Why Installing CCTV is Essential for Modern Home Security

CCTV installation is one of the most effective ways to protect your home, giving you crystal-clear visibility of what’s happening around your property and acting as a strong deterrent to intruders. With professional-grade cameras, colour night vision in low-light conditions, and instant app alerts, CCTV now plays a key role in modern home security.

Key facts – CCTV for homes across the Midlands

• Typical installation time: around half a day

• App access: EZ View for live viewing and playback

• Works alongside HKC home alarms (separate app control)

• Ideal for driveways, gardens and entrances

• Installed by MAS’s in-house engineers (never subcontractors)

Why is CCTV important for home security?

CCTV gives you something no other security product can: a constant set of eyes on the areas that matter most. Whether you're at work, away on holiday, or simply upstairs putting the kids to bed, you can open the EZ View app and check in instantly.

It’s not just about watching footage - it’s about deterring intruders, capturing clear evidence if something does happen, and giving your family day-to-day reassurance.

A visible CCTV camera makes most opportunists move on, and in the rare event of an incident, having reliable footage helps with insurance claims and police reports.

Which CCTV features matter most when choosing a system?

Before picking a camera, it helps to understand the features that make the biggest difference at home.

• Resolution:

  The clearer the image, the better.

  Most homeowners now choose Full HD or 4K cameras so faces and number plates are readable, especially across driveways or larger gardens. MAS installs 4K (8MP) Uniview cameras as standard on most residential systems.

  
  

• Night Vision:

  A huge portion of suspicious activity happens after dark.

  Cameras can record automatically when movement is detected, helping you quickly pinpoint important events without scrolling through hours of footage.

  
  

• Motion Detection:

  Our CCTV systems use AI-powered human and vehicle detection. This means the system can tell the difference between people, vehicles, and general movement — significantly reducing false alerts from pets, trees, or passing headlights.  This feature is particularly useful in areas like back gardens, where you only want recordings when someone is present.

  
  

•  App integration:

  With the EZ View app, you can:

  • Watch live footage

  • Review recordings

  • Receive detection alerts

  • Check in from anywhere

  This gives you complete control at your fingertips.

What types of CCTV cameras are best for home use?

Different cameras suit different areas around the home.

Dome (Turret) Cameras:

• Great indoors and for outdoor areas.

• They offer a wide viewing angle and are harder for intruders to predict because you can’t easily see where they’re pointing.

• Most MAS installs use turret-style dome cameras from the Uniview LightHunter and Tri-Guard ranges.

Bullet Cameras:

• Most used on driveways, side paths and back gardens.

• They’re highly visible - ideal for deterring intruders from even approaching.

• MAS primarily installs turret-style cameras, but bullet-style cameras can be used in specific situations where visibility is required.

PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) Cameras:

• These cameras move, zoom and cover very large spaces.

• Best for big gardens, long driveways, or properties with multiple access points.

Professional Wired IP Cameras:

• MAS installs hard-wired IP CCTV systems, which are far more reliable than battery or Wi-Fi-only cameras. Wired systems offer better image quality, consistent recording, and long-term reliability without battery changes or signal dropouts.

How much does home CCTV cost in the UK?

One of the first things people ask us is, “How much does CCTV actually cost?” The truth is, prices vary depending on the number of cameras, your property layout, and the level of detail you want in your footage - but here’s a simple breakdown to help you plan.

Typical CCTV installation costs (Midlands homes)

These are general price ranges based on recent installs by MAS - we will always give a fixed quote after a free home survey tailored to your home and requirements.

System Type	Typical Price Range	Best For
Single-camera setup	£800-1150	Smaller homes or flats needing coverage at one main point (front door or driveway).
Two-camera setup (most popular)	£1100-1600	Covering the front door/driveway and the rear garden — the two highest-priority entry points.
Three to four cameras (full perimeter coverage)	£1,500-2800+	Larger homes needing full external coverage and fewer blind spots around the whole property.

What affects the cost of your CCTV installation?

1. Camera type

• The type of camera you choose is one of the biggest factors in the overall cost of a CCTV system, as different cameras offer different levels of image quality, night performance, and built-in features.

• For most MAS installations, this means choosing between LightHunter cameras, designed for areas with some ambient lighting, or Tri-Guard cameras, which include an active deterrent light and enhanced night-time features and are typically more expensive than standard models.

  
  

2. Recorder size (storage)

• The size of the recorder (NVR) affects how much footage can be stored. Larger homes or families who want to keep recordings for longer periods may benefit from a higher-capacity NVR.

3. Number of cameras

• The total number of cameras installed will also influence the overall cost. A single camera may be enough to cover a front door or driveway, while larger homes often benefit from multiple cameras to cover key entry points and reduce blind spots around the property.

What’s included when MAS installs your CCTV?

Unlike some companies, we don’t charge extra for small essentials. A typical MAS install includes:

• All cameras professionally fitted

• Full EZ View app setup on your phone/tablet

• Recorder installed and configured

• Training on how to use your system

• 1-year installation warranty

• Support from our in-house team (never subcontractors)

  
  

You pay for the equipment and installation - and that’s it. There are no contracts, no hidden fees, and no call-centre monitoring charges.

Why we don’t give “off-the-shelf” CCTV prices on our website

Every home is different. One driveway might need a single camera…Another might need a wide-angle lens, extra lighting, or high-resolution zoom.

That’s why Mick, our security consultant and retired policeman, carries out free surveys and gives personalised advice. You’ll always get a price that matches your home - not a generic package. But rest assured, you can trust the MAS team to offer advice on what you need - no unnecessary upsells!

How should you customise CCTV for your home?

Every property is different, and the camera setup should reflect that.

Lighting conditions

• Dark areas: Tri-Guard cameras, which use infrared and activate a visible deterrent light on detection.

  
  

• Areas with ambient lighting: 

  LightHunter cameras for clearer colour footage.

  
  

Good lighting + CCTV = powerful deterrent.

Weather resistance

• Outdoor cameras need to withstand British rain, frost and wind.

• All systems MAS installs are designed for year-round outdoor use.

Coverage priorities

• Front door & driveway

Your main entry point - use a high-resolution camera to see faces, packages, and vehicles.

• Side gates & walkways

These often go overlooked but are popular access routes for intruders.

• Rear garden

A wide-angle camera works well here, especially when paired with motion-activated lighting.

What CCTV mistakes should homeowners avoid?

Installing CCTV is only effective when the setup is right. Common issues include:

• Blind spots

  Placing a camera too high or too far to one side can leave key areas unprotected. MAS surveys ensure every angle is covered.

  
  

• Wrong camera type

  Indoor-only cameras used outside will fail quickly.

  Outdoor cameras need proper weatherproofing and durable housing.

  
  

• Low-quality equipment

  Cheap systems often suffer from poor night images and unreliable connections - not ideal when you need clear, dependable footage.

Where should CCTV cameras be placed for the best results?

This is one of the most common questions we’re asked - and the answer depends on your home layout.

Here are MAS’s recommended hotspots:

• Front door & porch — ideal for visitor identification

• Driveway — captures vehicles and movement

• Rear garden — often the most vulnerable point

• Side gates & alleyways — frequently used as access routes

• Inside the home (optional) — particularly near valuables or entry points

  
  

When MAS installs your system, Mick — our security consultant and retired policeman — carries out a free survey to identify weak spots and recommend the right cameras for each zone. At MAS, we typically focus on external coverage, with internal cameras only installed when specifically requested.

How does CCTV work alongside a home alarm system?

Although CCTV and HKC alarms use separate apps (EZ View and SecureComm), they complement each other extremely well.

For example:

• If your HKC alarm triggers, you’ll get an instant notification via the SecureComm app

• You can then open EZ View immediately to see what’s happening

• This helps reduce false alarms and gives you clear evidence if something is wrong

  
  

It’s the partnership of smart detection + visual confirmation that homeowners love.

What features do MAS CCTV systems include?

MAS supplies and installs professional-grade Uniview cameras - chosen for reliability and clarity.

Key features include:

High-definition video

Clear images that capture detail when you need it most.

Outstanding night vision

Advanced infrared or colour night vision for crisp images in low light.

Motion alerts - AI human and vehicle detection via the Uniview NVR

Only records what matters — saving time and storage.

Wide-angle lenses

Fewer blind spots and greater coverage outdoors.

Weatherproof housing

Built to handle rain, frost, wind and heat.

EZ View app access

Check your cameras anytime, anywhere.

And because every home is unique, we tailor the system to your layout and your needs - never a one-size-fits-all solution.

Is CCTV worth it for homeowners?

In our experience - absolutely.

Customers regularly tell us they instantly feel more in control, especially after seeing how clear their footage is. Whether it’s watching over a new car on the drive, checking in while away, or just keeping an eye on the back garden - CCTV gives peace of mind day and night.

Get your CCTV system professionally installed by MAS

If you’d like tailored advice, we’re happy to pop round for a free home security survey.

With nearly 40 years of installing alarms and CCTV across the Midlands, you’ll get honest recommendations, no pushy sales, and a setup that genuinely protects your home.

Book your free CCTV quote today - let’s make your home feel safer.

FAQs – CCTV Installation

How do you install CCTV?

Our engineer will position cameras to maximise coverage, run the required cabling neatly, connect everything to your recorder, and set up the EZ View app on your phone or tablet. We’ll ensure you understand how everything works before we leave.

Can I view my cameras from my phone?

Yes - the EZ View app lets you watch live footage, receive alerts, and review recordings from anywhere.

What are the benefits of CCTV for home security?

CCTV deters intruders, provides clear evidence if something happens, and gives you real-time visibility over your home.

What is real-time surveillance?

It means being able to view your cameras as events unfold rather than after the fact - ideal for responding quickly if needed.

Is CCTV better than other security options?

It’s most effective when paired with a home alarm. CCTV shows what happened, while your alarm alerts you instantly if a break-in is attempted.

Why are alarms and CCTV together so popular?

Because you get instant alerts from your alarm and live visuals from your CCTV. It’s the perfect combination of action + evidence.