Doberman

Closed Circuit Television Installation in Leicester

Closed circuit television is the formal, older name for what most people now just call CCTV. The "closed circuit" part is literal: cameras run on a private, self-contained loop feeding a recorder that only the property owner can reach, rather than being broadcast or pushed off to a third party. A modern closed-circuit television system in Leicester is more than cameras bolted to a wall - it is hardwired PoE cameras over Cat6 cable, a local NVR you own recording on the premises, and the monitoring app layered on top for remote viewing. A proper setup starts with a site survey, runs cleanly through the building, and gets commissioned after dark so every camera actually performs at the times that matter. Doberman designs and installs CCTV systems across Leicester that work without subscriptions, without cloud dependency, and without the signal drops that plague wireless setups.

By the Doberman install team

CCTV system designers & installers, Leicester

Last reviewed May 2026

What you get

  • Site survey and system design

    We walk your property, map every approach route, check cable paths, and design camera positions around your actual layout - not a generic template.

  • System design and specification

    Camera types, lens selection, NVR sizing, and recording schedules are specified to match the site - distance, lighting, and coverage area all factor in.

  • Professional cabling

    Cat6 cable routed through lofts, risers, and cavities. Clean runs, proper termination, and no cables clipped across brickwork.

  • Commissioning and handover

    Every camera is tested after dark, recording is verified, app access is configured, and the system is handed over with a full walkthrough.

How it works

1

Survey and design

We visit the site, assess every approach and coverage zone, check cable routing options, then produce a system design with camera positions and a fixed-price quote.

2

Cable and install

Cat6 cabling is routed cleanly through available voids. Cameras are mounted, terminated, and connected to the NVR. Typical installs complete in a day.

3

Commission and hand over

We return after dark to verify night performance on every camera, configure remote access, and walk you through playback and day-to-day operation.

CCTV, closed-circuit television, same thing

CCTV is just the abbreviation. The full name is closed-circuit television, and it describes exactly what the system is: a closed loop of cameras feeding a recorder that only the property owner can reach. Footage is not broadcast, it is not pushed to a cloud server by default, and it is not accessible to anyone outside the circuit unless you choose to grant access. That is the whole point of the format, and it is why "CCTV" still gets used decades after the technology shifted from analogue tape to digital IP video. What sits behind the name has changed - modern systems use IP cameras over Ethernet, recording to an NVR - but the closed-circuit principle is the same. If you want a quick primer on the camera side of the kit we install, the CCTV cameras we use page covers our standard models.

What sets a professional CCTV system apart

The difference between a CCTV system that works and one that just looks like it works comes down to the infrastructure behind it. A professional installation uses hardwired PoE cameras - each one connected by a single Cat6 cable that carries power and video data simultaneously. There is no reliance on Wi-Fi signal strength, no batteries to swap out in January, and no cloud subscription siphoning footage off-site. The recorder sits on the premises, writing continuously to its own hard drive. If the broadband drops, recording continues without interruption. These are not premium extras - they are baseline requirements for a system you can actually depend on. For a deeper look at what separates PoE from wireless setups, our guide on PoE vs Wi-Fi CCTV breaks it down in practical terms.

CCTV site survey and system design

Every installation starts with a site survey. We walk the property, identify every approach route - front, sides, rear, shared access - and check the physical cable routing options before recommending a single camera. The system design follows directly from what we find on site: camera positions are chosen based on actual distances and sightlines, lens types are matched to the field of view required, and the NVR is sized to the recording schedule you need. This is where most of the value sits - a well-designed system with three cameras will outperform a badly planned one with six. Our CCTV site survey covers the full process from initial walkthrough to final specification.

CCTV cabling and infrastructure

Cabling is the part of a CCTV installation most people never think about, but it determines whether the system lasts five years or fifteen. We run Cat6 cable through loft spaces, wall cavities, trunking, and existing conduit - keeping everything hidden and protected. Every cable is terminated properly at both ends, tested for continuity, and labelled. There are no joins inside cavities, no cables stapled across external brickwork, and no corners cut to save an hour of labour. On older Leicester properties - Victorian terraces, inter-war semis - routing can be the most technically demanding part of the job, and it is where experience matters most. Full details of how we approach this are on our CCTV cabling installation.

Remote viewing and app access

Once the system is physically installed, we configure remote access so you can view live feeds and play back recorded footage from your phone. This runs through a secure connection between the NVR and the manufacturer app - your footage stays on the recorder, and the app simply gives you a window into it. We set up notifications for motion events, configure detection zones so you are not getting alerts every time a cat crosses the garden, and test the connection from outside the property to confirm it works reliably. Remote viewing is useful, but it is not a substitute for local recording - it is an access layer on top of it. Our CCTV remote viewing setup covers the full configuration process.

System commissioning

Commissioning is the final stage and the one that separates a professional CCTV installation from a DIY job. We test every camera after dark - checking IR range, exposure, focus, and detection zones under real night-time conditions. If a camera is washing out from a security light or underperforming at the far end of a driveway, we adjust it on the spot rather than leaving you to discover the problem weeks later when you actually need the footage. We verify recording is continuous, confirm playback works, and walk you through daily operation before signing off. The full scope of this stage is detailed on our CCTV commissioning process.

CCTV installation across Leicester and Leicestershire

Doberman installs closed circuit television systems across Leicester and the surrounding towns and villages. Whether the job is a three-camera residential setup in Clarendon Park or a multi-camera commercial system in an industrial unit, every installation follows the same process: survey, design, cable, commission. We work on Victorian terraces, new-builds, retail units, offices, and warehouses - each with its own cable routing challenges and coverage requirements.

Coverage runs south through Wigston, Oadby, Blaby, and out to closed-circuit television installations in Whetstone - a village where the mix of older centre properties, suburban estates, and newer fringe builds means no two jobs look the same. The pattern repeats across the county: every property gets a survey, every cable run is planned around the building, and every camera is checked after dark before we sign off. For residential jobs specifically, our home CCTV installation page covers what to expect, and the full list of towns and villages we cover is on the areas we cover page.

Pricing

CCTV installation cost depends on camera count, property type, cable routing complexity, and recorder specification. We provide a fixed quote after the site survey - no hourly rates, no surprises on install day. Hardware and labour are quoted separately so you can see exactly what you are paying for.

Why Doberman

  • Hardwired PoE only

    Every system runs on Cat6 Ethernet. No Wi-Fi cameras, no battery units, no signal-dependent recording. One cable per camera - power and data.

  • Local recording, no subscriptions

    Footage stays on an NVR at your premises. No cloud uploads, no monthly fees, no third-party access to your video.

  • Night commissioning as standard

    We test every camera after dark before signing off. Most installers skip this step - it is where footage quality is won or lost.

  • Leicester-based, no subcontractors

    Our own team carries out every installation. We know Leicester properties - the cable routes, the building types, the access challenges.

About Doberman

Doberman is a Leicester-based CCTV installation company. We design, install, and support hardwired PoE camera systems for homes and businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire. Every installation is carried out by our own team - we do not subcontract.

We focus on one thing: wired CCTV that works. No alarm upsells, no smart home bundles, no maintenance contracts you did not ask for. Clean installations, reliable hardware, properly commissioned after dark, and handed over so you actually know how to use the system.

If you want to understand how we work before getting in touch, our CCTV guides cover camera placement, system specs, regulations, and what drives installation costs in Leicester.

Areas we cover

We install across Leicester city and the surrounding areas, including Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, Oadby, Wigston, Braunstone, Hamilton, Thorpe Astley, Glenfield, Groby, Ratby, Birstall, Syston, Thurmaston, Blaby, Narborough, Enderby, Whetstone, Countesthorpe, Loughborough, Hinckley, Market Harborough, Coalville, Melton Mowbray, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Lutterworth, Kibworth, and Fleckney.

Frequently asked questions

What is closed-circuit television (CCTV)?
Closed-circuit television is a camera system that runs on a private, self-contained loop - footage is recorded and viewed only within your own system, never broadcast publicly. CCTV is simply the abbreviation. The "closed circuit" describes how it works: cameras connect to a recorder over their own dedicated cabling, and the footage stays on the premises unless you choose to share it. A modern closed-circuit television system uses hardwired PoE cameras over Cat6 cable, a local NVR that records on site, and the monitoring app for remote viewing. We install these for both homes and businesses across Leicester.
Is CCTV the same as closed-circuit television?
Yes - they are the same thing. CCTV is just the abbreviation of closed-circuit television. The full phrase is the formal name, used mostly in technical specifications, regulations, and older documentation, while "CCTV" is what installers, retailers, and customers say day to day. A quote for a closed-circuit television installation is the same as a quote for a CCTV installation - same cameras, same recorder, same job.
What does a closed-circuit television system include?
A complete closed-circuit television system includes the cameras, the cabling that connects them, a recorder, and the app for viewing footage. In a modern setup that means hardwired PoE cameras - each connected by a single Cat6 cable carrying power and video - feeding a local NVR that records continuously to its own hard drive on the premises. Remote viewing through the monitoring app sits on top as an option. The specification is set during a site survey, where camera count, positions, lens types, and recorder storage are matched to the property rather than picked from a generic package.
How much does a CCTV system cost in Leicester?
CCTV system cost in Leicester depends on the number of cameras, the property type, how complex the cable routing is, and the recorder specification - a small home system and a multi-camera commercial install sit at very different price points. We do not publish a flat figure because every property is different. Instead we provide a fixed-price quote after a site survey, with hardware and labour shown separately so you can see exactly what you are paying for. No hourly rates and no surprises on install day.
Are modern CCTV systems still "closed-circuit"?
Yes, if they are set up properly. A wired PoE system with a local NVR is genuinely closed-circuit - the cameras connect to the recorder over their own cabling, and footage stays on the premises. Cloud-only or Wi-Fi camera systems are a different model: they push video off-site by default, which is the opposite of the closed-circuit principle. Every system Doberman installs is local-first, with remote viewing layered on top as an option rather than a requirement.
Do you install closed-circuit television for homes and businesses?
Yes - both. We install closed-circuit television systems for homes across Leicester, from three-camera terraces to larger detached properties, and for businesses including retail units, offices, and warehouses. The process is the same either way - survey, design, cable, commission - but the camera mix, coverage zones, and recorder sizing differ. Commercial premises usually need more cameras and longer footage retention, both of which we scope during the survey.
What is the difference between CCTV and IP cameras?
Traditional analogue CCTV sends video over coaxial cable to a DVR. Modern IP cameras send digital video over Ethernet to an NVR, delivering higher resolution and more flexible configuration. All Doberman systems use IP cameras on PoE - it is the current professional standard and what we recommend for every new installation.
How long does CCTV footage stay recorded?
That depends on the NVR hard drive size, camera count, and resolution settings. A typical four-camera system recording at 4K on a 4TB drive holds around 14 days of continuous footage. We size the drive during system design to match your retention requirements - most residential clients want 14 to 30 days.
Do CCTV cameras work at night?
Yes. The cameras we install use infrared LEDs that activate automatically in low light, providing clear black-and-white footage in complete darkness. Some models also offer full-colour night vision using a larger sensor. We verify night performance on every camera during commissioning - it is the entire point of testing after dark.
Do I need internet for CCTV to work?
No. The cameras connect directly to the NVR over Ethernet cable - they do not use your Wi-Fi or broadband. Recording runs 24/7 regardless of internet status. You only need internet for remote viewing on your phone. If the broadband drops, the system keeps recording normally.
Are there legal requirements for CCTV?
Domestic CCTV that captures areas beyond your property boundary is subject to data protection law. You should display signage, avoid capturing excessive footage of public areas, and handle any subject access requests properly. For business premises, requirements are stricter. Our guide to CCTV regulations covers what applies in practice.
How many cameras do I need?
That depends entirely on the property. A mid-terrace home might need three cameras. A detached house with a wraparound garden might need five or six. Commercial premises vary even more. We determine camera count during the site survey based on approach routes, coverage zones, and blind spots - not a formula.

Ready to get started?

We visit, map the blind spots, and quote one fixed price on the spot.