CCTV Camera Upgrade in Leicester
Your recorder and cabling might be perfectly fine - but the cameras themselves have had it. Degraded IR, poor night footage, low resolution, or units that have simply stopped working. We replace the cameras that need it, match them to your existing infrastructure, and make sure the new ones actually perform after dark.
By the Doberman install team · CCTV system designers & installers, Leicester · Last reviewed February 2026
By the Doberman install team
CCTV system designers & installers, Leicester
Last reviewed February 2026
What you get
Camera-by-camera assessment
We test every camera individually - image quality, IR performance, lens condition, and housing integrity. You get a clear picture of what needs replacing and what doesn't.
New cameras matched to your system
Replacement cameras specified to work with your existing NVR or DVR and cabling. No unnecessary recorder swaps or re-cabling.
Additional camera positions
If your existing coverage has gaps - from extensions, new fencing, or blind spots you've noticed - we can add cameras to your current system during the upgrade.
Night commissioning
Every replacement camera is verified after dark. IR range, exposure, and image quality are confirmed in actual night conditions - not just during the daytime install.
How it works
Test
On-site testing of every camera on your system. We check image quality in day and low light, IR function, housing condition, and cable integrity at each position.
Specify
Replacement cameras chosen to match your recorder and cabling - resolution, protocol, focal length, and IR range selected for each position individually.
Replace
Old cameras swapped out, new units installed and configured on your existing system. Night commissioned and handed over with everything verified.
When do CCTV cameras need replacing?
CCTV cameras are outdoor electronics exposed to Leicester weather year-round. Even well-built units degrade over time. The most common failure we see is IR LED degradation - the infrared LEDs that illuminate the scene at night lose power gradually, so night footage gets progressively worse without an obvious point of failure. Homeowners in Stoneygate, Oadby, and Wigston often tell us they assumed their night footage had always been that poor. It had not - the cameras have simply degraded.
Other common problems include condensation inside the housing (the seal has failed), a lens that has become hazy or scratched, image sensors that produce excessive noise in low light, and cameras that have physically stopped working after a power surge or lightning strike. If your recorder is showing a clear image from some cameras but not others, the cameras themselves are almost certainly the problem - not the recorder or cabling.
Resolution is the other big reason to upgrade cameras. If your existing cameras are producing 1MP or 2MP footage, you are working with technology from a decade ago. Modern 4MP and 8MP cameras produce footage where you can identify faces, read vehicle registration plates, and see detail at distances that older cameras simply cannot match. Our CCTV specs cheat sheet explains what specs matter and why.
Matching new cameras to your existing system
A camera upgrade does not always mean replacing your entire CCTV system. If your NVR or DVR is functioning well, has sufficient storage and channel capacity, and runs current firmware, new cameras can often be paired with it directly. The key is compatibility - the replacement cameras need to match your recorder's protocol, resolution support, and connection type. We check all of this during the assessment so there are no surprises on installation day.
For IP systems running on PoE, matching is straightforward. Most modern NVRs support ONVIF protocol, which means cameras from different manufacturers can work together. We still prefer to match brands where possible for the cleanest integration, but the flexibility is there. For older analogue systems on coaxial cable, camera options are more limited - and if your DVR only supports up to 2MP, there is no point fitting higher-resolution cameras. In those cases, a full analogue-to-IP upgrade may be the better investment.
We also assess whether your current camera positions still make sense. Properties change - extensions get built, fences go up, trees grow. A camera position that provided good coverage five years ago might now have a blind spot. If we are already replacing cameras, adjusting a mounting position costs very little extra and can make a significant difference to your coverage.
Upgrading from fixed to varifocal cameras
Fixed-lens cameras have a set field of view - typically around 2.8mm for wide-angle or 4mm for a narrower view. They work well when the coverage area is straightforward, but they are inflexible. If your property layout has changed, or the original installer chose the wrong focal length, you are stuck with footage that either misses what matters or shows too wide an area with insufficient detail.
Varifocal cameras solve this by allowing the focal length to be adjusted - typically between 2.8mm and 12mm. This means a single camera can be tuned to cover a wide driveway, a narrow side passage, or a specific area like a gate or entrance. We set the focal length during installation and fine-tune it during night commissioning. It is a relatively small cost increase over fixed-lens cameras but gives far more flexibility, especially on properties in areas like Clarendon Park and Knighton where driveways, rear gardens, and side returns vary significantly in shape and distance.
If you are replacing cameras anyway, moving from fixed to varifocal at key positions is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make. Combined with the resolution jump from older cameras to modern 4MP or 8MP units, the difference in usable footage is substantial. For a full overview of upgrade options, see our CCTV upgrade options.
Pricing
Camera upgrade cost depends on how many units need replacing, the resolution and type of camera specified, and whether any new cable runs or mounting positions are needed. If your recorder and cabling are sound, a camera-only upgrade is typically the most cost-effective way to transform your system. We provide a fixed quote after the on-site assessment.
Why Doberman
Camera-level diagnosis
We test each camera individually rather than recommending a blanket replacement. If three out of four cameras are fine, we replace the one that isn't.
Matched to your infrastructure
Replacement cameras are specified to work with your existing recorder and cabling. No unnecessary hardware swaps.
Night commissioning included
Every replacement camera is tested after dark. IR range, exposure, and image quality verified in real night conditions.
Honest about when cameras aren't the problem
If your recorder or cabling is the real issue, we will tell you - and recommend the right fix rather than replacing cameras that don't need it.
About Doberman
Doberman is a Leicester-based CCTV installation company. We design, install, and upgrade hardwired PoE camera systems for homes and businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire. Every assessment and installation is carried out by our own team - we don't subcontract and we don't use sales reps.
Camera replacements are a regular part of our work. We carry stock of the most common camera types and can usually complete a straightforward swap within a few days of the assessment. Whether it is a single failed camera or a full set that has degraded over time, we diagnose the problem properly before recommending a fix.
If you are unsure whether your cameras are the issue or something else in your system is at fault, our CCTV upgrade assessment is a good starting point for understanding what might need attention.
Areas we cover
We cover Leicester city and the surrounding areas including Oadby, Wigston, Braunstone, Glenfield, Groby, Hamilton, Thorpe Astley, Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, Market Harborough, Hinckley, Coalville, Loughborough, Melton Mowbray, and everywhere in between.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I replace just one or two cameras instead of all of them?
- Yes. We test each camera individually during the assessment. If only one or two cameras have failed or degraded, we replace those and leave the rest. There is no need to swap cameras that are still performing well.
- Will new cameras work with my existing NVR or DVR?
- In most cases, yes - provided the recorder supports the resolution and protocol of the new cameras. We verify compatibility during the assessment. If your recorder is too old or limited to support worthwhile replacement cameras, we will let you know and discuss options.
- How do I know if my cameras have degraded?
- The most common signs are poor night footage (IR LEDs fading), hazy or blurry daytime images (lens or sensor degradation), condensation inside the housing, or cameras that intermittently drop out. If you compare current footage to what the system produced when it was new, the difference is usually obvious.
- Can I add extra cameras to my existing system at the same time?
- Yes, provided your recorder has spare channels available. If your NVR has eight channels and only four are in use, we can add up to four more cameras during the upgrade. If your recorder is full, we can discuss a recorder upgrade alongside the camera work.
- What is the difference between fixed and varifocal cameras?
- Fixed cameras have a set field of view that cannot be changed after installation. Varifocal cameras can be adjusted between a wide and narrow angle - typically 2.8mm to 12mm - giving more flexibility to cover different areas. Varifocal is particularly useful for driveways, side passages, and any position where the ideal field of view is not a standard wide angle.
- How long does a camera upgrade take?
- A straightforward camera swap - replacing units at existing positions with no new cable runs - typically takes half a day for up to four cameras. If new positions or additional cabling are involved, allow a full day. We confirm the timeline in your proposal.