4TB for a home. How long footage is kept depends on the number of cameras, resolution, compression and whether you record continuously or only on motion. Two to four weeks is a sensible target for most homes.
For remote viewing, the recorder connects to your router and you use the brand’s app, such as Hik-Connect, EZVIZ, Imou Life or Tapo. Use a strong, unique password, turn on two-step verification and keep the firmware updated. Place the recorder somewhere discreet so an intruder cannot simply take it.
Plan for power cuts, rain and lightning
- A UPS for the recorder, camera power supply or PoE switch, and router, so recording and remote viewing continue through outages.
- Weatherproof cameras rated IP66 or IP67, with sealed junction boxes and drip loops so monsoon rain does not reach the connectors.
- Surge protection and proper earthing, especially for long outdoor cable runs.
- Ventilation for the recorder. A hot, closed cupboard shortens hard drive life.
What should a quote include?
A clear quote lists the camera and recorder models, cable type and length, drive capacity, power supply, UPS, labour, app setup and warranty, so you can compare quotes line by line.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch my CCTV cameras on my phone?
Yes. Modern recorders and Wi-Fi cameras support app viewing over the internet, whether your home uses fibre or a 4G router from SLT-Mobitel, Dialog or another provider. Live viewing uses data, so watch your package allowance.
Will my cameras keep recording during a power cut?
Only with backup power. Put the recorder, camera power supply or PoE switch and router on a UPS sized for the load, and ask for the expected backup time in your quote.
How long will my recordings be kept?
When the drive is full, the recorder overwrites the oldest footage. Four 2MP cameras using H.265 typically fit a few weeks of continuous recording on a 2TB drive.
Ready to plan your system? Start with the 4-camera home CCTV preset in our project builder and adjust the cameras, storage and UPS to suit your house, or read about our CCTV and security installation service. For advice, call our Kandy team on +94 72 299 9915 or email info@eudora.lk.
Eudora Technology is a Kandy-based team working on CCTV, networks, IT support, cloud and websites for homes and businesses across Sri Lanka.
