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Optimizing Home Security with UniFi Protect: A Real-World Case Study

Published by Juan David Ramirez on 26th Mar 2025

Meet James and Sarah, a tech-savvy couple in Colorado, who were nearing completion of their new hillside home. As construction wrapped up, they realized they needed a comprehensive security solution to monitor the entire property, including elevated front-facing areas and lower rear sections. They had the foresight to run Cat6 connections to various exterior locations, allowing for a hardwired, high-performance security system.

However, choosing the right UniFi Protect cameras proved to be a challenge. With varying mounting heights (10-12 ft in some areas, 20-25 ft in others), exposure to the elements, and a mix of covered and exposed locations, they needed a camera setup that provided full coverage without unnecessary overinvestment.

Cat 6v cables installation for cameras.

That’s where we stepped in. Here’s how we helped them design a cost-effective, high-performance UniFi Protect system tailored to their specific needs.

Understanding the Requirements

James and Sarah provided the following details:

  • Multiple Camera Locations: Each corner of the house has two Cat6 connections, with additional placements above the garage and front door.
  • Varying Heights: Cameras positioned higher at the front (due to the hillside) and lower at the back, requiring different lens and night vision capabilities.
  • Budget Considerations: While they wanted top-tier security, they also wanted to balance cost and functionality, ensuring the best coverage without overspending.
  • Mostly Covered Installations: Most cameras would be under eaves, except for one fully exposed camera above the garage.

cat 6 cable installation for garage and entrance cameras

Our Camera Recommendations

After evaluating their needs, we recommended a strategic mix of UniFi Protect cameras to maximize coverage and cost efficiency:

1. Areas Under the Eaves (Covered Locations)

Recommended: UVC-G5-Turret-Ultra & UVC-AI-Turret

  • UVC-G5-Turret-Ultra: A budget-friendly, high-quality 2K resolution camera with 30m IR night vision and weatherproofing—ideal for general surveillance under eaves.
  • AI Turret: For critical areas where advanced AI features (face recognition and license plate recognition) are needed, this 4K camera provides enhanced AI detection and superior clarity.

2. Over the Garage (Exposed Location)

Recommended: UVC-AI-Pro or UVC-G5-Pro

  • UVC-AI-Pro: A high-end 4K camera with long-range IR night vision (up to 40m with Vision Enhancer), 3x optical zoom, and advanced AI detection. Ideal for a fully exposed environment where clarity is key.
  • UVC-G5-Pro: A more budget-friendly 4K alternative with 25m IR night vision, weatherproof housing, and high-performance imaging for outdoor exposure.

Recommended: UVC-G5-Flex & UVC-AI-360

  • UVC-G5-Flex: A 2K (4MP) compact camera with enhanced IR night vision (up to 10m), making it perfect for covered areas like front doors and porches. Offers wide-angle coverage and can be mounted on walls or ceilings for flexible positioning.
  • UVC-AI-360: A 5MP fisheye camera that provides full 360° coverage, without blind spots. Designed for areas like porches, lobbies, and open spaces, it ensures complete situational awareness with built-in infrared night vision for round-the-clock security.

 Final Setup & Implementation

  • Use UVC-G5-Turret-Ultra for most covered areas to balance cost and performance.
  • Deploy UVC-AI-Pro or UVC-G5-Pro for exposed locations or areas needing higher resolution and advanced features.
  • Install UVC-AI-Turret in critical spots where AI detection is essential.
  • UVC-G5-Flex and UVC-AI-360 add extra security for porch and entryway monitoring.
  • Manage camera footage and system monitoring with a UDM-Pro-Max, which features (2) HDD bays for expandable storage and hosts the full UniFi application suite, including UniFi Protect.
  • Use USW-PRO-MAX-16-POE to power all the cameras, ensuring efficient power distribution and connectivity. 

This setup ensured full 24/7 coverage while staying within budget, offering James and Sarah the best balance of performance, cost-efficiency, and future-proof security.

What That Means for You

Whether you're building a new smart home or upgrading your security system, planning your UniFi Protect deployment with the right mix of cameras is crucial. Our approach ensures that you:

  • Get the best security coverage for your property’s layout
  • Balance cost and performance without overinvesting
  • Use UniFi Protect’s AI-driven security to enhance monitoring
  • Future-proof your home with scalable, high-resolution surveillance

If you're looking to optimize your UniFi Protect camera setup, our team is here to help! Reach out today to get started on your custom security solution.

Here are some frequently asked questions about UniFi Protect and Cameras:

1. Does UniFi Protect support ONVIF?

Yes, UniFi Protect supports ONVIF, allowing integration of third-party cameras for streaming and video storage. However, Advanced features like Audio playback and detections are not supported yet.

2. Which UniFi Consoles can run UniFi Protect?

UniFi Protect can run on the following consoles:

3. What is the best UniFi Protect camera?

The best cameras depend on your needs:

  • G5 Cameras: Feature high-resolution imaging, enhanced IR night vision, and AI-backed smart detections for people, vehicles, and motion. Ideal for general surveillance in homes and businesses.
  • AI Cameras: Offer higher resolution, advanced low-light performance, and AI-driven object classification. They support facial recognition and license plate detection, making them perfect for high-security areas and detailed monitoring.

4. Can UniFi Access Readers be used as UniFi Protect cameras?

Access Readers and Intercoms can record events and recognize faces in Protect, but continuous recording requires a dedicated Protect camera.

5. What type of AI detections do UniFi Protect cameras have?

  • G5 Cameras: Detect people, vehicles, and motion.
  • AI Cameras: Provide advanced object classification, facial and license plate recognition, and smarter event filtering. With AI-powered search in UniFi Protect, users can quickly find footage based on detected faces, vehicles, or motion events—saving time and improving security monitoring.

Don't leave your home’s safety to chance—optimize it with UniFi Protect.

Contact us today or visit our website to start designing your own custom surveillance solution.