Reddit User Asks Why Security Cameras Still Film at Low Quality When 4K Equipment Is Becoming Cheaper
Discover the reasons why we still have low-quality footage despite having advanced video technologies.
Security cameras are supposed to capture the truth, but the footage often looks like it was recorded through a foggy window. That mismatch is exactly what sparked a Reddit discussion about why businesses still rely on low-quality CCTV when sharper 4K equipment is getting cheaper.
The question came from MilesyART, who asked why so many cameras still produce grainy, blurry video even though better technology is widely available. Redditors jumped in with a mix of practical explanations, business realities, and a few blunt observations about what companies actually care about.
The answers were less about image quality and more about cost, storage, and whether anyone really wants to pay for the upgrade. Read on.
In a world full of digital cameras, it's surprising that CCTVs still produce low-quality footage.
RedditThe Reason Behind the Question
RedditThe quick answer is that high-quality footage requires substantial storage.
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That was the first big catch in the thread.
A Redditor with a Follow-Up Question
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The Average Space a 4K Video Requires
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There Will Always Be a Compromise.
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If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It.
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It's Not Necessarily a Good Business Decision Due to the Costs Involved.
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The Reason Why Businesses Won't Bother.
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An Insider Reveals the Truth: Customers Won't Pay for the Upgrade.
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That part hit a little too close to home for a lot of readers.
It’s like confronting your coworker over stealing office snacks, except the tension goes digital.
Sad but True.
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It Makes You Wonder What the Purpose of CCTVs Is in Different Establishments.
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The Size of the Location Matters. In Other Words, Larger Locations Can't Handle High-Quality Footage, While Smaller Ones Can.
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But This Redditor Disagrees with the Statement Above.
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Imagine the File Size of 24-Hour Footage in High Quality.
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Businesses Consider It a Deterrent.
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A Summary of the Reasons in Numbered Points.
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The thread kept circling back to the same practical problem.
Businesses Need a Good Reason to Upgrade. Without It, It's Just a Waste of Money.
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The Cons Far Outweigh the Pros.
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Other Businesses Use It for Insurance Purposes.
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Without Proof from the CCTV, Businesses Can't Claim Their Insurance.
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Businesses Won't Bother Upgrading Even If Their Equipment Is Already Obsolete.
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A Quick Answer
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The Storage Space Required for 24-Hour 4K Footage.
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You also have to remember that the functions of video cameras and phones differ from those of security cameras.
Think about it. We don't really need to see the facial expressions of the people captured on CCTV footage.
Seeing the actions of the criminal is the main purpose of a CCTV camera. In contrast, we require the details captured by smartphones and other photo and video devices.
The mere presence of a security camera is often enough to deter robbers from pursuing their malicious deeds. Generally speaking, these cameras offer numerous features that serve the user's purpose.
And that was enough to explain why the footage stays blurry.
Want proof cameras can solve crimes, check out how Google Maps helped crack mysteries.
