Where Should I Place My Cameras?

We want you to get the most out of your new AvertX surveillance system, and proper placement of your cameras is critical to achieving adequate coverage as well as serving as a deterrent to theft and vandalism around your home or business.

Camera Range and Placement

All security cameras have a maximum effective range that they will be able to provide positive identification of a subject (usually a face or license plate). This range depends on the resolution and lens size of your camera and can be found AvertX’s camera specifications. For more information about camera effective range, see the DIY Guide How Far Can I See With My Cameras?

To maximize the usefulness of your cameras, place cameras within their maximum effective range at choke points and/or transaction points that people are likely to use. Some examples of choke points are doors, gates, hallways, staircases and driveways. Some examples of transaction points are cash registers or front desks. Placing a camera either close to or zoomed in on these places will maximize your chances of getting an image you can use for positive identification of a subject. Remember, most of the time you only need a single high resolution image for identification.  

Placing Cameras at Home

When choosing locations for your cameras, keep in mind that the majority of intrusions occur on the first floor so you’ll want to place your cameras with views of:

• The front door
• The back door
• First floor windows
• Windows that do not face the street – these more “hidden” points of entry are opportunities for intruders to enter unnoticed by observers
• Garage or carport
• Pools and children's play areas
• Other points of entry such as an exterior basement door or gates into the yard

Other structures on your property can look very attractive to intruders as well. When placing your cameras, remember to place them on:

• Detached garages – cover both the main garage door and any side doors
• Storage or garden sheds
• Other outbuildings such as a barn

When placing your cameras near windows and doors, mount the camera above and to the side the door or window frame, facing downward so that it covers both the window/door and a few feet in front.

Placing Cameras at your Business

Before placing cameras in your business, be sure and review the laws in your state regarding video recording in your business.

The best locations for cameras in your business have views of:

• Entry points – front door, back door, side entrances, street level windows
• High target items for theft (electronics, alcohol or tobacco products, sensitive documents, safes, etc)
• Cash Registers and / or POS terminals
• Walkways
• Parking lots
• Any exterior structures that house inventory or other valuable items

Field of View and Focus

Use cameras with zoom lenses in places with a specific target areas, such as trained on a door or window (or a POS terminal in a business). Use cameras with a wider range for yards, parking lots, or large rooms. Make sure that these cameras are placed in such a way as to avoid obstruction of view due to trees or other tall structures.

Additional Considerations:

• Place your cameras under eaves other shelter to help protect them from rain, snow, and dust.
• Mount them as high up as you can to achieve the desired view so that they can’t easily be reached or tampered with.
• For outdoor cameras, use silicone caulk to seal the base to provide additional protection against the elements.
• Use the privacy mask features of the AvertX software to block cameras from recording things you wish to exclude from surveillance.