How to choose a CCTV system for a villa, shop or warehouse in Oman and the UAE
Choosing CCTV well is mostly about the questions you answer before you look at products. This guide follows the order we use on a site survey, for homes, shops, offices and warehouses in Oman and the UAE.
1. Decide what each camera must achieve
The industry describes image detail in four levels, called DORI in the IEC 62676-4 standard. They are measured in pixels per metre on the subject:
| Level | What you can do | Pixels per metre |
|---|---|---|
| Detection | See that a person or vehicle is present | 25 |
| Observation | See characteristics such as clothing or direction of travel | about 63 |
| Recognition | Recognise someone you already know | 125 |
| Identification | Identify a stranger or read a number plate | 250 |
A car-park overview may only need detection, while a shop entrance or a gate needs identification. Giving each area a level tells you which resolution, lens and mounting height you need.
2. Match the camera type to the area
| Camera type | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Dome | Indoor corridors, offices and ceilings where vandalism is possible | Limited range; glare on the dome in strong light |
| Bullet | Outdoor walls, gates, driveways and long narrow views | Needs a solid mount; the camera is visible, which also deters |
| Turret | Indoor and outdoor areas, easy to aim, less infrared glare | Field of view is fixed once aimed |
| PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) | Large open areas and following activity | Sees one place at a time, so combine with fixed cameras |
| Fisheye 360° | Lobbies, showrooms and open-plan floors | Image is de-warped, with less detail at the edges |
| Thermal | Perimeters in darkness, fog and dust | Detects people and vehicles but does not identify them |
For a deeper comparison with example locations, read IP camera types explained.
3. Work out resolution and lens
The width a camera can cover at a given level is its horizontal pixel count divided by the pixels per metre you need:
- A 4 MP camera (about 2,688 pixels wide) covers about 10.7 m at identification level (2,688 ÷ 250) and about 21 m at recognition level.
- An 8 MP camera (3,840 pixels wide) covers about 15.4 m at identification level and about 30.7 m at recognition level.
So an 8 m wide gate suits a 4 MP camera. A 20 m wide yard needs either two cameras or a lower level, such as recognition. A varifocal lens lets the installer set the angle of view on site instead of guessing it from a drawing.
4. Plan for night, sun, heat and dust
- Night: the infrared range printed on a datasheet is a maximum. The distance at which you can identify a face is shorter, so check the night image at the real distance.
- Sun and backlight: gates and doors facing the sun need wide dynamic range (WDR) so faces are not lost in shadow.
- Weather: choose IP66 or IP67 for outdoor cameras. In Gulf summers, check the rated operating temperature, mount in shade where you can, and plan to clean lenses and domes from dust.
- Vandal resistance: cameras within reach should have an impact rating such as IK10.
5. Size the recorder and storage
Storage depends on the number of cameras, resolution, frame rate, codec and how many days you keep recordings. Use the method in CCTV storage calculator: how many terabytes do you need? and add headroom.
6. Cabling, PoE and the network
IP cameras are normally powered and connected through one network cable (Power over Ethernet). Use pure-copper Cat6 cable, keep each run under 100 m, and size the switch for the total power of all cameras. Put cameras and the recorder on their own VLAN so they are separate from office and guest traffic. Details are in PoE for CCTV.
7. Remote viewing and cyber security
- Change every default password and give each user their own account with the rights they need.
- Do not open the recorder to the internet with port forwarding. Use a VPN or the manufacturer’s secure remote-access service.
- Keep recorder and camera firmware up to date, and check the system regularly.
8. Privacy and local rules
Aim cameras at your own property and avoid neighbours’ windows and private areas, and put up notices where they are needed. Requirements differ between Oman and the UAE, between emirates and between types of premises. In Dubai, for example, a regulator (the Security Industry Regulatory Agency) sets security-system requirements for certain premises. Check what applies to yours before the design is fixed, and ask us if you are unsure.
Typical starting points
| Site | Typical cameras | Usual positions |
|---|---|---|
| Villa or home | 4 to 8 | Gate and driveway, front door, garden sides, rear, garage |
| Small shop | 4 to 8 | Entrance, till, main aisle, storeroom, back door |
| Large shop or showroom | 8 to 16 | Entrances, tills, 360° fisheye over the floor, stock areas |
| Office | By layout | Reception, entrances, corridors, server room, car park |
| Warehouse | By area | Gates, loading bays, aisle ends, perimeter, yard |
These are starting points only. A site survey decides the final design.
Frequently asked questions
How many CCTV cameras does a villa need?
Most villas start with 4 to 8 cameras covering the gate, driveway, front door, garden and rear. The right number depends on the plot, walls and blind spots, which is why we survey first.
Is wired or wireless CCTV better?
Wired PoE cameras are the most reliable choice for a permanent system because power and data travel on one cable. Wireless cameras suit places where cabling is impractical, but they still need power and a strong signal.
How long should recordings be kept?
That is your decision, based on risk and any rules that apply to your business. Thirty days is a common target, and storage is sized to match it.
Can I view my cameras on my phone?
Yes. A secure remote-viewing setup lets you watch live and recorded video on a phone or computer, with a separate login for each user.
Next step: request a quotation and our engineers will survey your site, or browse Panasonic IP cameras and our CCTV and video surveillance service. We serve customers in Oman and the UAE.