Installing security cameras at home is one of the most effective ways to deter break-ins, monitor your property, and get evidence if something does happen. But choosing the right cameras, placing them correctly, and getting them connected to your Wi-Fi and phone can be confusing.
This guide covers everything you need to know — camera types, placement, wired versus wireless systems, Wi-Fi setup, recording options, and what to expect from a professional installation in Adelaide.
Need security cameras installed?
Geeks at Door can help with camera placement, mounting, Wi-Fi connection, app setup, and NVR configuration — in your home, at a time that suits you.
Choosing the right camera type depends on where you need coverage, whether you can run cables, and how reliable you need the connection to be.
| Type | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Wi-Fi camera | Easy to install, no cable runs, flexible placement | Depends on Wi-Fi signal, needs power socket or battery | Renters, quick installs, small setups |
| Wired CCTV (coaxial) | Reliable, no Wi-Fi dependency, long cable runs | Cable installation required, older technology | Large properties, long-established systems |
| PoE (Power over Ethernet) | Single cable for power and data, very reliable, high quality | Requires network cable runs and PoE switch or NVR | Permanent installs, multi-camera systems |
| Battery wireless camera | No cables, no power socket needed | Battery must be recharged or replaced, may miss events if flat | Remote spots, sheds, rental properties |
| 4G/LTE camera (SIM card) | No home internet or Wi-Fi needed | Data costs, slower upload, SIM plan required | Farm gates, sheds, remote properties |
Good camera placement covers all entry points and provides enough detail to identify a person or vehicle. Aim for cameras at 2.5–3 metres height on eaves or walls where they are visible but difficult to reach.
| Location | Priority | What it covers | Camera type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front door | High | Face of visitor, packages, approach path | Doorbell or fixed camera |
| Driveway | High | Vehicles entering and exiting | Fixed or PTZ camera |
| Back door / rear entry | High | Rear approach and back yard | Fixed camera |
| Side gates | Medium | Access between front and back yard | Fixed camera |
| Garage | Medium | Vehicles and storage areas | Fixed camera |
| Backyard | Medium | Pool area, outdoor storage, large yard | Wide-angle camera |
| Indoor entry | Optional | Inside front or back door | Indoor camera |
Avoid pointing cameras directly at neighbouring properties, windows, or public footpaths. Position cameras to cover your property boundary rather than recording beyond it.
The right choice depends on your property type, budget, and whether you can run cables through walls or along eaves.
Wired systems are the most reliable. PoE cameras use a single network cable for both power and video, connected to a PoE switch or NVR. Traditional CCTV uses coaxial cable. Wired cameras do not drop out due to Wi-Fi issues and are harder to disable remotely.
Installation requires running cables through walls, ceilings, or along the roof cavity — usually a job for a professional or someone comfortable with basic home cabling.
Wireless cameras connect to your home Wi-Fi. They still need a power cable (or battery), but do not need a video cable run. Easy to install and reposition. Performance depends on Wi-Fi signal strength at the camera location.
Common brands include Reolink, Arlo, Ring, Eufy, and Hikvision. Most connect to a companion app for live view, playback, and motion alerts.
Most home security cameras connect to your home Wi-Fi on the 2.4GHz band, not 5GHz. This is because 2.4GHz travels further and passes through walls better — important for outdoor cameras on the perimeter of your home.
Common problems during camera Wi-Fi setup include:
For a detailed guide on 2.4GHz vs 5GHz bands and how to separate them on your modem, see our post on Wi-Fi security camera setup: 2.4GHz vs 5GHz.
If your cameras drop offline after a modem change or new internet plan, our Wi-Fi troubleshooting service in Adelaide can help get everything reconnected.
If you want continuous recording that does not depend on the cloud or an internet subscription, a local recording system is the answer.
Used with PoE or IP cameras. The NVR records video from multiple cameras over a network connection. PoE NVRs have built-in ports so cameras plug directly into the NVR — one cable per camera. Footage is stored on a hard drive inside the NVR. Typical systems store 7–30 days of footage depending on the drive size and number of cameras.
Used with traditional analogue CCTV cameras connected via coaxial cable. DVRs are older technology but still widely used. Modern HD-over-coax (HDCVI, HDTVI) systems can deliver high-resolution video over existing coax cable.
Wireless cameras often record to a microSD card inside the camera or upload to the cloud. SD cards have limited storage and can fail. Cloud storage usually requires a monthly subscription but gives you remote access to footage from anywhere.
Most modern security cameras — whether Reolink, Hikvision, Arlo, Ring, Eufy, or Dahua — come with a companion app for iOS and Android. The app lets you:
Tip: Make sure your phone is connected to the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network during camera setup — not 5GHz. Many cameras only support 2.4GHz and the setup will fail if your phone is on a different band.
You are generally allowed to install security cameras on your own property in Australia. The key rules to be aware of:
For most residential setups — front door, driveway, back yard — there are no permit requirements. If you are unsure, the Australian Privacy Foundation and your state's ombudsman website have more information.
Whether you have cameras you cannot get connected or you are starting from scratch, our technicians can come to your home and help.
We can help with:
We cover Adelaide and surrounding suburbs. For internet and Wi-Fi issues affecting your cameras, see our Wi-Fi troubleshooting service in Adelaide.
Need security cameras installed?
Geeks at Door can help with camera placement, mounting, Wi-Fi setup, app configuration, and NVR recording — in your home, at a time that suits you.
Pricing starts from
$160
Final pricing depends on the task and is confirmed in advance.
Most Australian homes use 4 to 8 cameras for full coverage. A basic setup covers the front door, driveway, back door, and backyard. Larger properties or corner blocks may need additional cameras for side gates and blind spots. Start with the highest-risk entry points and add more if needed.
Some cameras can record locally without internet using an SD card, NVR, or DVR. However, without internet you lose remote viewing from your phone, motion alerts, cloud backup, and app access. Wired NVR and DVR systems are the most reliable for local recording without internet dependency.
Wired cameras (CCTV or PoE) connect via cable and are more reliable, with no battery or Wi-Fi dependency. Wireless cameras connect over Wi-Fi and are easier to install, but depend on a stable Wi-Fi signal and may need battery charging. Wired systems are better for permanent installations; wireless suits renters or smaller setups.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) cameras receive both power and data through a single network cable. They do not need a separate power socket near the camera. PoE cameras connect to a PoE switch or NVR, which also records the footage. They are a popular choice for reliable, permanent home security systems.
Priority locations are: front door, driveway or street view, back door or rear entry, side gates, and the garage. Indoor cameras are optional but useful for monitoring entry points from inside. Camera placement should avoid pointing directly at neighbours' properties or public footpaths where possible.
Outdoor cameras covering entry points and the perimeter give the best deterrence and evidence value. Indoor cameras can cover the inside of front and back doors, living areas, or a home office. Most Australians prioritise outdoor cameras first.
In Australia, you can install security cameras on your own property. However, cameras should not be positioned to directly and continuously monitor neighbours' private spaces. Rules vary by state — if you are in a strata or apartment building, check your body corporate rules before installing cameras in common areas.
Yes. Geeks at Door can help with camera placement advice, mounting cameras on walls or eaves, connecting cameras to your home Wi-Fi or NVR, setting up the recording app on your phone, and troubleshooting cameras that keep going offline.