Security Camera System With Monitor: Do You Need One?

On this page (10 sections)

1. Do you need a monitor for a security camera system at all?
2. When a monitor helps
3. When a phone app is enough
4. Monitor kits and what they include
5. Monitors on wired DVR and NVR kits
6. Space, power and placement
7. Privacy and where to point a monitor
8. Monitor or no monitor: how to decide
9. Setting up a monitor with a recorder
10. Which setup to choose

No, a security camera system with a monitor is optional, because most kits don't need one to work. Most kits record to a card or drive and show the live view in a phone app.

A monitor is an extra way to see the cameras, and it helps in a few specific setups.

This page explains when a monitor is worth the space, when a phone app is enough, and what to check on a kit that includes one.

Do you need a monitor for a security camera system at all?

You don't need one. The cameras record whether or not a screen is attached, so the footage is safe either way.

The question is about how you want to watch. A phone works for alerts and a quick look, while a monitor suits a steady view from one spot in the house.

When a monitor helps

A monitor helps when you check the cameras often from one room. A kitchen counter or a home office desk is a common spot, since you can glance at the entry without picking up a phone.

It also helps when several cameras need to show at once. A monitor can split the screen into a grid, which a phone screen often can't match.

Some households want a view that doesn't depend on the phone's battery or the app. A monitor on the recorder keeps the live feed running as long as the recorder has power.

When a phone app is enough

A phone app is enough for most homes. It sends motion alerts, shows the live view and plays back clips from the recorder or base unit.

If you're away from home most of the day, the app matters more than a monitor. A monitor only helps when you're in the house.

Monitor kits and what they include

Some kits ship with a monitor built in. The CasaCam Pro pairs a 10.1-inch monitor with two 2K cameras, and CasaCam says the local recording works with no monthly fee.

Everything in the set needs power, so each camera needs an outlet nearby.

The CasaCam Air is a smaller set with a 7-inch touchscreen monitor. It supports up to four cameras and shows them in single, split or quad view, but the two cameras in the box record at 720p, so detail is limited.

The OOSSXX system adds a 10-inch IPS monitor to a recorder that holds a 1TB drive. Four cameras come in the box, each with a 10-foot power cable, and OOSSXX says the recorder supports up to 10 wireless cameras.

Monitors on wired DVR and NVR kits

Many wired recorders have an HDMI or VGA output. You can connect a TV or a computer monitor to that output and show the live view on a bigger screen.

Check the output type before you buy. Some recorders offer HDMI only, and others offer both HDMI and VGA.

Our best wired security camera system list shows the outputs for each kit we picked.

Space, power and placement

A monitor needs a power outlet and a spot on a counter, a shelf or a desk. A 10-inch monitor takes more room than a phone, so measure the spot before you buy.

Keep the monitor away from direct sun and heat. A bright window can wash out the picture, and heat can shorten the life of the electronics.

Privacy and where to point a monitor

Place the monitor where people in the house can see the screen, but guests at the door can't. A monitor that faces a window can show the room to passersby at night.

Limit who can use the monitor and the recorder. Keep the recorder's password private, and give phone app access only to people you trust.

Monitor or no monitor: how to decide

Choose no monitor if you mainly check alerts on your phone. Choose a monitor if you want a steady view from one room, or if you want several cameras on one screen.

If you're weighing a wired kit, a DVR with an HDMI output is a good middle path. You get a TV view when you want it, and the recorder keeps working the rest of the time.

Security camera system with monitor: what to check

Check the monitor size and whether it's built in or sold separately. Confirm the number of cameras the monitor supports and whether the cameras are wired or wireless.

Check how the recorder stores video and how long it keeps footage. A monitor shows the live view, but the storage decides how far back you can review.

Setting up a monitor with a recorder

Connect the monitor to the recorder with the output cable the kit includes, then set the display to single or split view. Many recorders show a grid by default, so change it if you want one camera large on the screen.

Set the recorder's date and time before you rely on the footage. A wrong clock makes it hard to find a clip later.

Which setup to choose

For most homes, a phone app and a recorder with local storage is enough. A kit with a monitor works well for a home office, a workshop or a family room where one spot gets watched most.

Read types of security camera systems to see which kit type fits your home. For a related question, see can a security camera system work without internet and the no-subscription pillar guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do security cameras need a monitor to work?

No, the cameras record to a card, base unit or drive, and you can watch on a phone or computer. A monitor is an extra way to see the live view.

Can I connect a security camera system to a TV?

Many DVR and NVR kits have an HDMI or VGA output, so you can show the live view on a TV. Check the recorder's outputs before you buy, since they differ by kit.

Is a monitor a good idea for a home office?

It can be. A monitor on a desk shows the entry or the driveway without a phone, but it takes up space and needs power.