To install security cameras at home, start by checking what areas need coverage, then choose the right cameras, run the cabling neatly, connect everything to the recorder, and set up the phone app. For this install, Matthew Keig from Jim’s Antennas Yarraville used three cameras, including active deterrent cameras, a 180-degree dual-lens camera, a standard 6 Meg camera, conduit, brackets, a yellow tongue, a brush plate, cable cover, and a four-channel recorder. This guide breaks down the security camera installation process shown by Jim’s Antennas so you can understand what a proper CCTV setup involves.
Watch Matthew install and set up security cameras above, or keep reading for the step-by-step breakdown.
What Tools And Equipment Do You Need To Install Security Cameras?
For this type of home or small business security camera installation, Matthew uses a mix of cameras, cabling tools, mounting hardware, and recorder equipment.
The main equipment includes:
- Active deterrent security cameras
- Dual lens 180-degree active deterrent camera
- Standard 6 Meg camera
- Four-channel recorder
- NVR, or network video recorder
- HDMI cable
- TV or monitor
- Mouse
- Network cable
- DC power supply
- Phone app access using QR codes
- Conduit
- Camera brackets
- 90-degree junction
- L-shaped 90-degree standoff bracket
- Standard round junction boxes
- Brush plate
- Cable protection cover
- Yellow tongue or cable feeder
- Drill suitable for brickwork
- Hard drive storage inside the recorder
- Optional uninterruptible power supply
For related help, Jim’s Antennas also provides professional security camera installation and TV wall-mounting services, which often involve similar planning around cabling, wall access, and neat finishing.
How Do You Install Security Cameras Step By Step?
Step 1: Work Out What The Cameras Need To Achieve
The first step is not drilling holes or choosing camera models. It is working out what the customer wants the cameras to do.
Matthew explains that he normally walks through what the customer wants to achieve from their security camera installation. That includes checking entry points, blind spots, dark areas, front yards, garages, driveways, laneways, and any part of the property where movement needs to be monitored.
This matters because a camera system should be designed around the property, not guessed from a product box.
Step 2: Check The Property For Blind Spots
After the goal is clear, walk around the home or business and look for weak points.
Some properties have L-shaped areas, garages, porch entries, protruding walls, or detached roof sections that create dead spots. A camera placed in the wrong position may give a clear picture of one area but miss the area that actually matters.
Matthew checks where each camera can get the best coverage before deciding on the final camera positions.
Step 3: Choose The Right Camera For Each Area
Different areas need different cameras.
For entry points, Matthew uses active deterrent cameras. These can flash lights, play a voice prompt, or trigger a siren when someone enters an intrusion zone.
For wide frontage areas, he uses a dual-lens camera with a 180-degree view. The two lenses face out at a 45-degree angle and stitch the image together, which can help cover a front yard, nature strip, driveway, street, or laneway.
For general coverage, he uses a standard 6 Meg camera. Matthew says these are budget-friendly, still clear, and often adequate for most installs.
Step 4: Decide Whether You Need Colour Night Vision
Night vision depends on the area being covered.
Some cameras use backlighting or backup lighting so they can stay colour at night if there is not enough ambient light. These can also act like a sensor light when movement is detected.
Other cameras use IR infrared night vision, which gives a black and white image at night. Matthew explains that a colour image is not always necessary because a clear black and white image is normally enough for most installs.
The right choice depends on the customer’s needs, lighting, and budget.
Step 5: Plan The Recorder Size
The recorder needs enough channels for the number of cameras.
For this job, Matthew uses a four-channel recorder for three cameras. He also explains that 8-channel and 16-channel recorders are available, depending on whether the job is domestic or commercial.
Most domestic homes do not usually have more than 8 cameras, so four or eight-channel recorders are common for home installs.
Step 6: Plan The Cable Route Before Drilling
Good camera placement still needs a practical cable path.
On this job, Matthew checks the roof space, eaves, brickwork, conduit, wall cavity, and detached roof section before deciding how to run the cable. He changes the original plan because one section would have made the conduit look rough.
That is a key part of a professional installation. The camera needs to work properly, but the finish also needs to look tidy.
Step 7: Use Brackets And Junction Boxes Where Needed
If the camera is mounted on a brick, concrete, or a wall where the cable cannot be hidden, Matthew uses brackets and junction boxes.
He mentions a 90-degree junction and an L-shaped 90-degree standoff bracket. These help mount the camera correctly, conceal the cabling, keep water out, and make sure the system works as it should.
This step is especially important where the cable cannot run neatly inside the wall cavity.
Step 8: Drill Through Brickwork
Once the cable path is confirmed, Matthew drills through the brickwork.
As he says during the job: “I’ve got to get my big drill out to drill through this brickwork.”
This is where DIY can become risky. Drilling through brick, working around roof spaces, and avoiding damage to existing structures takes care and experience.
Step 9: Feed The Camera Cables Through The Wall
For this install, Matthew is working with a stud wall against a double brick wall. Because it is an old shopfront, there is no good wall cavity to bring the cables down.
He cuts a hole, exposes the cavity and brickwork behind it, then uses yellow tongue as a cable feeder. The yellow tongue is taped to the camera cables from the top and pulled down through the wall.
The result is three security camera cables pulled through successfully.
Step 10: Fit A Brush Plate And Cable Cover
Once the cables are through, Matthew fits a brush plate.
A brush plate is a wall plate with bristles that allows cables to pass through neatly. Instead of leaving three loose cables coming out of the wall, he also uses a cable protection cover to keep the visible section tidy.
This creates a cleaner finish near the recorder.
Step 11: Plug The Cameras Into The Recorder
Next, the cameras are plugged into the back of the four-channel recorder.
Matthew plugs the three cameras into ports one through three. He can label or name each camera on the screen once he knows which camera is which.
The recorder also has a network port, HDMI output, mouse connection, USB ports, and a power connection.
Step 12: Connect The Screen, Mouse, Internet, And Power
The HDMI output connects to a TV or monitor, so the camera feeds can be viewed.
The mouse is plugged in so Matthew can navigate the recorder screen and configure the system. The network cable connects the system to the internet, which allows the phone app to work.
The power connects through a DC jack. Once powered up, the recorder starts booting, and the network lights blink, which shows the internet connection is active.
Step 13: Set Up The Phone App And Alerts
Once the recorder is connected to the network, the cameras can be linked to the phone app using QR codes.
The app allows the user to view the cameras remotely, receive movement alerts, speak through supported two-way audio cameras, and set alert areas or times.
The cameras can also use AI smarts to detect human and vehicle movement only. That helps reduce false alerts from leaves, wind, or things blowing around.
Step 14: Consider Backup Power
Matthew also mentions an uninterruptible power supply.
This is an add-on that keeps cameras recording if the power goes out. It is worth considering if the customer wants extra protection during outages, especially for extended periods away from home.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Installing Security Cameras?
Do not choose cameras before checking the property layout. Camera type and placement should match the actual coverage needed.
Do not ignore blind spots. L-shaped buildings, garages, porch areas, and protruding sections can all create missed areas.
Do not assume every camera needs colour night vision. A clear black-and-white image may be enough for many installs.
Do not leave exposed cabling where it can look messy or be affected by the weather. Use conduit, brackets, junction boxes, brush plates, and cable covers where needed.
Do not forget about storage. Most installs may get about two weeks of continuous recording, but longer recording may require a hard drive upgrade or motion-only recording.
Do not ignore power backup. If recording during an outage matters, ask about an uninterruptible power supply.
When Should You Call A Professional Security Camera Installer?
Call a professional if the job involves drilling through brickwork, running cables through roof spaces, working around double brick walls, setting up multiple cameras, or configuring recorder and app settings.
A professional security camera installer can assess coverage, choose the right cameras, avoid blind spots, hide or protect cables properly, and set up alerts so the system works the way it should.
For help with security cameras, CCTV, TV wall mounting, antenna installation, or related cabling work, contact Jim’s Antennas through Jim’s Antennas security camera installation, Jim’s Antennas TV wall mounting, or Jim’s Antennas digital TV antenna installation.
Call 131 546 or visit Jim’s Antennas to book a free on-site quote.
Security Camera Installation FAQs
It depends on the property layout. Matthew says most domestic homes do not usually have more than 8 cameras, and many installs use four or eight-channel recorders.
An active deterrent camera can flash lights, play a voice prompt, or trigger a siren when someone enters a set detection area. It helps warn people that cameras are watching and recording.
Not always. Colour night vision can help in dark areas, but Matthew explains that a clear black and white image is normally enough for many installs.
A 180-degree dual-lens camera is useful for wide areas such as front yards, driveways, streets, nature strips, and laneways. It can cover a larger area from one central position.
Matthew says most installs normally get about two weeks of continuous recording. Longer recording can be achieved with larger hard drives or motion-only recording.
Yes. IP cameras can connect through the internet and phone app, allowing remote viewing, alerts, and in some cases, two-way audio.
An NVR is a network video recorder. It connects to the cameras, stores the footage, sends camera feeds to a screen, and helps manage app access and alerts.
Should I Install Security Cameras Myself?
Simple plug-in cameras may suit some situations, but a wired multi-camera CCTV system is usually best handled by a professional, especially when drilling, cabling, brackets, recorder setup, and app configuration are involved.
Learn more about joining Jim’s Group at jims.net or call 131 546 today.