A good CCTV system is quiet. You forget it's there until the day you need a clear clip, and then it has one. The choices below are the ones we see making or breaking installations across Dubai, from villas in Mirdif to flats in JVC and shops in Deira.
Start with what you need to see
Before talking about brands or resolution, list what the system must achieve. For most properties that means:
- Identify anyone who enters: a clear face at every entrance
- Observe movement around the perimeter, gate and parking
- Detect someone in areas that should be empty at night
Each of these needs a different camera and position. Identification at a door needs a camera close to head height with a narrow field of view. Observing a garden needs a wider view and good night performance.
Choosing cameras
Resolution. 4 MP is a sensible minimum for most positions today, and 4K (8 MP) is worth it where you need detail over distance, such as a long driveway or car park.
Night vision. Standard infrared gives black-and-white night images. Colour night vision cameras use sensitive sensors and soft white light, which helps identify clothing and vehicle colours.
Lens. A wide lens shows more but makes people smaller. A varifocal lens lets the installer set the exact view on site.
Dubai conditions. External cameras face heat, dust and humidity. Choose weather-rated (IP66 or better) housings and mount cameras away from direct afternoon sun where possible.
How much storage?
Storage depends on the number of cameras, their resolution, and how many days you keep. A home system might keep 2–4 weeks. Commercial premises regulated by SIRA usually need at least 31 days, and high-risk activities longer. A good installer calculates storage for your actual cameras and settings, instead of fitting whatever disk is in stock.
Homes, apartments and privacy
Home CCTV in Dubai does not need SIRA approval, but privacy still matters. Point cameras at your own property, not into neighbours' windows or gardens. In apartment buildings, check with your building management before installing a camera that sees a shared corridor.
Businesses and SIRA
If you run a commercial premises in Dubai, CCTV may be a licensing requirement regulated by SIRA, with rules on coverage, image quality, retention and maintenance, and work carried out by a licensed company. Read our guide to SIRA CCTV requirements before buying equipment.
What a good installation includes
When you compare installers, a professional job should include:
- A site survey and a written camera plan
- Hidden cabling in conduit, trunking or ceiling voids
- A UPS to keep recording through short power cuts
- Phone and PC setup for every user, with a short training session
- Handover: passwords, a camera list and warranty details in writing
- An optional maintenance contract
Common mistakes
- Putting the entrance camera opposite a glass door, so visitors become silhouettes
- Mounting cameras too high to see faces
- Using a default password on the recorder
- Never checking that the system is still recording
Next step
If you are planning CCTV for a Dubai home or business, we can survey the property and give you a written camera plan and quote. See CCTV installation in Dubai or call 056 794 3209.