A common question before buying a CCTV system is whether it needs internet or WiFi to work. The short answer: a wired CCTV system keeps recording without internet, but you need internet to watch your cameras remotely on your phone. This guide explains the difference and what to plan for.
Recording does not need internet
In a standard wired system, cameras connect by cable to a recorder (an NVR for IP cameras, or a DVR/XVR for analogue cameras). The recorder saves footage to its own hard drive. None of this depends on the internet, so if your connection goes down, the cameras keep recording as normal.
You can also watch live and recorded footage on a monitor or TV connected directly to the recorder, without any internet at all.
What does need internet?
- Viewing your cameras on your phone when you are away from home
- Motion alerts and notifications sent to your phone
- Remote playback of recorded footage from anywhere
- Cloud backup, if your system uses it
When the internet comes back, remote viewing starts working again. The footage recorded during the outage is still saved on the recorder.
Does CCTV need WiFi?
A wired system does not need WiFi. IP cameras connect to the recorder with network cable, often using PoE (Power over Ethernet), which carries power and video in a single cable. The recorder then connects to your internet router with one cable for remote viewing.
WiFi cameras are different. They send video over your wireless network, so a weak or busy WiFi signal can cause dropped video and gaps in recordings. Many WiFi cameras record to a memory card or the cloud, and some need the internet for most features. For reliable 24/7 recording, a wired system is usually the better choice.
What happens during a power cut?
Without power, cameras and the recorder stop, whether or not you have internet. To keep recording during power cuts, connect the recorder, the PoE switch, and the internet router to a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). A UPS keeps the system running for a short time and protects it from sudden power loss, which can damage hard drives.
Will a CCTV system use a lot of mobile data?
Recording uses no internet data. Data is only used when you watch cameras remotely. Most mobile apps let you choose a lower-quality stream for phone viewing, which uses much less data than the full-quality recording.
What if there is no fixed broadband at the site?
For sites without a fixed internet line, such as a construction site, a warehouse, or a holiday home, a 4G router can connect the recorder to the internet for remote viewing and alerts. The system records locally as usual, and the 4G connection is only used when you view cameras or receive alerts. Choosing a lower-quality stream for phone viewing keeps mobile data use low, and a data package with enough monthly allowance avoids interruptions.
The best setup for most homes and businesses
- Wired cameras connected to an NVR with enough hard drive storage
- A UPS for the recorder, switch, and router
- An internet connection for remote viewing and alerts, with the mobile app set up on your phone
This way your system keeps recording even when the internet is down, and you can still check your cameras from anywhere when it is up.
Need help setting it up?
Our CCTV installation service includes connecting your recorder to the internet and setting up the mobile app, so you can watch your cameras from anywhere. If you are planning a new system, read how to plan CCTV coverage and placement, or contact us for a free site survey.