CCTV buying guide
5 CCTV buying mistakes to avoid
Why camera count and megapixels alone do not create useful security coverage.
Read guide →Practical technology guidanceChoose with confidence.
Choose with confidence.
Understand what matters.
Straightforward guidance for Sri Lankan homes and businesses choosing CCTV, connectivity and POS solutions.
Featured guides
Start with the question you are trying to answer.
These guides explain the decision in plain language. Final equipment should still be selected for the real site and requirement.
Connectivity guide
Wi-Fi camera vs 4G camera
Choose based on internet availability, signal, power and remote-site conditions.
Read guide →Camera planning
How to choose the correct lens
Understand the practical difference between a wide view and useful subject detail.
Read guide →System comparison
IP camera vs analog camera
Compare cabling, flexibility, upgrades and project fit without treating one as universally better.
Read guide →Installation guide
Why professional CCTV installation matters
Placement, cabling, storage, configuration and handover decide whether the system is useful.
Read guide →Business systems
POS benefits for small businesses
Turn daily billing into clearer stock, customer and business information.
Read guide →Guide 01 · CCTV buying
5 CCTV buying mistakes you should avoid
Short answer: A useful CCTV system is a coverage and evidence plan. The number printed on the box is only one part of it.
- Choosing only by camera count. Four correctly placed cameras can be more useful than a larger system with blind spots.
- Choosing only by megapixels. Lens, lighting, compression, recorder support and mounting distance also control usable detail.
- Ignoring night conditions. Reflections, vehicle lights, complete darkness and distance change the right night-vision choice.
- Guessing storage. Camera count, resolution, frame rate, compression, recording mode and retention days must be considered together.
- Forgetting installation and support. Cabling, power, password handling, mobile access and a clear handover matter after the sale.
Before buying, list the places you need to identify activity, the days of recording you expect and who should have remote access.
Guide 02 · Wireless cameras
Wi-Fi camera vs 4G camera
A Wi-Fi camera connects through a suitable local Wi-Fi network. It is often practical for homes, shops and other places with stable internet coverage and a nearby power source.
A 4G camera uses a mobile data connection and can suit farms, temporary sites and locations without fixed broadband. Before selecting one, check network signal, data usage, power, mounting and the environment.
Choose Wi-Fi when: stable Wi-Fi reaches the camera location. Choose 4G when: no suitable fixed connection exists but mobile coverage is dependable. Solar power is a separate site decision and should be checked for sunlight, battery needs and expected camera activity.
Guide 03 · Camera lens
How to choose the correct CCTV lens
A smaller focal length such as 2.8 mm normally gives a wider field of view. A larger focal length such as 4 mm normally gives a narrower view and makes a selected area appear closer. The exact result also depends on the camera sensor and installation.
- 2.8 mm: useful for broad nearby scenes such as rooms, entrances and wide shop areas.
- 3.6 mm: a balanced general-purpose option in many installations.
- 4 mm: useful when the target area is narrower or slightly farther away.
Do not choose a lens from the room size alone. Decide what must be visible and how much detail that subject should occupy in the final image.
Guide 04 · System type
IP camera vs analog camera
Modern analog HD systems can be a practical, cost-aware choice for many homes, shops and upgrades, especially where suitable coaxial cabling already exists. They use a DVR/XVR-style recording path.
IP cameras communicate over a network and commonly use NVR recording. They support flexible network design, PoE options and easier scaling for many business projects.
The correct choice depends on the existing cabling, camera count, required features, future growth, network capability and budget. A mixed or staged upgrade may sometimes be more sensible than replacing everything at once.
Guide 05 · Installation
Why professional CCTV installation matters
The product does not choose its own angle, cable route, power protection, storage settings or passwords. These installation decisions directly affect reliability and the usefulness of recorded video.
- Camera height and angle should reduce blind spots and unnecessary sky or wall coverage.
- Cables and connectors should be selected, routed and protected for the environment.
- Recording and retention settings should match the customer’s real requirement.
- Remote viewing should use controlled accounts and secure password practices.
- Users should receive a clear handover for playback, backup and support.
Guide 06 · POS systems
POS system benefits for small businesses
A POS system can connect daily billing with inventory, purchases, customer balances and reports. The main benefit is not simply printing a receipt — it is creating a clearer operating record.
- Faster, more consistent checkout and quotation workflows.
- Better visibility of current stock and purchasing activity.
- Customer and supplier outstanding records where the workflow requires them.
- Sales, expense and inventory reports for daily decisions.
- A repeatable process that staff can learn and follow.
Before choosing a POS, list your business type, item count, number of counters, branch needs, barcode or serial-number use, invoice language and the reports you need.