For most Canadian homes and small businesses, the best security camera system is wired PoE cameras recording to a local NVR: one cable per camera, recording that continues if the internet drops, and no plan needed to record. WiFi systems fit one to three cameras and rentals. Pixl quotes wired systems free in writing and installs WiFi cameras from $200.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Specs and prices checked October 31, 2026. 7 min read. CAD, before tax.
- Wired PoE or WiFi, side by side
- Two 8-channel kits checked
- Storage days calculated
- Home and small business
- Wired PoE with a local recorder suits most houses with four or more cameras and most small businesses.
- The recorder’s channel count caps the system: an 8-channel kit with four cameras leaves four channels open.
- At an assumed 4 Mbps per camera, a 2 TB drive holds about 11.6 days of continuous video from four cameras and 5.8 days from eight.
- A business adds signs, a privacy policy, power backup and, for several sites, a multi-site quote.
Should you choose a wired PoE system or a WiFi system?
Wired systems send power and video over one network cable per camera to a recorder (NVR) at home. WiFi systems send video over your wireless network. Start with the property. The full trade-off is in wired vs WiFi cameras, and parts and cables are in a PoE system for your house.
| Property | Wired PoE with an NVR | WiFi cameras | Usual fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| House, 4 or more cameras | Steady, records locally, one cable per camera | Signal weakens at far spots | Wired PoE |
| House, 1 to 3 cameras | Possible, but cable work for few cameras | Quicker to place | WiFi or wired |
| Small shop or office | Continuous recording of opening hours | Fine for one or two | Wired PoE |
| Condo or rental | Rarely allowed or practical | Battery or plug-in | WiFi |
| Outdoor-only system for a larger property | Weatherproof PoE bullet cameras | Battery and solar where no power | Wired PoE, mixed where needed |
Want a system planned from photos?
Send photos of the property. A wired system gets a free written quote.
What does a wired kit include?
Two 8-channel kits show what to compare. Pixl is not limited to them and can supply the cameras or install ones you already own. A recorder works with cameras of the same system, so see the NVR buying guide before you mix brands, and Hikvision in Canada before you buy a professional-line brand.
| Spec | Reolink RLK8-810B4-A | Lorex N4K2-84BB-KT1 |
|---|---|---|
| Recorder channels | 8 PoE, 25 W per port | 8, with built-in PoE ports |
| Cameras included | 4 (RLC-810A) | 4 (E841CAB) |
| Camera video | 4K (8 MP) | 4K (8 MP), 105° wide |
| Drive included | 2 TB | 2 TB |
| Room to grow | 12 TB in the specs (its copy says 16 TB) | Up to 8 TB |
| Camera weather rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Camera rated low | -10 °C | -30 °C |
| Night view | 30 m | 40 m in low light, 27 m in darkness |
| Plan to record | Local drive; not stated on the kit page | Lorex states no subscription is required |
How big should the system be?
Count channels first. A recorder with 8 channels takes up to eight cameras, so four cameras leave room to add more later. Then size the drive. The estimate below assumes a continuous bitrate per camera: bitrate depends on resolution, frame rate and compression, so read your camera’s datasheet. For retention rules and the full method, see how long cameras keep footage.
| Cameras | Video per day, all cameras | Continuous recording | Motion-only, 25 % of the day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 cameras at 4 Mbps each | 172.8 GB | 11.6 days | 46.3 days |
| 4 cameras at 8 Mbps each | 345.6 GB | 5.8 days | 23.1 days |
| 8 cameras at 4 Mbps each | 345.6 GB | 5.8 days | 23.1 days |
| 8 cameras at 8 Mbps each | 691.2 GB | 2.9 days | 11.6 days |
What changes for a small business?
The system is the same, and the checklist is longer. For a larger site, read professional CCTV installation.
| Need | What to do | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Record every opening hour | Size the drive for continuous recording | storage calculator |
| Cameras keep working in a power cut | Plan a PoE switch and a battery backup | PoE switch and UPS sizing |
| Staff and customer privacy | Post notice and write a policy | employee privacy rules and camera signs |
| Compare written quotes | Ask each company to list the same items | quote checklist |
| Several locations | Ask for a multi-site quote | business camera systems |
What does Pixl charge for a camera system?
Wired systems have no package price because cable routes and camera counts change every job. Pixl sends a free written quote that lists each camera, the recorder, storage days and the cable route. One or two WiFi cameras start at $200 before tax, and each camera added to a visit is $89. You pay after the job.
| Job | Calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|
| One or two WiFi cameras, own visit | Posted price | From $200 |
| Two WiFi cameras added to a visit you already booked | 2 x $89 | $178 |
| Wired system with a recorder, home or business | Free written quote | No number until quoted |
| Several business sites | Ask for a multi-site quote | No number until quoted |
Get your camera system quoted in writing
Photos are enough to start. You pay after the job.
How does booking work?
- Share the property. Each camera spot, the router and where the recorder would sit.
- Cameras: ours or yours. Pixl can supply the cameras, or install ones you already own.
- Written quote. Free for a wired system, fixed for WiFi.
- Install and handover. One or two installers depending on the job size. Same-day service is available when we have an opening. We set up the recorder, aim the cameras and show you the phone app.
- Pay at the end. Card, e-transfer or cash.
You are comparing wired and WiFi camera systems for a Canadian house or small business and want to size one before asking for a quote.
You need a monitored alarm or access control, which are separate services, or you need new outlets or electrical work, which is an electrician’s job.
Best security camera system: frequently asked questions
What is the best security camera system for a home?
For most houses with four or more cameras, wired PoE cameras with a local NVR. For one to three cameras, renters and condos, WiFi cameras. Compare storage, plan and rated low temperature.
Is a wired or WiFi camera system better?
Wired is steadier and records locally. WiFi is quicker to place. See wired vs WiFi cameras.
What is the best outdoor security camera system?
Weatherproof PoE cameras on a local recorder, with a rated low that covers your coldest nights. See outdoor cameras compared.
How many cameras can an NVR support?
As many as its channels. The two kits we checked have 8 channels and ship with four cameras.
Do security camera systems need a subscription?
Not to record locally. Lorex states its 4K 8-channel kit needs no subscription. Cloud features and some WiFi cameras may need a plan.
Can a camera system work without internet?
Wired PoE cameras record to the recorder without internet. You need internet only to view remotely. See cameras without internet.
Can I add cameras later?
Yes, up to the recorder’s channel count. Check that new cameras work with your recorder.
How much does installation cost?
A wired system is a free written quote. One or two WiFi cameras start at $200 and each camera added to a visit is $89, before tax. You pay after the job.
Ready to plan your camera system?
Photos are enough to start. You pay after the job.
Security camera installation
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Home security cameras compared
Outdoor cameras compared
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Sources and method. Specs were read from the makers’ own pages on October 31, 2026: Reolink RLK8-810B4-A and Lorex 4K 8-channel kit. Plans and specs change, so confirm them before you buy. Calculated: video per day in GB = Mbps x 86,400 s / 8 / 1,000, which is 10.8 GB per day per camera per Mbps; days on a 2 TB (2,000 GB) drive = 2,000 / (10.8 x Mbps x cameras); the motion-only column divides by 0.25. The bitrates of 4 and 8 Mbps are assumptions, not kit specs. 2 x $89 = $178. Models are examples, not a ranking.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.
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