May 22, 2025

What to Look for in a Camera and NVR Setup for MDUs

Installing a surveillance system in a multi-dwelling unit (MDU) is about more than just running cable and hanging cameras. You need a system that’s reliable, remotely accessible, and easy for property management to use.

Here are 5 things we always recommend:

  1. Remote Viewing Support
    Choose NVRs that support mobile apps and cloud access — with proper port forwarding and security.

  2. Storage Redundancy
    Consider NVRs with redundant drive bays (RAID) or set up automatic cloud backup for key footage.

  3. Smart Alerts and Motion Zones
    Avoid drowning the client in unnecessary notifications. We help set up zones and rules to keep alerts meaningful.

  4. DDNS for Remote Access
    Static IPs are rare — we configure Dynamic DNS so managers can access the system from anywhere, even if the IP changes.

  5. User Training
    Even the best system fails if the client doesn’t know how to use it. We offer clear, remote walk-throughs and cheat sheets to keep support calls to a minimum.

Working with a tech partner during or after install ensures these pieces don’t get missed.