Ten Common CCTV Mistakes
And More Importantly - How to Avoid Them
Why Cutting Corners Can Leave You Exposed - Especially in Cornwall’s Coastal Climate
If you’ve ever watched pixelated CCTV footage and thought, “What am I even looking at?” - You Are Not Alone.
At Jemcom CCTV, we’ve spent decades repairing, replacing and upgrading systems that were once sold as “good enough.” - Sadly, they weren’t.
From the salt-laden sea air of Newquay, Falmouth, Plymouth and Padstow to the rain-swept farmlands around Launceston and Bodmin, Cornwall’s weather is unforgiving - and so are the results of poor-quality or neglected CCTV systems.
Here are the 10 Most Common Mistakes we see (and how to make sure you never fall into the same trap).
1️⃣ Choosing a Cheap DIY System from the Internet
It’s tempting. A few hundred pounds online, a box delivered next day and a promise of “HD quality.” But the reality?
Most of these kits feature low-grade sensors, plastic housings and poor weather sealing - meaning they’re simply not built for Cornwall’s coastal climate. Salt air corrodes connectors, lenses mist up and within a year you’re left with cameras producing footage that wouldn’t help identify a car, let alone a person.
✅ The Jemcom Fix: We only supply Professional-Grade PREMIUM Serage and HikVision cameras, tested for durability, clarity and longevity - with full manufacturer support and local aftercare.
2️⃣ Not Taking Out a Maintenance Plan
You wouldn’t buy a car and never service it - yet some people treat CCTV systems that way.
Cameras are exposed 24 Hours a Day - 7 Days a Week to wind, rain, UV light and insects.
Without an Annual Maintenance Plan, small faults - like lens dirt or a failing hard drive - go unnoticed until it’s too late.
✅ The Jemcom Fix: Our Gold, Silver and Bronze Maintenance Packages ensure your system is regularly checked, tested and cleaned. From full parts and labour cover to quick fault diagnosis, we keep your security running perfectly all year round.
3️⃣ Using Indoor Cameras Outdoors
We see this mistake far too often - an indoor camera fitted to an external wall.
It may look and work fine at first, but one Cornish storm later and it’s game over. These cameras aren’t sealed for moisture or salt air and once that gets inside, corrosion destroys them.
✅ The Jemcom Fix: Always use IP-rated outdoor cameras (preferably IP67 or higher). Our Serage Range is designed to withstand the worst of Cornwall’s weather - from the Atlantic spray to the relentless wind and winter rain.
4️⃣ Poor Positioning and Field of View
Many systems are installed by people guessing where cameras should go.
The result? Blurred or partial coverage, blind spots and wasted footage. The wrong angle or height can mean you miss vital details - like number plates or faces.
✅ The Jemcom Fix: Every Jemcom installation includes a professional site survey. We design coverage layouts based on real-world conditions, not guesswork. Every corner, gate and entry point is accounted for.
5️⃣ Not Allowing for Night Vision or Lighting
It’s amazing how many people forget about what happens after dark.
Without sufficient Infrared or SMART lighting your cameras might as well be off at night.
Worse still, poor-quality IR sensors create glare or “white-out,” leaving footage useless.
✅ The Jemcom Fix: We use 8MP Serage Smart IR cameras and AI-assisted night vision for crystal-clear images 24/7 - no harsh glare, just detail.
6️⃣ Ignoring the Recorder and Storage Quality
Cheap DVRs and NVRs often have low bitrate recording or use generic hard drives not designed for continuous use.
These drives fail, corrupt footage or simply stop recording when you need them most.
✅ The Jemcom Fix: All our recorders use professional surveillance-grade hard drives built for 24/7 operation - with smart monitoring alerts and remote viewing options.
7️⃣ No Remote Monitoring or Notifications
If you can’t see your cameras remotely - you’re missing half the benefit of a CCTV system.
Many DIY systems claim “mobile access,” but suffer from lag, poor security or compatibility issues.
We also offer an added level of encryption which sets us apart from every other “wannabe security expert” out there – if desired, you can have your own secure website set up purely for your CCTV System.
✅ The Jemcom Fix: Jemcom installs secure, encrypted app-based monitoring — giving you live footage, playback and instant alerts on your phone or tablet.
8️⃣ Overlooking Data Protection Responsibilities
It’s not just about technology - it’s about compliance.
Businesses that use CCTV must follow GDPR and ICO Guidelines, including clear signage, access control and footage retention rules.
✅ The Jemcom Fix: We provide advice on CCTV signage, data storage durations and access permissions, ensuring your setup remains legally compliant.
9️⃣ Not Upgrading Older Analogue Systems
Old analogue cameras with fuzzy monochrome footage are a liability.
Modern AI-assisted HD and IP systems offer facial recognition, line-crossing alerts and colour images even at night.
Holding onto an outdated system means you’re missing out on tools that can prevent incidents, not just record them.
✅ The Jemcom Fix: Our Hybrid Serage & HikVision Systems let you upgrade using existing coaxial cable infra-structure to Full HD or 4K Quality - saving money and disruption while transforming your image quality.
🔟 Waiting Until It Breaks
The most expensive call-out is always the one that could have been avoided.
Faulty power supplies, blown fuses or corroded connectors are all preventable - if they’re caught early.
✅ The Jemcom Fix: Regular checks, smart maintenance and early intervention. Our engineers carry spare parts, test equipment and replacement hardware - ensuring you’re back up and running before problems escalate.
Final Thoughts - You Buy Cheap : You Buy Twice
Your CCTV is there to protect your business, your staff and your livelihood.
Cutting corners on equipment or skipping maintenance might save a little now but it can cost a lot more when you need the footage that isn’t there.
At Jemcom CCTV, we’ve been building, maintaining, and upgrading CCTV systems across Cornwall, Devon and beyond for over 30 years - We’ve seen every mistake and we’ve fixed them all.
Choose Quality. Choose Reliability. Choose Jemcom.
Because when it comes to security:-
“What is Technology Without Imagination?”
