--- title: "CCTV Explained: How a Complete CCTV System Works | Qyvea Kenya" url: https://qyvea.co.ke/how-cctv-works-kenya description: "How a complete CCTV system works, step by step: cameras, cabling, power, recorder, storage, network and phone viewing, with a system diagram and what to check before you buy." updated: 2026-10-17 --- > Markdown copy of https://qyvea.co.ke/how-cctv-works-kenya for AI assistants. Prices and stock change; check the live page. 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Imagine something goes wrong at your gate tonight. Could you show exactly who, when and how? Read on: it takes a few minutes and could save you a lot more than that. **In this guide you will see:** - There are five parts: cameras, cabling & power, recorder, storage, and viewing (monitor/phone). - HD (analog) systems use coax cable and a DVR; IP systems use network cable and an NVR. - Storage size decides how many days of footage you keep. Quick answer A CCTV system turns light into video at the camera, carries it over a cable to a recorder, stores it on hard drives, and makes it viewable on a monitor or phone. Every link matters: a sharp camera on a failing hard drive, or a good recorder without backup power, still leaves you without footage when you need it. [Photo: Alan J. Hendry / Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/KNt4zd8HPb0) Why this matters now ## Every night without proper recording is a night you cannot prove anything. ### If you wait - A theft or a dispute becomes your word against theirs - You hear about it hours later, if at all - Police and insurers ask what you can show them ### What you get - Every entrance recorded day and night - Playback on your phone within minutes - A visible camera changes how people behave [Hikvision DS-2CD1023G0E-I 2MP Bullet](/products/hikvision-ds-2cd1023g0e-i-2mp-bullet-network-camera-132 "Hikvision DS-2CD1023G0E-I 2MP Bullet Network Camera")[Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome](/products/dahua-hdcvi-2mp-dome-camera-14357 "Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome Camera")[Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 16CH 4K](/products/hikvision-ds-7616ni-q2-16ch-4k-nvr-189 "Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 16CH 4K NVR") [Get my free quote on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%20read%20your%20guide%3A%20CCTV%20Explained%3A%20How%20a%20Complete%20CCTV%20System%20Works.%20I%20want%20CCTV%20sorted.%20Can%20you%20help%3F)Reply usually within 30 minutes. Free site survey in Nairobi and nearby counties. Real products, live prices, in stock now ## Key takeaways - There are five parts: cameras, cabling & power, recorder, storage, and viewing (monitor/phone). - HD (analog) systems use coax cable and a DVR; IP systems use network cable and an NVR. - Storage size decides how many days of footage you keep. - Remote viewing needs internet at the site; recording doesn't. - Backup power and regular maintenance decide whether the system works when it matters. ## The complete system at a glance CCTV system architecture Camerascapture video Camerascapture video Camerascapture video Cabling & powercoax or Cat6/PoE Recorder (DVR / NVR)compresses and records Hard drivesstore days of footage Router & internetfor remote access Monitor & phone applive view and playback Think of it as a chain. Video starts at the camera, travels down a cable, gets recorded and stored, then leaves the site over the internet so you can watch it on a phone. If any link fails, the chain breaks. ## Cameras: where the picture is made The camera's sensor and lens decide what detail is captured. Resolution (2MP, 4MP, 8MP) sets how many pixels there are; the lens decides how wide or narrow the view is; and night performance depends on infrared or full-colour technology. **Dome**: Discreet, harder to tamper with, good indoors and under eaves **Bullet**: Visible deterrent, easy to aim, good for long outdoor views **Turret**: Eyeball design, no dome glare at night **PTZ**: Pan, tilt and zoom to follow activity across a large area See [CCTV camera types explained](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-camera-types-explained-kenya) and [2MP vs 4MP vs 5MP vs 8MP](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-resolution-2mp-4mp-5mp-8mp-kenya). ## Cabling and power: the part people underestimate #### HD CCTV HD camera Coax cable + separate power DVR #### IP CCTV IP camera One Cat6 cable (data + PoE power) PoE switch or NVR HD (analog) systems send video over coaxial cable, with a separate power supply for each camera. IP systems send digital video over network cable, usually with Power over Ethernet (PoE) so one cable carries both power and data. Cable quality and routing affect reliability more than most buyers expect. **Important**: Copper network cable runs are limited to about 100 m. Longer runs need a switch in between, fibre, or a wireless link. ## The recorder and its hard drives A DVR records HD/analog cameras; an NVR records IP cameras. Both compress video (H.264, H.265) and write it continuously to hard drives. The drives decide how many days you can go back. | What decides storage | Why | | --- | --- | | Number of cameras | Each camera adds its own stream | | Resolution & frame rate | More detail and more frames = more data | | Compression (H.264/H.265) | H.265 needs noticeably less space for similar quality | | Recording mode | Continuous vs motion/event recording | | Days to keep | The number most businesses actually care about | Work out your own numbers with the [CCTV storage calculator guide](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-storage-calculator-guide-kenya). ## Viewing: monitor, network and phone RecorderRouterInternetCloud relay (e.g. Hik-Connect)Phone app On site, a monitor connected to the recorder shows live and recorded video with no internet needed. Remote viewing needs the recorder connected to the internet through a router. Hikvision systems commonly use the Hik-Connect app. See [how Hik-Connect mobile viewing works](https://qyvea.co.ke/hik-connect-mobile-viewing-kenya). ## What keeps it working - Backup power (UPS/batteries) so recording continues in outages - Surveillance-rated hard drives - Cameras positioned without glare or blind spots - Recorder in a ventilated, locked cabinet - Scheduled maintenance: lens cleaning, recording checks, firmware **When to call a professional**: If cameras show but footage is missing, if storage fails, or if cables need re-running through walls or roofs, get a technician. Faults in recording often go unnoticed until footage is needed. ## Frequently asked questions Does CCTV need internet to record? No. Cameras record to the recorder on site. Internet is only needed to view the system remotely and to receive phone notifications. How many days of footage does CCTV keep? It depends on the hard drive size, number of cameras, resolution and compression. Many businesses size for 14 to 30 days. Is IP CCTV better than HD CCTV? Not always. IP offers higher resolutions and analytics; HD can be a cost-effective choice where coax cabling already exists. See HD vs IP CCTV. ## Why customers choose Qyvea **Genuine brands**: Manufacturer warranty on what we sell, so you are not gambling on the box. **One team, start to finish**: The people who advise you also install and support it. **Fast answers**: WhatsApp replies usually within 30 minutes, and delivery within 24 hours in Nairobi. **Easy to buy**: Pay by M-Pesa, bank transfer or card. Free delivery in Nairobi on orders over KES 5,000. **Risk taken off you**: 7-day returns and exchanges on products, and a workmanship warranty on installations. **Customers say so**: Rated 4.6/5 from 57 Google reviews. **Your next step takes one minute:** send us a photo of the place on WhatsApp and we will tell you what it needs. ## Related articles [CCTV · Comparison HD CCTV vs IP CCTV A visual side-by-side of both CCTV architectures, and when each one fits. 4 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/hd-cctv-vs-ip-cctv-kenya)[CCTV · Comparison DVR vs NVR What each recorder does, which cameras it takes and how to choose. 3 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/dvr-vs-nvr-kenya)[CCTV · Comparison CCTV Camera Types: Dome vs Bullet vs Turret vs PTZ Dome, bullet, turret, PTZ or fisheye? Where each camera shape works best, and why most sites use a mix. 3 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-camera-types-explained-kenya) ### Related services [CCTV Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv)[CCTV Repair](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-repair-kenya)[Maintenance & Repair](https://qyvea.co.ke/maintenance) ### Related products [CCTV cameras in the shop](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-cameras-kenya)[Best CCTV cameras (buying guide)](https://qyvea.co.ke/best-cctv-camera-kenya)[Hikvision ColorVu camera](https://qyvea.co.ke/hikvision-colorvu-cctv-camera-kenya) ### Related projects [CCTV installation, commercial property](https://qyvea.co.ke/projects#cctv-case-study) [← Previous**CCTV Camera Types: Dome vs Bullet vs Turret vs PTZ**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-camera-types-explained-kenya)[Next →**: CCTV Footage Already Overwritten? How to Keep Recordings Longer**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-footage-overwritten-retention-kenya) ## Need this system installed? Talk to Qyvea. We design, install and maintain it. Chat with us — 30 min response --- **Qyvea Limited** · Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya (delivery only, no walk-in pickup) · serving all 47 counties Phone/WhatsApp: [+254 113 301 244](https://wa.me/254113301244) · Email: info@qyvea.co.ke · Shop: [qyvea.co.ke/products](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) · Facts: [qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts](https://qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts)