DIGIBAL ONLINE Editorial｜Last updated 2026-10-26｜Hardware prices from our live product database; SGD converted at 1 HKD = 0.1630 SGD (2026-10-25)
- S$1,269｜8-camera hardware basket (HK$9,190)
- S$1,010｜4-camera basket using the same 8-channel NVR (HK$6,194)
- 3.9 days｜2TB retention with 8 cameras at 6 Mbps
- S$5,000｜maximum fine for unauthorised fixtures on common property
- 1–2 weeks｜typical Town Council approval turnaround
| 1 HK$ = | S$ SGD | A$ AUD | £ GBP | US$ USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reference rate | S$0.16332 | A$0.18128 | £0.09565 | US$0.12748 |
What does an 8-camera CCTV system cost?
Hardware is 100% of what you pay us; installation is a separate contract with a licence holder. The split matters because most quotes you receive online bundle the two and hide the labour line.
Reolink P330
Reolink POE SWITCH 120WThree common variations:
CX810Hardware prices were taken from our product database on 2026-10-26 and converted at 1 HKD = 0.1630 SGD (mid-market, 2026-10-25). SGD figures are indicative: the checkout price on the Singapore storefront applies. Excludes shipping, cabling, brackets, conduit and labor.
How many cameras does a shop actually need?
Count exposure points, not floor area. Four to six cameras cover about 90% of the risk in a typical shop.
A 300 sq ft unit needs 4. An 800 sq ft shop floor needs 6. A 1,500 sq ft unit with a stockroom needs 8–10. Do not start at 16 channels unless expansion is already planned — an 8-channel NVR with spare ports is far cheaper than replacing the unit.
PoE, wireless battery, or 4G — which fits a Singapore shophouse?
Leased unit with a short term and no drilling rights: 4G or battery. Owned unit needing 24/7 recording: PoE.
Conservation shophouses add a constraint that does not exist in most markets: high ceilings make wireless replacement trips awkward, and heritage rules restrict where you can drill. Check the URA conservation guidelines for your building before ordering anything.
How many days will 2TB hold?
2TB, eight 8MP cameras, H.265 at 6 Mbps: about 3.9 days.
Formula: days = disk GB × 8,000 ÷ (bitrate Mbps × 3,600 × 24) ÷ cameras
Most Singapore shops need 14–30 days of retention because disputes surface weeks later — an insurance claim, a staff incident, a chargeback. Buy 8TB or more, or drop the aisle cameras to 4 Mbps and keep the cashier and entrance at a higher bitrate.
Do I need approval before installing?
Inside your own unit you generally do not. Anything on common property does. The rules depend on the property type:
This is a working summary, not legal advice. Confirm with your Town Council, MCST or a lawyer before you buy hardware for a common-property location — the approval can change the whole design.
Does PDPA apply to shop CCTV?
Yes, if your shop is an organisation capturing identifiable individuals. Three duties matter in practice:
- Notice. Put up a sign at the entrance stating the purpose, the identity of the organisation operating the cameras, and a contact for privacy enquiries. A picture of a camera alone is not enough.
- Consent. For premises open to the public, consent is generally not required for publicly observable data, but notice is still good practice. For restricted premises — offices with card access, staff-only back rooms — notices and consent obligations are stricter.
- Retention and access. Keep footage no longer than the purpose requires, write the retention period into your policy, and have a process for access requests — including masking other individuals in the footage.
The Act itself is at sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/PDPA2012; the regulator is the Personal Data Protection Commission.
Who is allowed to install it?
In Singapore, CCTV installation is a licensable security service. Under the Private Security Industry Act, a person providing installation services must hold a Security Service Provider licence. Ask for the licence before paying a deposit — and check that the person on site is covered by it, not just the company that answered the phone.
We sell hardware and configuration advice only. We do not install, and we do not take a cut from any installer — which is why you can put our bill of materials in front of three licence holders and compare labour on equal terms.
Related guides
- Approvals before you drill: HDB shops, shophouses and MCST units — permit steps, timelines and the S$5,000 fine
- PDPA and shop CCTV: notice wording, retention and access requests — what your sign must say
- How to check your CCTV installer's licence — the five questions to ask before a deposit
- Hong Kong version of this guide — same hardware, Hong Kong privacy and building rules
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget in total, including installation?
Can I install it myself?
Do the cameras need internet?
Will 8MP look better at night?
What happens during a power cut?
Sources and method
- Hardware prices: DIGIBAL ONLINE product API, read 2026-10-26, active products only.
- Currency: 1 HKD = 0.1630 SGD, mid-market rate on 2026-10-25; SGD figures rounded to the nearest dollar and indicative only.
- Storage: 1 GB = 8,000 Mbit, H.265 at 4–8 Mbps. Real retention varies ±30% with motion, frame rate and smart codec.
- Singapore rules: SingaporeLegalAdvice summary of HDB, Town Council, PDPA and PSIA requirements; PDPA 2012; PDPC.
Shop this build (prices in SGD)
All six items below are the exact hardware used in the cost table above. Prices show in SGD on the Singapore storefront; every unit is Hong Kong official stock with 1-year warranty, and SG orders over S$40 ship free.
- Reolink NVS8-NHD 8-channel PoE NVR · 2TB built-in
- Reolink P330 8MP PoE camera
- Reolink CX810 8MP PoE camera
- Reolink PoE switch 120W
- Reolink NVS16 16-channel NVR · 4TB
- EZVIZ EP4 4K wireless peephole doorbell
Start with the 8-channel NVR plus four P330 cameras if you only need the counter and the entrance — add the PoE switch so a single cable run powers all cameras.