8 CCTV CCD Camera DVR Video Security Record System free 1 larger warning sticker , 8 small free warning sticker DVK2806 1G1 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was hesitant to buy this system instead of a complete setup with DVR due to compatibility/driver issues, but I was pleasantly suprised. The instructions in the setup software were a little unclear at times, but the user manual filled in any gaps along the way. I was also impressed to find that the features of the program for recording, motion sensor, network connectivity, etc. were powerful and easy to navigate.
I would recommend this unit to anyone who wants to use their PC and save the cost of adding a new DVR. In fact, I was able to buy a new PC with 500G storage for less than a DVR with the same size hard drive!
I only wish the cameras had a smoked glass cover so nobody could tell which direction the lens is pointed. These have a plastic cover with a clear slit through which the lens looks. That said, they do a great job and the motion detection is helpful for recording and monitoring.

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This cost effective dome camera video security system are a great choice for restaurants, stores, offices, homes or anywhere requiring video security that blends into the environment. The 8 CCD cameras deliver razor sharp resolution-- 420 lines. The cameras deliver a wide angle of view with their 3.6mm lenses. Pan/tilt adjustments let you position the cameras in just seconds. The eight cameras come with their own all-in-one video/power cables which are easy to install. Simply install the DVR card in your PC, load driver and software, connect camera to your PC based DVR and connect to the power supplies. Your DVR system will displays all eight cameras at one screen, or a sequential view and also brings a live camera full screen even while all four are being recorded. The video is recorded to the computers hard drive in a compressed format. This compression allows a huge amount of video to be stored, it recording continuously for all 8 cameras. These systems do not require daily scheduled action to maintain the video recordings. They record video to the hard drive until a certain amount of disk space is left. Then the system will delete the oldest clips and record the new video. The video is played back on the computer monitor or burned to a CD. You can also print or save a jpeg image of any specific video frame. These systems allow you to view and playback any combination of cameras without interrupting the systems recording process. Package includes: 8 Color CCD Cameras 6 - 50' Power / Video Cables 2 - 150' Power / Video Cables power supply for 8 cameras 2 DVR 4 channel Card DVR software You provide the PC. Integrate with your PC, this DIY kit has all the hardware you need to set up a professional CCTV system.

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VideoSecu 4 Channel PCI PC DVR Card CCTV Security Camera System, including 4 Day Night Vision Outdoor Infrared CCD Security Cameras, 1 of 4 Channel Camera Power Supply, 4 of 50 Feet Camera Extension Cable 1G5 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A couple of minor problems only. CD with documentation and instructions is for an earlier version of software and load up must be done manually on Windows XP.
This system requires a dedicated hard drive or a partitioned hard drive to properly work.
While I doubt if the equipment was originally $1,000. This is good equipment with clear cameras, working IR, and what must be advanced security software as it is quite flexible in processing surveillance footage.
The seller is helpful.
The only question in my mind is whether to buy a second set to expand.

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Professional 4 Channel PCI PC DVR Card and Camera Kit, it turns your PC into a Professional DVR with Remote Internet Viewing, Motion Detection, Alarm input recording and More. This DVR is a PC based, multi-channel video surveillance system that utilizes the most advance digital video compression technologies to bring you the highest picture quality and video performance. 4 CCD 420TVL security cameras can be connected and view live on a local monitor screen. Video can be recorded basing on specifiable schedules or motion detection. You can store video clips in HDD. It provides significantly clearer digital images than conventional analog CCTV system using VCR. This kit provides 4 channels of camera input, it is also provide 1 TV out for spot monitor. Users can simply operate and control it with economic price. Package Included: 4 color Infrared cameras; 1 DVR Card with 4 Channel input; 1 power supply for 4 security cameras; 4 of camera extension cables.1 Software and manual CD. Free surveillance warning sticker. Notice: You need provide Intel based PC. Work with Windows XP, 98 and 2000. You need provide your own PC to set up the system.

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VideoSecu 4 Channel H.264 Network Stand Alone DVR with 1000GB Hard Drive, Triplex Real Time, Remote View, Digital Video Recorder for Security Camera Systems 1YT Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)No problems with it. Meets expectations. Picture is clear and the interface is intuitive. Unit is quiet and the remote works across the room. I'm very happy with it.

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This VideoSecu 4-channel DVR gives you the coverage you need at a low price. That makes it ideal for multi-camera commercial and individual applications. With up to 4 Cameras connected and connect to TV, you can monitor 4 locations at a time and record them into the HDD. With the RJ-45 Connection you can even monitor remotely from anywhere through LAN or Internet.

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Sharx Security VIPcella-IR SCNC2607 Wifi Wireless 802.11 Security Network Camera with Infrared Night Vision Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I recently purchased the SCNC2607 IP-Cam to use as a video server that I could access from within my home on my PC's and iPhones, as well as to access the video from anywhere outside my home LAN if I want.
Not requiring any special software to access this camera is the single most important item for me. If you want to be able to log into a camera from anywhere in the world, on any machine that has a connection to the internet and a web browser of some type, this is the one. There is also an included application called "Multi Live" which allows you to view up to 4 cams in one window.
The camera itself was pretty easy to set up, and the image quality is superb! No tricky setup decisions are necessary by the user to decide what type of streams are available to whoever logs into it from whatever platform. If you log into it on an iPhone through Safari, the iPhone negotiates with the camera server software and automatically appends the URL with the "/en/mjpgmain.asp" extension. If logged in from Internet Explorer, the basic URL automatically appends the "en/avmain.asp" extension. All you need to do is type the URL of the camera into your browser and the rest is taken care of automatically.
Safari on the iPhone will not process the audio stream, but this is not a problem with the camera, it is a limitation with Safari. I have read that Safari on a Mac computer will also not process the audio stream. I have tried various iPhone applications to process the audio stream, without success. But the designer of IP Vision by TTrix software has written me that an upcoming version will process audio. I have also tried this camera on a Sony PSP-3000 with the current firmware version (installed on 02-10-09) and current Flash update, but the device chokes up on memory limitations and can only process the jpeg still image. Some tablet PC's and/or WiFi portable media players like the Nokia N810 or Archos 605 might work, but I haven't tried them.
The default image quality settings don't need to be tweaked to lower quality settings unless your upload bandwidth gets maxed out. For one login to the camera (over the internet from work) I was able to use the maximum quality settings and didn't see or hear any problems. My connection at home is cable internet with about 128 Kilobyte upload and 5 Megabit download, so I was worried about upload speed. With 8 users logged on, there could be issues requiring some settings tweaks, but that's more than most people are probably going to be worried about. If you connect within your LAN then you don't need to be concerned with upload bandwidth, because the data isn't passing through your modem.
There is a color setting, moonlight setting, and night vision setting, but I choose to let the camera do what it thinks it needs to do and have left these controls in automatic. The night vision works even in absolute darkness, and the image is crisp and clean. There is a setting for motion detection, with variable parameters to offset alarms or recording from occurrences like ceiling fans or a bird flying past a window.
When viewing the camera on your browser, you have some easy control buttons available to take snapshots in either .bmp or .jpg formats. You can also record to your hard drive, in the .asf format. Recording can be stopped and started with the "Record" button, or started with the button and stopped by a maximum file size input that anyone logged in can specify. These picture and video controls can be run by anyone you authorize in either the admin account or any user accounts you set up.
The user accounts (an account created that is not the admin account) has no access to your settings for the camera, so it's a good one to send to Mom and Dad or your crazy aunt. When they get to the logon screen, if they choose "Enter" they can see what's on your camera and record what they see and/or hear. If they try to enter "Settings" then they are presented with the login username/ password box again. As long as they don't have your admin password, then you are safe from unauthorized changes to the camera settings.
For up to 8 concurrent logons, you don't need to create 8 separate guest user accounts. One will suffice. I have logged onto one guest account through a browser on my PC over the internet, through my iPhone on WiFi over the internet, and also through another browser on the same PC but using the LAN IP address. That's pretty cool to be able to log on over LAN or WAN while connected through the same router the camera is connecting to. Like if somebody chops up your internet cable connection with a ditch digger, you can still see the cam by using the LAN address.
The instruction manual supplied with the camera is very good. I only found one typo and it wasn't important. It was not translated three times from an original language using obscure clucking noises and hieroglyphic symbols. An email to tech support was answered promptly and with great attention to detail. The techies are REAL ENGINEERS, not some morons in monkey suits with a license to confuse and aggravate.
I mentioned before that the camera "itself" was easy to set up. That is true. What might be a bit challenging for some is the router configuration. I suggest while waiting for the camera to be delivered, brush up on your router's help files. Find the range of IP addresses your router is assigning to devices automatically, such as 192.168.1.25 through 192.168.1.125, because the IP address you choose to assign to the cam to make it a permanent host will be somewhere outside of that range. Also check to see if your router has the latest firmware. My Trendnet TEW-452BRP had a glitch with running DDNS updates, even if all the fields were input properly. This would have caused me great frustration had I not checked the website first.
If you want to access the cam from outside your LAN, then read up a little bit on DDNS. I'm using a free account from "no-ip.com" and there is a brief primer on using this service in the camera instruction manual. Check your router to see if it has an automatic function to update your current IP Address to a DDNS server. It doesn't have to, as your PC can do it for you automatically every time it boots with a free program you get after registering, but why not be redundant if you can? If you decide to set up DDNS so as to access the cam through WAN, then find out how to give the cam TCP and UDP privileges on a specified port number, typically using a function called "Virtual Server." Otherwise you would open "DMZ" or perhaps "Special AP" to give the cam connectivity rights.
Be warned that DMZ opens all ports, which might be dangerous. Special AP is for programs which require multiple connections that are blocked by NAT, so again that might be dangerous as well. Using Virtual Server only opens the ports necessary for functionality of this specific device, so it is the best way to punch that hole through the wall into the WWW. And remember, if you are restricting access to the router by use of MAC numbers, shut that off when first installing the cam or else you won't get it to connect. Later you can turn it back on.
None of this is rocket science, but if problems do occur, the Engineers at Sharx are competent and they are committed to not letting you fail. It even says so in the instruction manual!

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This Wifi b/g wireless IP camera has its own built in web server. You can view the video from your own home network or you can configure your router to view and control the camera from computers or cellphones on the internet, without dependence on any third party web sites or subscriptions. With the built-in microphone you can listen in. Excellent MPEG4 or MJPEG video quality at a full 640 x 480 resolution with up to 30 frames per second for fluid, natural motion color. For viewing or recording a single camera no software is required besides just your browser. For viewing or recording multiple Sharx IP cameras the included MultiView software for PCs supports up to 4 Sharx IP cameras simultaneously. Truly amazing to see the streaming video on your web enabled cell phone. For frequent use we recommend to upgrade your cellphone service to unlimited data, which costs just $15/mo extra on the ATT network. You can see motion even on non-3G phones like SonyEricsson w580i. If your phone does not support video you can see automatically refreshing JPEG images. At home, you can use this camera with your laptop or iPhone as a baby or pet monitor, and the very high light sensitivity in "moonlight mode" allows you to view out from a window to see what's happening in the street as long as there is some background light available. This camera has infrared night vision which can see in total, absolute darkness. Like any infrared sensitive camera, the daytime colors are subdued and can appear unnatural especially on plants and vegetation. For eye-popping, gorgeous daytime colors please select the less expensive Sharx SCNC2606 camera if you do not need night vision in total darkness. Wireless operation supports WEP, WPA, WPA2 encryption. On routers with UPnP feature the camera can set itself up automatically, and on routers without UPnP (such as Apple's Airport series) the camera can be set up with our step by step instructions.

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Axis 0304001 Q1755 Network Security Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a great camera! We use them primarily to for viewing entry/exit gates outdoors. This camera has a programmable "gate keeper" function that will zoom into a defined area upon contact closure or motion detection. Great for observing a large area then zooming in to catch a license plate entering/exiting a gate.

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AXIS Q1755 Network Camera connected to an HDTV monitor is the perfect solution for securing areas where greater image detail is required, such as airports, passport controls and casinos.The camera has a built-in slot for an SD/SDHC memory card which makes it possible to store days of recording without any external equipment.

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VideoSecu CCTV Security Camera USB DVR System MPEG4 Internet Remote Control, including 4 Color Infrared IR Day Night Vision Security Cameras, Power Supply and Camera Extension Cables WAN Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I recently bought this system . I am quite happy with it! Here are my thoughts: Everything that came in the box was as expected.
con : each camera require running cable until a local power source shared (4 cam)
I was looking for was ensuring that each camera didn't require a local power source, as I didn't relish the idea of running receptacles to each camera location.
I will like single cable with an video connector that runs to each camera and carries both power AND video signal .
Plus : very cheap, nice picture.
I was impressed with the picture I got from the night vision from the cameras.
Easy install software and run.
recommended this system
Some of the features I like about this unit is of course the night vision cameras, the ability to view the cameras over the internet, the ability to record continuously or as motion sensors.


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4 CHANNEL USB DVR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM is great for home/office/shop guard or baby care purpose. This package comes with one of 4 channel USB video capture, 1 Digital Video Surveillance software, 4 IR cameras, and 1 power supply for 4 cameras, 4 of 50 feet security camera cable. It'll save your time and make your life easier! You can do your own digital security system, by easy installation use your own PC. It is the cost-effective solution to replace commercial VCR tape recorder, which also supports stable digitize video record and easy manages the recorded data via index of date and time. That is it, makes your life more safety and easier. Note: PC (use your own) are not included. This product is compatiblewith Windows Vista 32 bit, Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows 98. The PC must be Intel based PC. AMDwill not work. Please do not order if your PC is AMD.

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Defender GK300-7M2 Hands Free 2-Wire Color Video Intercom System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Generally intercoms aren't cheap and for $200 this is a pretty good value. It is easy to install, but there are some things I don't like:
* Although the picture is in color, it is a little washed out.
* You can't have two video intercoms monitor the same camera (I have a 3 story house and would like to put video on the second and third floor).
* It isn't real obvious that the button on the front is the doorbell. They give you a lot of doorbell sounds (Christmas, etc) but really you only need one sound.
* The field of view is rather narrow and the mounting brackets don't really help when mounting since they are fixed. I mounted it with a piece of wood as an offset and then put caulking around it.


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Defender GK300-7M2 Hands Free 2-Wire Color Video Intercom System with 7 inch LCD Monitor and Night Vision Security Camera

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Panasonic BB-HCM527A PoE Ceiling Mount Dome Network Camera with Tilt Motion Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Businesses have used security/surveillance cameras for many years, to identify people in certain areas of the building, to watch for suspicious activity, or to catch people in the act of doing evil deeds. However, as technology has improved and prices have dropped, these cameras have now become popular additions to home security systems as well. While many people still choose Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and recorders, mostly due to their low cost, the added flexibility of network cameras (otherwise known as IP cameras or Internet cameras) is starting to greatly influence homeowners. Network cameras allow easy installation and integration with your wired or wireless home network. While CCTV cameras require a standalone monitor to view the images, network cameras can be controlled and viewed from any computer on your home network, and can also be viewed from outside your network with computers, cell phones and PDAs that have an active Internet connection. But choosing a good network camera that meets your needs can be a bit tricky, as most of the network cameras currently on the market are either low end (relatively inexpensive) or high end (extremely expensive); with very few choices that fall in between. If you're looking for a network camera that you can control pan, tilt, and zoom, it can be very difficult to find a quality device that is affordable. Well Panasonic recognized the strong need for a mid-level network camera, which would offer features that are usually only available on high priced models. They answered this consumer need with the Panasonic BB-HCM527A PoE ceiling mount, dome network camera; complete with motorized pan, tilt and zoom features.
Setting up a home computer network and adding IP cameras to this network requires a bit of technical aptitude, so you may wish to call upon the help of someone with a computer technical background if you are not very tech-savvy. This review is for the BB-HCM527A network camera, so I am going to concentrate on the camera itself and not include a long dissertation about home networking in general.
The Panasonic BB-HCM527A network camera is NOT a Wi-Fi device, so you need to make sure you are able to run a CAT5, CAT5e or CAT6 cable from your network router, switch or hub to where your camera will be mounted. This model is also a PoE (Power over Ethernet) device, so you will want to make sure your network has a PoE switch, or you will need to purchase a separate PoE injector. Although PoE technology is becoming more popular in business environments, most home networks do not yet utilize this new and somewhat expensive technology. However, the advantage of PoE is that your power travels over the same Ethernet cable as your data; meaning that you do not have to have a power outlet right next to where you plan to mount your camera. I do not have a PoE network in my home, so I purchased the PD-3001/AC 1PORT Poe Injector Ac Input 802.3AF and Cisco Supported, made by PowerDsine. This allowed me to run a cable from my network switch to the injector, which plugs into a wall AC outlet, and then run another cable from the injector to the network camera itself. You now have your power and data connections all in one wire.
This remarkable device is a feature rich network camera, with nearly all of the bells and whistles you could want. It is able to pan from -175 to +175 degrees, giving a total sweep of roughly 350 degrees. Mounting the camera to the ceiling is a fairly straightforward process, utilizing the easy to follow instructions and mounting hardware, which is all included in the camera kit. It has a tilt angle adjustment from 0 degrees (straight down) to +82 degrees. The zoom capabilities of this camera are not quite as impressive; offering only a 4.6x zoom (2.3x optical, 2x digital). Still, for most home or small business applications this should prove to be sufficient. Video output can be adjusted between three different resolutions, at up to 30 frames per second. Output formats include JPEG, with three different quality settings, and MPEG4. The light sensitivity of this camera is from 2 to 100,000 lux, and can go all the way down to 0.2 lux when in "Color Night View" mode. It also allows 2-way, half-duplex audio, with a built-in microphone and an output for an external speaker (sold separately). Buyers should be aware that there is no built-in speaker in this camera, so it will only allow 1-way audio unless a self-powered speaker is plugged into the camera. All video and audio from this camera can be monitored from your home or business network, or from outside your local network with a computer, or a web compatible cellular phone or PDA; all using a free Internet service called "Viewnetcam." This Internet service is totally free for anyone who owns a Panasonic IP camera, and it gives full access to all of the camera controls, configuration settings, and video/audio output from the camera. I could go on and on, explaining all of the features and specifications of this network camera, but I will simply list them below for your review.
Technical Specs:
***************
* Lens = 73° Wide-Angle
* Lens Brightness = F1.9 (Wide) - F2.8 (Tele)
* Required Light Intensity = 2 to 100,000 lux (0.2 to 100,000 lux in Color Night View Mode)
* Lens Focus Point = Fixed (focal range: 0.5m to infinity)
* Zoom = 4.6x (2.3x optical, 2x digital)
* Image Sensor = 1/3.6 inch MAICOVICON, approx. 370,000 pixels
* Horizontal Viewing Angle = Tele: 32° (optical) / 16° (digital), Wide: 73°
* Vertical Viewing Angle = Tele: 24° (optical) / 12° (digital), Wide: 55°
* Remote Pan Angle = -175° up to +175°
* Remote Tilt Angle = 0° up to +82°
* Maximum Pan/Tilt Speed = Pan: 300°/sec, Tilt: 80°/sec
* Image Compression = JPEG (Motion JPEG), MPEG4
* Video Resolution Settings = 192 x 144, 320 x 240 (default), 640 x 480
* Image Quality Settings = JPEG (favor clarity, standard, favor motion), MPEG4
* Frame Rate = Max. 30 frames/sec @ 640 x 480, 320 x 240 or 192 x 144
* Progressive Scan Video Output
* Authentication = User ID/Password, SSL
* IPv4/v6 Dual Stack
* Supported IPv4 Network Protocols = TCP, UDP, IP, HTTP, FTP, SMTP, DHCP, DNS, ARP, ICMP, POP3, NTP, UPnP(tm), SMTP Authentication, RTP, RTSP, RTCP, SSL, HTTPS, TLS.
* Supported IPv6 Network Protocols = ICP, UDP, IP, HTTP, FTP, SMTP, DNS, ICMPv6, POP3, NDP, NTP, RTP, RTSP, RTCP, SSL, HTTPS, TLS.
* Buffered Images = Approx. 350 images (320 x 240) -standard image quality (16kb per image), with time display, without using SD/SDHC memory card.
* Image Buffer = Alarm, Time or Motion Detection Triggers
* Image Transfer via E-Mail = SMTP, FTP, HTTP
* DDNS Compatible = Yes (using free Viewnetcam.com viewer)
* Cellular Phone Compatibility = Remote Monitoring
* Multiple Camera Views = 4-up, 9-up, or 16-up
* Audio Signal = 2-Way / half-duplex
* Audio CODEC = ADPCM (32kbps)
* Audio Frequency Range = 300Hz - 3.4kHz
* Audio Input = Built-in Microphone or External Microphone Input Terminal (3.5mm mini-jack)
* Audio Output = Line Output Terminal for External Speaker (3.5mm mini-jack)
* Audio Reception = Method: ActiveX / Decoding: ActiveX
* Network Connection = Ethernet (10Base-T/100Base-TX)
* SD Card Slot for Image Buffer = Up to 2GB SD, or up to 8GB SDHC
* Analog Video Output = Analog Composite Plug (NTSC/PAL)
* Built-in Motion Sensor
* Power Source = PoE: 48V, IEEEE 802.3af-compliant Power over Ethernet
* Power Consumption = PoE: 4.4W (view only) / 7.9W (pan-scan)
* Dimensions = 6" (H) x 4 9/16" (W) x 6" (D)
Since this camera has a built-in motion sensor, you can adjust the trigger threshold and sensitivity settings on a PC, and the camera will then automatically capture and record images when motion is detected. The images can be stored in the camera's memory buffer, to a user installed SD or SDHC card, or they can be sent to you via e-mail or FTP transfer. This makes the BB-HCM527A network camera a great device for a business environment or for a vacation home, for motion detection security. And speaking of security, the BB-HCM527A can also be connected to most home or business security systems, so that the camera will automatically start recording when an alarm is triggered by the security system. Unfortunately the camera lens will not automatically pan or tilt to the area where the motion was detected. Therefore you will want to position the lens in the direction of the area you wish to be monitored in your absence. The camera also has a timer record feature, which allows you to setup days of the week and times at which you wish to have the camera record. Both video and audio can be captured during a motion triggered or timed event. Reading the saved data from the built-in memory buffer or from an installed SD card is very easy, using any web browser. You can also use 3rd party software, installed on any PC on your home or business network, to record full-time or triggered event streaming video and audio. Panasonic gives you a demo version of their own recording utility called Network Camera Recorder with Viewer Software. However, purchasing the fully licensed version of this software will set you back a few hundred dollars, and it is pretty basic software for such a hefty price tag.
Connecting this camera to my network wasn't overly challenging; but I have worked in the I.T. support field for over 20 years. Still, hooking this model camera up to your personal home or small business network really shouldn't prove to be very difficult for most people. The camera will acquire an IP address from your DHCP...Read more›

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Panasonic BB-HCM527A PoE Ceiling Mount Dome Network Camera with Tilt Motion

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Lorex LH314501C4 Edge Surveillance DVR with 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a great video surveillance system for home or small business. I think video surveillance is cheap insurance against vandalism and theft -- would-be vandals/robbers think twice when they know they're being recorded. This system comes with everything you need to set it up, is easy to setup, has good features and video quality, and lots of storage.
PROs:
- 4 night-vision cameras that do a good job (not great, but good)
- Includes everything in the box (DVR, 4 cameras, 4 60-foot cables, mouse, remote control, IR extender for remote, power supplies)
- Easy to install and setup
- Cameras can mount to ceiling, wall, or horizontal surface
- Cameras hold up well and are weather proof
- Includes remote control with IR extender
- Simple menus with good navigation
- Can specify recording quality details (frames per second, video compression quality, resolution, brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation)
- 500 GB hard drive and recording options to recycle the oldest videos as needed (FIFO method)
- Motion detection with ability to specify where to detect motion by turning on and off boxes on a grid overlay of the image, and sensitivity adjustment
CONs:
- Mouse has a bright blue glowing scroll wheel that you can't miss when you enter a room -- burglars will have no trouble finding the DVR!
- Mounting base for cameras is made of plastic
- Video output defaults to 1280x1024, so you need a monitor that can support this during setup (then you can change it to lower or higher if you'd like)
- Poor video playback controls
INSTALLING:
Installing the system is relatively easy. There are just a few connections that need to be made. The cameras all must use the 60-foot extension cables. The cables include female BNC connectors on both ends, and power connectors. The extension cable, which carries both power and video, is only 5/32" thick. However, the BNC connectors on each end measure 5/8" diameter, so you will need a 3/4" holes to pass the cable through. The video cable seems to be somewhat low quality, which probably reduces the video quality. I couldn't test the cameras connected directly to the DVR because both the cameras and DVR have male BNC connectors, so the extension cable is needed to reverse gender. The cameras include about 3 feet of cable, so you can tuck the connectors indoors if you mount the cameras outdoors. One of my runs exceeded 60 feet, so I purchased a separate extension cable (SECURITY LABS SLA31 50-ft BNC Video Power Extension Cable). If you order an extension cable, make sure it comes with a male-to-male BNC connector, so you can connect it to your 60-foot cable (unless you replace the initial 60 foot cable). I found the extension I ordered to be better quality than the cables that came with the system.
The system includes two power blocks -- one for the DVR and one for the four cameras. The power block for the 4 cameras comes with a 4-way split Y cable so you can provide power to each camera.
The cameras have two mounting screw threads on the back (one on top, one on bottom), so you can choose to mount the camera to a ceiling, wall, or surface. The base is made of plastic, but seems to be sufficiently strong. Be careful when driving screws to mount the base -- you could probably crack it easily with too much pressure. There's a thumb screw on a swivel head that connects the camera to the mount. A few folks reported that the cameras don't stay steady on the screw, so I put a drop of LocTite on the thread before mounting it up. All of my 4 cameras seem steady.
The DVR has connectors on the back for power, video (standard VGA connector), USB mouse, 10/100 Ethernet port, an "alarm input" port (for use with external motion sensors, etc.), and a connector for the included IR extender cable (for the remote control).
IMPORTANT: While the DVR supports several monitor resolutions, it defaults to 1280x1024 resolution. So, you will need a monitor that supports that resolution when first setting up the system. This was a problem for me, since the monitor I am using is a 1024x768 LCD monitor that does not support higher resolutions. So, I couldn't get any video and couldn't adjust the resolution. Fortunately, I have a higher resolution monitor on a computer that I was able to temporarily use. Once I had it hooked up to a higher-resolution monitor, I was then able to change the resolution to 1024x768. This was POOR configuration on their Lorex's part -- they should have either provided a boot menu option or defaulted to the lowest resolution. Lorex did not mention this at all in any of their documentation -- it just says "VGA", which describes the connection, not the resolution.
SETUP:
The menus are relatively easy to understand and navigate, but you will need to keep the owner's manual next to you for reference until you become familiar with their menus and conventions. For example, "O" means "On" and "X" means "Off", whereas the rest of the world uses "1" and "0" (even my car uses 1 and 0). I do like that all of the menus have a drill-down navigation method. The right-mouse button is the "Back" functionality. So, as you click into menus, you right-click to go back a level.
The DVR defaults to recording at a high frame rate (I think 15 or 30 frames per second) and lower resolution video (640x320 I think). Since detail in the video is important to me, but I don't need it to be theater-like smooth motion, I changed all of the camera settings to 5 frames per second, at the highest compression quality, and 640x480 resolution. That still gives me reasonable motion without sacrificing storage capacity. I think it estimated that it could hold 18 days of video with these settings.
VALUABLE TIP: The system features motion detection (it can be configured to record only when it detects motion). Motion detection works by comparing one video frame to the prior frame and determining how much the image has changed. This was a key feature for me, since I don't want to watch hours of still video -- just show me the highlights! However, the cameras seemed to be EXTREMELY sensitive to motion at night and not so much during the day. So, if the motion sensitivity was appropriately set for daytime, it was always recording at night because it always detected motion (video grain from low lighting would trigger the motion detection). I have recently discovered that if you reduce the contrast and increase the brightness, then the video sensitivity works properly at night. I have all of my cameras set to about 50% on brightness and about 30% on contrast (before, I had the inverse settings).
VIDEO: The cameras produce 640x480 video resolution. The video quality, however, resembles that of a high-end VCR; it's not a crisp 640x480. The cameras have 59 degree horizontal and 44 degree vertical viewing angles. These wide angles cover a lot of territory, but won't give you detail unless someone is fairly close to the camera. The cameras have two operating modes: day and night. In day mode, they are full-color. They switch to night mode by measuring light on a photo sensor. There's a mechanical "clack" sound when it switches modes. At night, the camera is in black-and-white mode, but can view in near darkness. It also has a bunch of infrared LED's that will illuminate for up to about 20 feet away (I think they claim 40, but it's really only effective to 20). Note that if you have something in the foreground, it will flood out the image from the IR LED's shining bright on it. You will want to place the cameras where there's nothing directly in its foreground (tree branches, etc.).
PLAYBACK: This is where I found the product to lack in design (costing it a star in my review). It does a decent job of providing a list of video activity (most-recent activity is at the top of the list). As you scroll through the list, it shows you the first frame of the video. However, the list menu sits square in the middle of the screen, so you can't really see what's on that preview frame without clicking into it.
Once you click into a video, fast-forwarding and rewinding is pretty clumsy. It REALLY needs improvement in this area. It provides a timeline of activity at the bottom, but makes it difficult to understand and navigate. Navigation options are such that you can press fast-forward and it will move to 5X speed. Press it again and it goes to 15X and then 60X. However, at these faster speeds, it drops a lot of frames and shows only a few frames per second. It's not like pressing fast forward on a VCR or DVD player, where everything moves quickly. Instead, it jumps to different times quickly, but keeps that frame up for a fraction of second.
Another problem is that it often detect motion when someone has fully entered the frame. So, I told it to record for 3 seconds before motion detection (nice capability). But when you start playback, it starts at motion detection. So, you have to rewind. However, the rewind starts at 5X and blows right past the prior 3 seconds.
I wish they took advantage of the mouse scroll wheel to act as a video jog wheel -- that would make perfect sense. However, they didn't do that.
Overall, I think the system is great, but could use some software improvements.
Enjoy!
UPDATE ON 1/17/2011:
I found that I was constantly trying to adjust the motion sensitivity on the system to record only when there was motion on my property. What I found is that if I set the sensitivity too low and reduce the detection areas in the motion detection grid, I would often miss events (or wonder if I had missed it) because it simply didn't detect motion...Read more›

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Edge Surveillance DVR with 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Cameras

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SVAT CLEARVU11 All-In-One Web Ready 4 Channel Compact H.264 DVR Security System with 15” LCD Screen and 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased the Clearvu11 system about a month ago for use at my home. I know I should keep it short but since mine is the first review here, I thought I that I will give a little more detail than if I wasn't the first one.
Overall, I really like the system. Here are my reasons for buying it and some pros and cons:
Reasons for purchasings this system over another:
1. Email notifications when motion detected.
2. Video viewable over the internet for remote monitoring. My wife watches our kids come home from school while she is in the office. Pretty cool!
3. Video viewable over cell phones and iPhone although this turned out to be still photos. This information was not clear to me during my research.
Pros:
1. Steps to viewing the system over the internet were complete so that I did not have to fill in any gaps in the instructions.
2. Enabled to be viewed over cell phones with a connection to the internet. It is only formatted for a WAP display not the iPhone (ie, very small picture in browser).
3. Tech support is available 24-7 for system setup. The team that handles internet setup was not available outside of normal business hours though.
4. The system alerts you whenever motion is detected and sends out email alerts and audible ones from the monitor if you choose.
5. Everything is intergrated into the display.
6. Setup instructions were clear and complete although slightly complex (but I like a complex challenge). Cons:
1. System setup interface is tolerable to use but difficult at times because a keyboard cannot be connected to it.
2. System setup was somewhat complex due to the interface.
3. Insects activate the motion detection at night and send me hundreds of emails. I can't lower the motion detection sensitivity enough to stop this problem and keep detecting people movement. Tech support couldn't resolve this problem either and said it is trial and error to resolve it. The email problem was solved by setting up a seperate email address for motion alerts and low limits for the number of emails going to my iPhone.
4. Viewing the system on my iPhone is poor. The pictures sent are too small for my iPhone and I have to enlarge it everytime in my browser. This would be okay but I can have it update the picture every few seconds and it gets downsized each time rendering this option useless on my phone. I'd love to see an App developed by SVAT to allow me to view live video over the internet instead of the poor interface they offer me now.
5. Color settings on the system do not allow me to adjust colors correctly. My trees and yard look light purple on the screen when they are actually green. I have not covered this issue with tech support yet so maybe their is a solution I am missing.
6. While it was clearly labeled in the sales literature, the IR only covers about 15 ft at night which is not a lot for covering the front and sides of a house. I would like to see SVAT offer some low cost add on IR flood lights that are well under $50/pc.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SVAT CLEARVU11 All-In-One Web Ready 4 Channel Compact H.264 DVR Security System with 15” LCD Screen and 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Cameras

SVAT Electronics 15" LCD - DVR 4 Channel All - In - One System. Everything you need to monitor your home or business! Whether you're at home or abroad, you'll always be able to keep tabs on the everyday "comings and goings" on your property with this All-In-One System! This is one sweet System... you can access live footage from anywhere in the world... even from your iPhone or Blackberry! System comes complete with 4 outdoor night vision cameras, a 15" LCD screen with integrated DVR capabilities (with enormous 320 GB hard drive) and all the mounting / hookup hardware you need! You'll never be out of the loop again. A silent witness: Able to record over 2 years of video footage on the 320 GB hard drive; Comes with a 8 1/2 ft. DC 12V power adapter for DVR; 1-4 port power supply; Software CD included; 10 ft. of RJ-45 cable; Comes with four 60-ft. PIN DIN to RCA power cables; 5 RCA to BNC connectors; Includes a USB mouse and remote control for the DVR; Quick start guide; 4 window warning stickers to intimidate would-be criminals; All mounting hardware included; Cameras measure 3 x 2 x 4 1/2" and weigh 2/3 lb.; A full security system, right here, for LESS! Act Now! WARNING: This item cannot be shipped to Canada. Please check your State, County and City laws for restrictions before ordering this product. SVAT Electronics 15 LCD-DVR 4 Channel All-In-One System

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Swann Alpha D02C5 SWA43-D2C5 4 Channel H.264 DVR and 4 CCD Weather Resistant Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My husband and I got this security system to protect our home, workshop and barn. Packaging was good, instruction manual and quick start guide were easy to use. Everything we needed to install was in the box including mounting brackets, screws, mouse, remote control, etc.- which I appreciate. We had no problem getting the cameras up and running and viewing them on my computer. Picture is really clear-color by day and black and white on the night vision mode. It works by motion detection so hard drive space lasts a long time and it automatically records over when full-30 days and counting of space so far. I had some questions about viewing it on my iPhone so I called Swann Customer service (1-800-627-2799) and I gave her permission to use logmein and take over my desktop and she set up the whole thing remotely while I sat back and watched-cool! Really nice people at Swann California office. I called once after hours to ask about viewing my security system with a Blackberry (yes you can)-and I got to speak with someone at their home office in Australia-they were very cool. Overall very good product and great customer service. I'm ordering another one to put up at my mother's house to help her feel more secure in her home. We saved more than enough installing our own system myself to pay for hers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Swann Alpha D02C5 SWA43-D2C5 4 Channel H.264 DVR and 4 CCD Weather Resistant Cameras

When it comes to protecting your home, your business or your family, there\'s simply no substitute for peace of mind. Whether you\'re concerned about crime, vandalism, common household safety or simply want to have an extra set of eyes watching at all times, having a reliable security solution is the only proven way to live your life without constant fear. Now there\'s a convenient and affordable way to keep an eye on the people and places you care about the most. The D02C5 Security Recording Kit with Internet Viewing from Swann's Alpha Series gives you everything you need to monitor, record and capture video footage for your home or business. With 4-channel capability, the D02 DVR arms you with the power to view and record footage from up to 4 security cameras at once, so you\'ll never miss any suspicious activity. As an added bonus, the Kit also includes four high-quality CCD video cameras that can capture crystal-clear footage day and night from up to 65 feet away. With \'set and forget" recording, you can record continuously for up to 30 days without having to check settings or worry about hard drive space. And the state-of-the-art H.264 recording technology gives you a higher image quality for a fraction of the file size. Peace of mind has never been more convenient with the D02C5 Security Recording Kit from Swann's Alpha Series. Included firmware bonus: compatibility with most mobile phone operating systems allowing you to easily see an event when it occurs and determine what action should be taken. Swann security products are warranted for 1-year labor and parts.

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USA Security Store -- USS808 8 Channel CH Security Surveillance Digital Video Recorder DVR Pc PCI Card, Real Time 240FPS, Software Included Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The unit offers a much smoother installation than Q-See with more options for less $'s. I will update this review in a few weeks if an issue crops up. 3/16/11

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PC Requirements• Intel Chipsetor AMD Chipsetor• Intel Pentium 4 or higher• ATI, Nvidia and Intel VGA card• 512MB Memory or higher• 160GB Hard Disk Driver(Minimum)PRODUCT SPECIFICATION• 8 Channel Video input• Each Camera 30FPS, 240 FPS total in display and recording• Triplex operation for Playback/Record/Network in same time• Support H.264 and MPEG4 Compression• Support up to 2 Cards, Total 16 Channels• 640 X 480 high resolution• Timer/ Motion/ Sensor/ Scheduled Recording• Live Playback in real time by Day, Date and Time• Perfect motion detection function• Easy Video Color Brightness and Contrasts controls• Pan / Tilt / Zoom Control• Multi user and level protection Management• Video/audio Data Backup Management• Manual Back-up to CD or DVD media.• Automatically email a photo to user when a motion is detected• Build in Web Server• IE Remote Viewing over the internet with internet explorer• Remote playback, Recording, and PTZ Control• Support Windows XP / Vista / Windows 7 32bit version only

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Covert MPEG4 DVR Recording System with Built-in Color Pinhole Surveillance Camera Hidden in a Motion Sensor (PI1000) & Bonus Sandisk 8GB SD Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Flash Memory Card (SDSDB-8192-A11) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got to admit I was cautious about buying this hidden cameras as to how it/they would work for example, and what had to be used to actually record, plus how long a recording would be possible.......
All I can say now after owning this for a little over a month now is "WOW-WOW-WOW and WOW" I never expected this little camera to be as good, as powerful and as easy to use and setup, and even view what was recorded as it is!!!!
Gee I can set it up to record for several days at a time and the best part is, it is all self contained in the unit.
Some pinhole cameras need something like a recorder to do the work recording which can be an issue all by itself running the wire or even wireless signals between the units can distort some video signals, this unit has no audio and really in a security camera that's not really needed, this Defender Stealth1 has a Color pinhole camera and without audio to take up memory can be setup to record for about 30 some odd days, but the bigger Memory card you use the longer it will record, gee you can record continuously for 6 months to a year if maybe longer if need be, just think about how many VHS tapes you would need to record using a VCR for example, plus this is self contained that you can use long life battery's in or even short life AA(double A) for quick places you need surveillance, it also comes with a cord you can plug in to 110V house current if one is available, but if your out in the woods, or in a tent out in the middle of NO-Where, where there is no electricity; your hidden camera would still work, all you need is maybe extra memory cards as you needed to keep and store what you recorded, unless you had a really large memory card I might should add. You can also plug the memory card into most Laptops and view what you recorded and/or edit it by removing chunks(Blank spots if you will) from the memory card so your action stays closer together if you will. I'm really impressed that something like this didn't cost more!!!
12/10/2009 from Mesa, Arizona


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The PI1000 is a complete video recording system that is both compact and discreet. A built-in color camera catches all the action and the video is recorded onto the included SD card. The best part is, this device looks like an ordinary motion sensor, allowing you to monitor any location discreetly. Simply mount it on the wall at your home or business and the PI1000 will capture high quality digital video. When you want to view your footage, just remove the SD card and watch it on your computer. Alternatively, you can watch it directly from the unit by connecting it to a TV/monitor with the included RCA cable. This portable DVR can be plugged into a wall outlet, but is also battery operable which allows you to place it virtually anywhere. The PI1000 has the option to record whenever motion is detected. This will save you time and ensure that only important footage is recorded. Scheduled recording allows you to choose which hours of the day the DVR will record. You can find your recorded footage quickly by searching by time and date. This device is compatible with regular and high capacity SD cards up to 32GB. This bundle includes a bonus SanDisk 8GB SD flash memory card.

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Sharx Security SCNC3605 Wireless Weatherproof Outdoor MPEG4 IP Network Camera with Infrared Night Vision and built in DVR Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For several years I have been waiting for an affordable, wireless, outdoor IP camera to hit the market, and it looks like it has finally arrived. After 3 weeks of summer 90-degree heat, high humidity and torrential thunder storms in Georgia, I'm happy to report this camera continues to hum along just great. I have not had to reset it once, and have monitored it remotely via my Moto Droid almost daily (using the free IP Cam Lite viewer, which delivers the full 640x480 live feed). I use this camera to monitor my driveway and it serves its purpose with beautiful daytime color, excellent night vision, and better-than-expected low-light performance. I have it set to record video upon motion detection and FTP it to my ReadyNAS server, and it has worked flawlessly. Of course, the nighttime insects of the Southeast trip it almost constantly at night, but you can fully adjust the motion zones and sensitivity to minimize on false tripping. I have not seen a better camera with the feature set of this camera at this price point, and if it holds out in the coming months I will definitely be purchasing more to cover other zones around the house. My father has been running one in Texas for a little longer than I have and he's thoroughly pleased with it as well. I'll provide an update a few months from now.
Update [February 5, 2011] - Just a quick note to say that the camera has still been working flawlessly, 24/7, for 6 months now. Outside operating temperatures have ranged from the 100 degrees to 13 degrees and it just keeps on working. I don't know why it has on again/off again availability on Amazon, as this is clearly the best outdoor wireless IP camera that they sell. However, apparently you can still order it directly from Sharx.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sharx Security SCNC3605 Wireless Weatherproof Outdoor MPEG4 IP Network Camera with Infrared Night Vision and built in DVR

This outdoor night vision IP camera works on 10/100 Ethernet with Cat5 wiring or on 802.11 g wireless networks secured with WEP, WPA or WPA2 encryption. Multiple viewers can see video or snapshots in any of the supported formats including MPEG4, MJPEG, 3GPP and JPEG. Both HTTP and RTSP streaming protocols are supported for use with browsers or media players on Windows or Mac computers as well as iPhone, Droid, Blackberry or other web enabled cell phones. Multiple streams with 3 separate choices of image quality are available simultaneously. Video can be adjusted from near DVD quality with audio and full motion (2048K, 640 x 480, 30 fps) all the way down to a bandwidth saving mobile stream (20K, 176 x 144, 5 fps). With the included MicroSD memory card the camera functions as a standalone DVR for motion detection or continuous video. Recording time ranges from 1 hour/GB to almost 100 hours/GB based on selected video quality. The camera can automatically upload recorded video files to an FTP server or standalone network drive with FTP feature. Except for a waterproof electrical box for power connection, all mounting hardware is included. The mounting bracket can attach to the top or bottom of the camera for maximum positioning flexibility. The required 12 VDC / 1A power is supplied by the included international standard 100-240V AC adapter. This camera can see up to 45 ft in absolute darkness with its powerful infrared LEDs. A wired or wireless router is required for operation. Access from outside the home network (LAN) requires internet service. Automatic setup for remote viewing requires a recent model router with the UPnP feature. Older routers, networks with multiple routers, or Apple Airport require manual configuration. Step by step instructions included for current version of Airport Extreme or Time Capsule. Includes 30 days unlimited free email tech support and up to 30 minutes of free telephone support during the first 30 days after purchase.

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Q-See QSD42208 8 Channel H.264 Pentaplex Network DVR with CIF Realtime Recording on Each Channel (No Hard Drive Included) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)No hardware problems so far but I had it only for a week. Install was pretty easy. Just note that this DVR unit does not come with cameras. I also bought the 4ch for my parents and that one came with cameras. Also note that this unit does not have a power splitter so you need to use the power adapters that come with the cameras. If this unit came with a splitter built in you wouldn't need to make space for 8 power adapters. Make sure you have a big enough surge protector as you will need 9 outlets. The video comes out good with my 32" LCD tv. You can display all 8 cameras at once or 4 and then it will flip to the other 4. you can also display one camera at a time. when you buy cameras make sure you buy one with night vision that can reach far. i got the 30ft and 80ft. the 80 ft comes out much better. but the way i set it up is that the 30ft is next to motion sensor flood lights. when the lights turn on the video comes out great. the 80ft reaches all the way across the street to my neighbors garage. so essentially the better your camera the better the video. oh i used a 1tb seagate sata HD. i will be installing more for backup and to extend the length of recording. just install it and format it with the unit and off you go. another thing before i forget, i also used 100ft extension video/power cable. the video still comes out great. i didnt get the q-see brand as that had bad reviews. i did however had to get female to female bnc adapters to connect the extension cables. the ones that come with them is not the right type. i got them from radioshack for around $3.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Q-See QSD42208 8 Channel H.264 Pentaplex Network DVR with CIF Realtime Recording on Each Channel (No Hard Drive Included)

This 8 Channel Pentaplex Digital Video Recorder will record CIF Real-time video per channel into the hard drives. It can record, monitor, search, transmit, backup and play all at the same time. This DVR is ideal for multi-camera law enforcement, industrial, commercial, and individual applications. Connect the DVR to a monitor or television and view all the cameras at the same time, or one at a time. With the RJ-45 Connection you can even monitor remotely from anywhere trough LAN or Internet. With H.264 Video Format, the playback has great picture quality. Add up to 7 internal hard drives for longer recording time, and use the eSATA port for backup. For Product Questions contact Q-SEE: (877) 998-3440 or cs@dpsi-usa.com

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Zmodo DVR-H9008UL-1TB 19-Inch Monitor with Built-In 8-Channel Pentaplex Real Time Network DVR with 1TB Hard Drive Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this unit on Amazon in the beginning of Oct 2010. I ordered it on a Monday and had it the next day (didn't even pay for 1 day shipping). We've been having a lot of problems with teenage punks in the neighborhood breaking into cars, kicking doors, stealing lawn ornaments and they destroyed some of my property. I liked that this was a security monitor with a built in 1 TB security system DVR. Set up was super easy. Just plug in the power and it starts right up. No programing or installation of programs required. I just had to set the date and time. I believe this is a Chinese built system with an office in the US. The manual is a lot better written than most of the Chinese made items I've purchased through the years. I have 4 different Q-See cameras hooked up, also a Zmodo camera and a Swann camera to this unit. All six work without problems on this machine. You can view one camera at a time or four or all eight, or set the system to rotate through the cameras. It comes with a mouse and it is easy to use it to point and click on the monitor. The included remote control also functions well, but it is much easier to use the mouse to navigate through the menus. You can easily adjust camera settings (brightness/contrast/Hue/Saturation) from the monitor. You can also program the cameras and system to only record when motion is detected. I don't have any audio on the cameras so I can't tell you about sound quality. The playback search of recorded video took a little getting used to, but it is very easy once you get the hang of it. It only fast forwards/reverses in 16x speed, so a one hour recorded block can take several minutes to get through so it would take you a while to go through several cameras worth of recordings. You can backup video you want to save on a USB thumb drive. The format is .264 so you have to convert it to .avi (or some other format) to view it on a regular computer or burn it to a CD/DVD. The system comes with a CD that has a converter program. It is easy and quick and does a good job converting the video to .avi format. I'm trying to find a program that I can edit (cut) .avi video, but for some reason they don't recognize the converted .avi video from the included program. If you are looking for an all-in-one security DVR system for a decent price ($505 in 10/10, which was the cheapest I could find it). I'd give this a shot. I have not played with the remote internet viewing or mobile phone viewing yet, but will at a later date. I probably should have gone for the system that included 8 cameras for an extra $225, but I wanted better 6mm cameras with more infrared LEDs than the ones (3.6mm) included in the complete package. Again overall a nice system that is very easy to set up and use.

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19'' Monitor with Built-in 8-Ch Pentaplex Real Time Network DVR w/ 1TB

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Panasonic BB-HCM511A Network Camera with Two-Way Audio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For a while the Panasonic BL-C111a and BL-C131a were my favorite of the Panasonic lineup for monitoring the pets and vacation house. Now I discovered the BB-HCM511A and this amazing little cam is THE BEST! It has a 1/4" CCD detector instead of a 1/6" CMOS in many of the other models. I can get a night time view of the ranch because the CMOS goes down to 0.2 lux instead of 3 lux. That's about the limit of human night vision, or a moonlit night. I couldn't do that before with the BL-C111a cam that this replaced. Also the CMOS sensor has much better dynamic range, which simply means more colors. So whereas with the BL-C111a the shades of green on the plants look flat, the BB-HCM5111a gives the scene much more definition with all different shades: slightly bluish green, slightly reddish green etc. and this has the visual effect as if it had greater resolution. I love the PoE feature because I can just run a network cable without running a separate power cable. To take advantage of this you need a cheap PoE injector or a fancier switch that supports PoE. I use the SMC GS8P-Smart switch for PoE, which is a newer model router with good reviews. I also use the CoconutView Vista sidebar gadget so I can always see all of my Panasonic cams on my desktop. To download this gadget go to the Microsoft Windows Live Gallery on the web and search for CoconutView or Panasonic. There's also an outdoor model, the BB-HCM531a but it's almost twice as expensive and from the installation manual it appears that the BB-HCM531a just has a cover on the back that you screw on and tape over the cables to protect the connectors from moisture. So I think this one is a better value for placing under eaves and protected outdoor sites, unless your plan to install it where it will be directly exposed to pouring rain. Ok just buy it, you will be happy with this cam.

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Network Camera with 2-Way Audio. Use of the built-in microphone and a separately purchased amp-equipped speaker enables two-way voice communication2 (transceiver system) between the network camera and a PC used to monitor the camera image. In addition to conventional monitoring of images and sound, voice messages can be transmitted from the PC to the network camera. Voice transmission and reception can be switched easily from the PC used to monitor the image.

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