Choosing the Right CCTV & Surveillance System for Your Brisbane Property

1. Clarify Your Security Goals

Before you compare camera specs or prices, list the exact problems you need to solve—today and five years from now.

• Surveillance only? Record, review, and store evidence.

• Active deterrence? Pair cameras with a dedicated perimeter alarm (see our post on why sirens beat built‑in deterrents).

• Compliance or OH&S? Factor in privacy zones, data‑retention rules, and audit trails.

• Multi-site requirements?

Creating separate wish‑lists for surveillance and alarm functions keeps your budget realistic and prevents feature overlap.

2. Put User Experience First

A brilliant camera is useless if you can’t find footage quickly. When evaluating VMS software, ask:

• Search speed – Can you jump to motion events in seconds?

• Ease of use – Is the interface intuitive for non‑tech staff?

• Remote management – Can you add users, revoke access, or adjust recording times without a site visit?

• Privacy control – Does the installer still have access to camera live view after hand‑over? They shouldn’t.

For homes and small businesses, AJAX offers a clean, app‑centric dashboard. For larger sites, Hanwha Wave delivers lightning‑fast playback—even with thousands of hours of footage.

3. Dodge the Vendor Lock‑In Trap

Some camera brands lure you in with cheap bundles, then sting you later with per‑channel licences or licences to scale. Choose platforms that support ONVIF Profile M or publish a robust API. This guarantees you can:

• Mix best‑of‑breed cameras as new tech emerges.

• Add extra sites without ballooning licence fees.

• Integrate camera analytics with access control, building management, or smart‑home systems down the track.

4. Judge Camera Analytics Realistically

AI analytics are powerful—but only when they run on the right software stack. If you plan to stream cameras into third‑party VMS or automation platforms, confirm that:

• Analytic metadata passes through ONVIF/RTSP without being stripped.

• The VMS can act on analytic events (e.g., trigger lights, lock doors).

• License Plate Recognition (LPR) databases can sync across sites.

Otherwise, you may end up paying for analytics you can’t use.

5. Match the Platform to the Project Size

• Homes & Small Businesses

  • Recommended: AJAX

  • Why: Human/vehicle detection, instant push alerts, seamless alarm integration, and an intuitive mobile app.

• Commercial, Multi‑Site Retail, Education, or Aged‑Care Facilities

  • Recommended: Hanwha Wave

  • Why: AI search by vehicle colour, gender, or bag detection; rapid export tools; heat‑mapping; and cost‑effective licensing.

• Enterprise & Government

  • Recommended: OpenEye OE‑Cloud or Milestone XProtect

  • Why: Active Directory integration, Single Sign‑On (SSO), true cloud storage, powerful REST API, and extensive third‑party integrations.

6. Remember: Software Drives Everyday Satisfaction

Hardware defines potential; firmware and VMS determine reality. Low Cost NVR based solutions often ship with buggy updates, limited mobile apps, and zero long‑term support. Investing in reputable software (AJAX, Hanwha, OpenEye, Milestone) ensures:

• Predictable updates and cyber‑security patches.

• Continuous feature improvements without forklift upgrades.

• Lower total cost of ownership thanks to fewer call‑backs.