Is PoE more reliable than wireless cameras for South African businesses with load shedding?

Yes. PoE (802.3af/at) delivers power and data over Cat5e/Cat6 with consistent bandwidth; pair with a UPS or PoE switch with battery backup to survive load shedding, unlike Wi‑Fi which suffers during outages and interference.

Will an IP camera like Hikvision DS-2CD2385G1‑IU work with my ONVIF NVR?

Yes. DS-2CD2385G1‑IU supports ONVIF Profile S; most modern NVRs (Dahua, Reolink, Uniview) accept ONVIF cameras for live view and recording, but confirm firmware compatibility and codec support (H.265/H.264).

How much hard drive storage for continuous 1080p@15fps recording for 30 days?

The number is approximately 2.5–3 TB per 1080p camera at 15fps using H.265; use this baseline and add 20–30% for motion peaks or multi‑streaming on an NVR in South African environments.

Are 4K (8MP) cameras worth the extra cost over 1080p for retail CCTV?

Yes. 4K (3840×2160) like 8MP sensors provide clearer facial and license detail at long distances, but require more bandwidth (≈3–8 Mbps per stream) and larger storage; balance resolution with frame rate and retention policy.

Can I run PoE cameras over existing Cat5 cable in an office?

Yes. Cat5 supports PoE/PoE+ for typical runs under 100 metres; for PoE++ or long runs, upgrade to Cat6 and use midspan injectors or PoE switches to maintain stable power and Gigabit data.

Do wireless cameras like Reolink RLC‑520A perform well outdoors in Cape Town weather?

No. Consumer Wi‑Fi models suffer from interference and weather; choose IP67‑rated outdoor units with external antennas, H.265, and dual‑band Wi‑Fi, or prefer PoE for consistent performance in coastal climates.

How many channels do I need on an NVR for a 12‑camera small business setup?

The number is 16 channels. Use a 16‑channel NVR to allow future expansion; select an NVR with H.265 support, 1–2 SATA bays (6–12 TB each), and PoE switching or separate PoE switch if required.

Can I use cloud storage for CCTV in South Africa to avoid on‑site servers?

Yes. Cloud storage options exist, but expect recurring fees and higher upload bandwidth; combine local NVR retention with selective cloud backup for critical clips to mitigate local internet outages and data costs.

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