Been installing CCTV systems for homeowners for a while now, and the same mistakes come up over and over. Sharing this in case it saves someone money or a headache:

1. Wifi cameras look cheap on the box, but wired systems win long-term.

Wireless cameras are easy to DIY, but they choke your home network, drain batteries in cold weather, and are the first thing a burglar disables (just jam the signal). A wired PoE (Power over Ethernet) system costs more upfront but has zero lag, no dead batteries, and can't be jammed.

2. Camera placement matters more than camera quality.

A $50 camera aimed correctly beats a $300 camera aimed wrong. Priority zones: front door, driveway/car, back entry, and any blind side of the house that's not visible from the street. Mount at 8-9 ft height, angled down — high enough to avoid tampering, low enough to still get usable face/plate detail.

3. Local storage vs cloud storage is a real decision, not a checkbox.

Cloud storage means a subscription forever and your footage sitting on someone else's server. Local storage (NVR/DVR on-site) means one-time cost and full control, but if someone steals the box, footage is gone unless you also have a cloud backup for critical clips. Best setup: local storage + selective cloud backup for triggered events only.

Happy to answer questions if you're thinking about getting a system installed — this is literally what we do all day at Guardian Camera Pros.