Choosing a commercial camera system is usually framed as a question of cameras: how many, what resolution, where they go. The recording platform behind them matters as much, and it is where long-term costs are decided.
On-site recorders
A network video recorder, or NVR, is a dedicated box with its own storage, installed in the building. Recording stays on your premises, there is no monthly fee for storage, and the system keeps working if the internet goes down. NVRs suit single sites and owners who want their footage kept in house. We install recorders and cameras from Hanwha, Speco and Ubiquiti.
Cloud video
Cloud platforms such as Eagle Eye keep footage off site and let you manage every camera, at every location, from a browser. Updates are handled for you, and adding a new site does not mean adding a new server. The trade is a subscription, usually charged per camera.
Ask what the system costs in year five, not just on day one.
Where the recorder goes
If you record on site, install the recorder somewhere inconspicuous, where it cannot easily be tampered with or removed. Footage is only useful if it survives the incident.
Questions worth asking
- How many cameras do we need now, and in five years?
- Do we need to see several sites under one login?
- What happens to recording if the internet goes down?
- Does the system link to access control, so door events come with video?
We are happy to review an existing quote or system and tell you what it will cost to own, not only what it costs to buy.
