CCTV
Closed-circuit television explained: how CCTV works, the types of systems and cameras, what the law says and what it costs in South Africa - from a CCTV company that has installed 50,000+ cameras since 1967.
CCTV (closed-circuit television) is a video surveillance system in which cameras send their footage over a closed network to a recorder and screens that only authorised people can watch. Businesses, estates and homes use CCTV to deter and detect crime, investigate incidents and, with AI analytics, to spot threats and safety risks as they happen.
What is CCTV?
The name comes from early systems where cameras were wired directly to a fixed set of monitors - a closed circuit, unlike broadcast television. Modern CCTV is digital: IP cameras on a computer network, recorded by a network video recorder and viewed on a control-room video wall or a phone app. The term now covers all security camera systems, from a four-camera shop system to thousands of cameras across a mining group.
In South Africa CCTV is part of most business security plans because it does more than record. Visible cameras deter crime, recorded footage supports insurance claims and criminal cases, and monitored cameras with AI analytics let a control room stop an incident while it is still happening. See our CCTV systems service for how we design them for business.
How does CCTV work?
1. Cameras capture
A lens focuses light onto an image sensor, which turns it into a digital video signal. Infrared LEDs or a thermal sensor let the camera see in the dark.
2. Cabling carries
Video travels over Cat6 network cable (IP), coaxial cable (analogue/HD), fibre between buildings, or Wi-Fi and 4G where cabling is impractical. PoE cable also powers the camera.
3. The recorder stores
An NVR (IP) or DVR (analogue) compresses the video (H.265) and writes it to surveillance-rated hard drives, typically keeping 30 days or more before overwriting.
4. People watch and act
Footage is viewed live or played back on site, on a phone app, or in a 24/7 control room where operators respond to alarms and AI alerts as they happen.
In South Africa a fifth part matters just as much: power. An inverter or solar backup keeps cameras and recorders running through load-shedding, when criminals know alarms and cameras are most likely to be off.
Types of CCTV systems
IP (network) CCTV
Digital cameras on a network, recorded by an NVR. Highest resolution, AI analytics, remote access and easy expansion. The standard for business systems today.
Analogue and HD-over-coax
Cameras on coaxial cable recorded by a DVR. HD-TVI and HD-CVI give 1080p-8MP over existing coax, making them a budget upgrade for older sites.
Wireless CCTV
Wi-Fi or point-to-point radio links instead of cable. Useful for gates, yards and buildings that are hard to trench to, but needs good signal planning.
Solar and 4G CCTV
Self-powered cameras with a solar panel, battery and SIM card for farms, construction sites and remote perimeters with no power or network.
Cloud CCTV
Footage stored or backed up off site in the cloud, so it survives theft or damage of the recorder and can be viewed from anywhere.
Types of CCTV cameras
Dome cameras
Vandal-resistant, discreet ceiling cameras for shops, offices and corridors.
Bullet cameras
Long, visible cameras for outdoor walls, driveways and perimeters - a visible deterrent.
Turret cameras
Ball-shaped housings with strong night vision and no dome glare. A popular all-rounder.
PTZ cameras
Pan, tilt and zoom cameras that an operator or AI can steer to follow activity across large areas.
LPR / ANPR cameras
Read number plates at gates, weighbridges and car parks.
Thermal cameras
Detect body heat in total darkness, smoke and fog for long perimeters and equipment temperature.
Fisheye / 360° cameras
One camera covering a whole room or warehouse floor, ideal for heat mapping and footfall.
Vehicle CCTV and dashcams
Cameras for trucks, fleets and cash vehicles.
IP vs analogue CCTV
| IP CCTV | Analogue / HD-over-coax | |
|---|---|---|
| Image quality | 4MP-12MP, sharp digital zoom | Up to 8MP with HD-over-coax, 1080p typical |
| AI analytics | Built in on camera or NVR | Limited, mostly on the DVR |
| Cabling | Cat6 with PoE: one cable for power and data | Coax plus separate power |
| Remote access | Native, encrypted | Via the DVR |
| Upfront cost | Higher | Lower, reuses existing coax |
| Best for | New business systems and upgrades with AI | Budget upgrades of older coax sites |
Key CCTV terms
- NVR
- Network Video Recorder - records IP cameras over the network.
- DVR
- Digital Video Recorder - records analogue and HD-over-coax cameras.
- PoE
- Power over Ethernet - one network cable carries both power and video to the camera.
- MP (megapixels)
- Image resolution. 4MP is the business standard; 8MP (4K) for wide areas and detail.
- IR
- Infrared night vision, usually rated in metres (e.g. 30m IR).
- WDR
- Wide Dynamic Range - keeps faces visible against bright doors and windows.
- VMS
- Video Management Software such as Milestone XProtect, which runs many sites from one screen.
- Retention
- How many days of footage are kept before the oldest is overwritten.
- H.265
- Video compression that roughly halves storage compared with H.264.
- Video analytics
- Software that detects people, vehicles, behaviour and objects in the video.
AI CCTV and video analytics
AI CCTV adds software that understands what the camera sees. Instead of recording hours of footage nobody watches, the system raises an alert when it detects a person on a perimeter at night, a shoplifter concealing stock, a worker without PPE, a weapon or a vehicle whose plate is on a watch list. Read the complete guide to AI CCTV or see our video analytics service.
CCTV monitoring
Cameras only prevent crime when someone acts on what they see. With 24/7 offsite CCTV monitoring, operators in our in-house control room watch AI alerts from your cameras, issue voice-down warnings through site speakers and dispatch armed response or SAPS while the incident is still under way. Read about the benefits of offsite monitoring.
CCTV and the law in South Africa
- POPIA: footage of identifiable people is personal information. Record only for a stated purpose such as security, restrict who can view it, keep it no longer than necessary and protect it from unauthorised access.
- Signage: tell people they are being recorded with clear CCTV signs at entrances.
- Private areas: never record bathrooms, changing rooms or similar spaces, and take care with audio recording.
- Public spaces: some municipalities, such as the City of Johannesburg, regulate privately owned cameras that view public roads and pavements.
- Installers: security installers must be registered with PSIRA. Ours are PSIRA 960468 and 4412150, and we hold SAIDSA Grade A accreditation (ASP-1571).
What does CCTV cost?
As a 2026 average, a small commercial CCTV system of 4-8 IP cameras costs R25,000-R60,000 fully installed, and a standard camera point R2,500-R5,500. AI, LPR and thermal cameras, longer retention and integrations raise the price; 24/7 monitoring is a monthly service on top. Our CCTV installation price guide breaks it down by system size and component.
CCTV by industry
CCTV installation near you
We install, maintain and monitor CCTV from four branches, with local technicians across these areas:
CCTV in Gauteng
CCTV in KwaZulu-Natal
CCTV in Western Cape
CCTV guides
Choosing and buying CCTV
AI CCTV
CCTV technology
CCTV integrations
CCTV FAQs
Quick answers to the most common questions about CCTV
Choose a category above to view answers.
CCTV stands for closed-circuit television. The circuit is closed because the video is sent only to a specific recorder and set of screens, not broadcast publicly. Today the term covers all video surveillance systems, including IP cameras viewed on a phone.
The three main types of CCTV system are analogue (including HD-over-coax, recorded by a DVR), IP or network CCTV (recorded by an NVR) and wireless CCTV (Wi-Fi, radio or 4G links). Most new business systems are IP because they offer higher resolution, AI analytics and remote access.
Cameras turn light into a video signal, cabling or a wireless link carries it to a recorder (NVR or DVR), the recorder compresses and stores it on hard drives, and people view the footage live or play it back on a monitor, phone app or in a 24/7 control room.
Most business systems in South Africa keep 30 days of footage, and high-risk sites keep 60-90 days. POPIA requires footage to be kept no longer than necessary for its purpose, so set a retention period, document it and overwrite footage after that.
Yes. CCTV is legal for security purposes, but footage of identifiable people is personal information under POPIA. Display signage, use cameras only for a stated purpose, restrict access to footage and do not record private areas such as bathrooms. Some municipalities, such as the City of Johannesburg, also regulate private cameras that view public spaces.
As a 2026 average, a small commercial system of 4-8 IP cameras costs R25,000-R60,000 installed, a 8-16 camera system R60,000-R150,000 and larger industrial systems R150,000-R350,000. Monitoring adds R950-R3,500 per month. See our CCTV installation price guide for the full breakdown.
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