Best Security DVR Kits For 2018

Emelie Go

June 28, 2018

For the past few years, we have tested a lot of security surveillance systems so we know what’s important to look for. If you’re a homeowner who needs a more extensive and robust security system, you’ll want to consider going for a security DVR kit. And in this review, we’re going to cover some of the very best that money can buy!

Here at HomeSecurityList, our goal is to help you make the right decision in choosing the perfect home security solution that best fits your needs and budget. Below are the 10 best security DVR kits for 2018.

What is a Security DVR Kit?

A security Digital Video Recorder (Security DVR) kit is a popular choice among homeowners who want a more serious and robust security system. This type of security system records video in digital format to a disk drive. Those that are made specifically for security surveillance applications are capable of recording video signals from security cameras. Once captured, it will be stored in the disk drive and can be viewed multiple times. A lot of DVRs can also record audio. Some provide additional features and services like searching video by time/date or camera.

DVR kits also offer control over quality and frame rate, while some even overwrite security footage that are deemed insignificant or are no longer useful. This maximizes disk space so there’s plenty more space for storing video and/or images. The newer models also give you remote control and access to footage simply by connecting the DVR to either a strong Wi-Fi signal or a LAN network.

Security DVR kits can be divided into two types: PC-based or embedded. A PC-based DVR consists of a PC with an OS and a video capture card that’s designed to capture video. Meanwhile, an embedded DVR is designed as a single unit with an OS and software built into the firmware or read-only memory.

What to Look for in a Security DVR Kit

Like setting up your own computer, building a security DVR kit in your home will not only take a certain amount of effort, but will also require a bit of prior research. And while a lot of today’s popular models allow you to customize to your heart’s content, some may not even let you do so. As such, you need to choose a DVR kit that can save you a whole lot of grief with little downsides and will take a large amount of effort from setting up a home security system.

Below are some important factors you need to consider when choosing a security DVR kit:

Pricing

You may notice that most of our top picks for the best security DVR kits for 2018 are roughly in the $200 range, and some of them may also require extra fees to store recorded video through cloud storage service. It’s worth taking a closer look at each of the ones in the list so you can decide which one best fits your budget. But remember, you really can’t put a price on peace of mind!

Connectivity

A lot of security cameras these days use Wi-Fi, but not all models rely on it exclusively. Some also use Bluetooth for local control, while other models connect it with a separate home automation network so it can also interact with other devices or appliances in your home. But for most cameras, it’s as simple as following instructions on an app to connect them to your home network.

Once you connect the security DVR kit, you’ll most likely be able to access it remotely via your smartphone, tablet, or PC. A lot of security systems today even come with mobile apps, with many homeowners focusing entirely around those apps for doing everything. Popular models even have web portals which add more flexibility for accessing videos, images, and alerts anytime and anywhere.

Resolution and Field of View

The standard resolution for a security is 1080p, although there still are a lot of great options out there with 720p or 960p resolution. You’ll also find that those with higher resolution sensors are beneficial, although they usually come at a higher price.

Not a lot of security camera come built with optical zoom lenses but almost all of them have digital zoon that allow you to enlarge and even crop whatever the camera is recording. And the more the megapixels a sensor has, the more you can zoom in and be able to see things without compromising clarity.

Apart from resolution, you also need to consider the viewing angle. The best security cameras have wide-angle lenses, although not all angles are created equal. Depending on the camera lens’ field of view, it can be anywhere between 100 and 360. So if you want a camera to cover a large area in your home, you need to choose a security system with an extra-wide field of view.

Design and Placement

Want to keep an close eye on the rooms in your home? You have plenty of options to choose from. However, if you want to closely monitor your garage, driveway, or backyard, you need to consider your options more carefully, especially when not all security DVR kits are robust enough to be installed outdoors. For that, you need a security camera that’s waterproof and can withstand the harshest weather conditions and survive extreme temperatures no matter the season.

Storage Capability

Some security cameras don’t have the capability to store videos on the camera itself. A lot of them use cloud services for storing and offering remote access to recordings. Some even come with support for microSD card slots where you can locally store videos and physically pull it from them whenever you want to review a footage.

Keep in mind, however, that not all cloud storage services are the same, even for similar security cameras. It depends entirely on the manufacturer and the amount of footage a camera stores for different lengths of time. Again, cloud service often doesn’t come included with the package itself, and you may have to pay extra for it. However, some models do offer them for free, but on a limited period only. Cloud service is typically offered in plan tiers, allowing you to choose from storing footages for a week, month, or more.

Apart from the ones mentioned above, there might be other factors you need to consider as well. For instance, there’s the design (which is one of the first qualities we notice). For some homeowners, it’s important that the camera looks like something they’d actually want in their home. Depending on your needs, you may want it to be attractive yet discreet – one that doesn’t stand out too much.

10 Best Security DVR Kits For 2018

Features vary from one DVR kit to another, and each of our favorite picks offer just enough variety to set them apart from the rest of the competition. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the best security DVR kits for 2018:

• Product
• Deals
• Last reviews

Zmodo

Enter your model number to make sure this fits.; Easy Setup - Create an account, enter your WiFi password, and follow easy in-app instructions to connect your NVR and camera system. You'll have a ...

Best price

amazon.com

Zmodo 4CH NVR 720p High Definition Wireless WiFi Smart Outdoor...

Buy Now

amazon.com

Last price update: 2020-05-03 22:12:45

I purchased this system thinking that it contained a DVR that I could access from within my home. Be aware that this is a Cloud Based video system and is not a traditional DVR. Even though the NVR resides in your home, all video is viewed through the Zmodo servers (where ever that might be). This produces substantial lag while trying to connect to the cameras to view video. Too, be advised that archived video can only viewed through a phone app and not through the website. The website produces a series of 5 stills that can be used to track the footage while switching to the phone but this is rather cumbersome. The NVR function must be accessed through the phone with a minuscule slider that is difficult to move with fat fingers. There are no fast forward, reverse or similar functions and no controller, making it tough to sit through many minutes of footage while waiting for the right moment to arrive.What if found disturbing is that Zmodo controls all access to your cameras and the NVR. If they decide to go out of business, levy a "tax" on each camera or just discontinue your system line, there is nothing you can do about it. I went with this system as I didn't want a Cloud based system that companies such as the Nest use. Zmodo could have made this a little clearer from the start.Even though there are controls for each camera to adjust a schedule for the camera to be on and for notifications, I was advised by customer support that these do not work and cannot be set. The cameras run 24/7 and pick up bugs, raccoons, etc. during the nighttime hours. I noticed great gaps in recording for the cameras that appear to be random. Setup was confusing and frustrating. The Wifi identifier would not appear for two of my cameras and the NVR (refered to as a "Smart Kit"). I went back the next day to fight some more and then found that they had been set up automatically. So why do the instructions state that they must be set up manually in the first place?Customer service was a surreal experience. My first attempt to call resulted in a wait time of over 200 minutes. I went to the chat feature of the website and got through within several minutes. The second time that I tried to call to set up a return of one of the cameras, I was on hold for one hour, 27 minutes. After all this the agent said to just send in an e-mail. The return process is slow and it took two days to obtain an RMA. The final insult to injury is that you must pay postage for any defective part found out of the box. No prepaid UPS labels from Zmodo!My conclusion is that this system is fine for viewing real time video or seeing who left a box at the front door. For those who value archived footage and retrieval, it may not be the best selection. This system seems to be cobbled together from many disparate parts and is not ready for prime time.

February 7, 2017

Not really clear how you could make this type of system less user friendly. The hardware installation is pretty straight forward. However, when it comes around to setting the system up the problems start. The setup is illogical. One has to log into the Zmodo network then come back and connect to you home network. Sometimes it works, other times it does not. Two or three trials should get one connected. The camera images are decent particularly in daytime. The night vision leaves much to be desired but is acceptable. The real problem is that the detection algorithms are not very good and the subsequent records are pretty much useless. Detection gets bugs, lights, etc. leaving a blank screen most of the time. When an activity that might be of interest is detected, only a snapshot is produced. It would be nice if 5 seconds or some other timeframe of video was saved locally and it could be readily accessed. They find it more important to provide cloud membership for some reason. There is also a great interest on sharing. It is not clear why. It is hard to imagine the need for widespread sharing of a security system. Maybe there is a need but it seems notification and a record of what was going on at the time would be most appropriate. Finally, it is a phenomenal amount of work if one has a network problem. I had to make a change in my network subsequently needing to reinitialize the system. I may eventually get it to work again but have already wasted more time than the system was actually worth. Such trouble out of a relatively minor disruption is inexcusable. Again, this is just poor software and hardware implementation. The Zmodo folks obviously had a different set of priorities than the user as their design criteria.

November 25, 2016

Setup could have been explained better, but finally everything is working. The cameras need a longer power supply cord and would prefer black cord also because white is easy for someone to see and disconnect. The company emailed back and was very helpful and sent another camera to replace the one that didn't work properly and of course that was the first one I tried to start and it made the setup hard to understand and follow..

March 1, 2017

This security camera system is pretty simple to set up. You can control the cameras remotely by downloading the dedicated mobile app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices. Simply create an account, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and follow the simple in-app instructions to connect the system to the cameras. From there, you’ll have a live view of your cameras in just a matter of minutes.

With its superior quality video resolution (720p), you’ll get sharp and crisp image throughout the day, with a wide 81-degree field of view. And because the cameras are built with 24 automatic infrared (IR) cut filter, you’re assured that you can also see everything in full detail even in total darkness, with its night vision mode that can cover up to 65 feet. The cameras have a sturdy and weatherproof design that can withstand extreme weather conditions and temperature. This makes this security system an ideal choice for those who want to install camera both in and out of the house.

The Zmodo Wireless Home Video Security Camera System features smart motion detection that alerts you via push notifications whenever unexpected movement is detected. You can also set a schedule for the notifications via the app. Apart from this, the system also boasts advanced recording features that will help you save space on your hard drive. It has three recording modes: Normal recording, intelligent recording, and motion-activated recording. Unlike your typical security system, Zmodo records at fewer frame rates per second (fps) when no motion is detected, and at maximum fps during motion. The system also has a playback feature that allows you to fast-forward, rewind, and slow-play. Each of the cameras has a digital zoom feature that allows you to get a bigger and better picture of something from within the camera’s field of view. It’s a really useful feature, especially when you want to get a better look at an object or a person’s face.

At the time of writing, the Zmodo Wireless Home Video Security Camera System only supports local storage, with a hard drive that can store up to 500GB worth of footages. This is plenty enough for you to keep the cameras running for up to 6 days or more. Unfortunately, the system doesn’t support cloud storage, although Zmodo will soon provide cloud services.

• Product
• Deals
• Specification
• Last reviews

Amcrest

4-Channel 960h Video Security System with Pre-Installed 500GB HDD / 4 x 800 TVL Cameras / 65ft IR LED Night Vision / USB Backup FeatureThe Amcrest 960H Professional Video Security System: Simple, ...

Start from: $279.99

Best price

amazon.com

Amcrest 960H Video Security System Four 800+TVL Weatherproof Cameras, 65ft...

$279.99

Buy Now

amazon.com

In stock

Last price update: 2020-05-10 11:43:54

RAM	500

[It's important to remind anyone reading this review that it's very old and very dated now. Technology changes fast and I have since replaced the entire system (which to be clear, I spent over $500 out of my pocket on ... the manufacturer only chipped in for an empty DVR box and 1 working camera). In the 2 years since this review I've also kept up with evolving technology by replacing my phone, TV, home media center, cameras and car ... things change. I left the review because most if it is general useful information which is not specific to Amcrest or the model I had. I bought a different brand recently that has a lot of features Amcrest is missing, I am definitely not married to their brand which I think is lagging right now. After I've lived with my new system for a while I'll circle back and add some comparisons to this review.]Before getting in to this review please note that the seller offers several different models at this page, all under the same heading. Therefore some of the reviews you read may be intended for a different model other than the one you are interested in. To be clear, this review is for the model AMDV960H4 which is what I ended up with after buying the rest of the components.A friend recently installed a very similar home video security system that is one of the most popular models being sold at the big membership warehouse club. I was able to compare this one feature-for-feature with that model, which sells for about the same price. Read on to learn what to look for when you are shopping for a video security system.In a consumer electronics industry where "bigger is better" is being pushed at us all the time, is that the case with a home security system? For example, do you really need HDTV cameras and a 3 TB hard drive? Do you want a completely wireless system? Which features are "must have" and which are gimmicks?Here are a few basics if this is your first video security system. These pointers are intended to help you choose the most basic and important features, you may want or need other options to suit your particular installation:1. Highest resolution - not a necessity, the higher the resolution the more hard disk space it takes and with some systems the more it will cause your smartphone to stutter or freeze. You are not producing a Hollywood movie; however you do need enough resolution to be able to identify intruders or license tags. The resolution of the camera sensor is not always an absolute indication of how sharp the picture will be, the optical lens also has a lot to do with it. The Amcrest has higher-than-average resolution and good optics. [EDIT] since then camera resolution has taken quantum leaps. By 2017 some security cameras look as good as a good HDTV. What really is worth noting is that they are getting much better at packing more resolution in cameras without taking up immense hard drive space or bandwidth.2. Largest hard drive - this one is one of the major fallacies of choosing a security system. For most people a hard drive that records for 30 days is useless on modern systems that alert you immediately of an intrusion. You only need video evidence of an intrusion, not a month's worth of no activity. How will you possibly be able to review a month's worth of footage? Even 1 week is too much for most people unless they travel a lot for extended periods and may not be able to "check in" from remote locations. The best choice is to set the system to record ONLY when a camera detects motion and record that for evidence while alerting you via smartphone. Also be aware that if the drive gets full and there has not been an intrusion, it simply goes back and records over the now unnecessary footage. This model Amcrest I am reviewing records for 6 days before starting over. Amcrest has models that can record more more. [EDIT] Since I wrote this review digital compression technologies have gotten much better so they are able to pack higher resolution and the ability to use more cameras into the same amount of hard drive space. Now in 2017 a good size hard drive to have is between 1TB - 2TB.3. Color at night - useless. Most systems can be set to switch to monochrome at dark. Even then don't expect the infrared LED's to give you a highly detailed picture beyond about 20'. Be sure you can switch from daylight to night modes, including remotely from your phone. The Amcrest cameras give me a view of my entire back yard at night and I can read license tags of cars parked out front. [EDIT] Still true, color at night is still unacceptable in full darkness but B&W sensitivities and resolution have improved a lot. This system was rated at 65' which it just barely did, newer cameras can produce a better picture up to 100'.4. Lots of cameras - for a typical house, even a large one, four cameras should cover basic security needs. Be sure to include entrances and windows but don't point the camera right at any window or you will only end up with a silhouette of the intruder. Try to point it 90 degrees to the window so you can include the whole act of entry. The same is true of direct or reflected sunlight, it can make ID'ing a suspect impossible. You may want additional cameras if you need to monitor intrusion to outdoor buildings like sheds, to check on pets, media rooms, etc. [EDIT] while this is still generally true, increasing crime rates in my area and more stringent demands from judges for positive ID from security cameras has altered my opinion. I now have 8 cameras. Once again, better digital compression has made this possible.5. Camera visibility - there are two schools of thought here. One is that someone seeing security cameras will move on to the next house and not risk the chance. Another is that the presence of security cameras equates to valuables and they will try to find a way to disable them. Put the cameras where they will be the most effective of catching someone BEFORE they break in to your house. Don't install the camera at the front door pointing away to see who is approaching but rather point it AT the front door so you can see if they are breaking in or stealing packages left at the door. [EDIT] once again, because of increasing crime and stricter judges I've increased front door coverage a lot.6. UPS - no not the parcel delivery service but an Uninterruptable Power Supply (a backup battery). Video security systems record on a hard drive and in many ways are like your home computer. A sudden loss of power or surge can destroy the electronics. And when the power comes back on they may not start up properly and resume recording. That makes them useless to you. Invest in a UPS that will keep the system running at least for a short time during a power outage and will help perform a soft shut-down. By the way, a favorite trick of burglars when they see video security is to shut your power off. If your system is still recording on battery power at least it can alert you of an intrusion so you can call authorities. To have that happen it will be necessary to also plug your modem and router into the USP (not a bad idea anyway).7. Wireless - home security cameras are a major project to install, how nice it would be to just screw a camera into a wall and have it work. Someday maybe. While wireless cameras sound like the perfect solution, remember you are protecting the security of your home. You need a dependable system. Wireless systems are not dependable. The Amcrest systems use dependable hard wires. [EDIT] I still believe a wired system is much more dependable. One thing to consider is wireless (WiFi) cameras still need a power source. The newest cameras carry the video, power AND even audio on one cable. It's worth the extra time to hard-wire a security system if you really want to depend on it.HOW DOES THE AMCREST STACK UP?All things considered there is very little lacking in the basic and advanced capabilities of this system. Documentation is very thorough and well-written and presented at a level most first time users will be able to understand. The controls are very intuitive, almost automatic, and the cameras produce very clear video. At 960H (higher than average) the Amcrest is better than more expensive competitive brands. The physical installation is on a par with every other brand, none of them would be considered easy to install, that's the nature of this type of product, but the setup installation is far easier than my friend's system due to it leading you step-by-step through the process. It comes with everything you will need for an average home; including an HDMI monitor cable and mouse (you supply the monitor). You get enough cable for a typical home, and longer cables are available, usually at your local big-box hardware store. The entire list of what's in the box is shown above in the product description. Note that you WILL need an available physical port on your router to use the network-based features. The quality of construction is about the same as more expensive brands I have seen. The size of the controller box is smaller than I expected and there were no specs at the Amazon page, but it is 10" W x 8.75" D x 2" H.SUMMARY:This system is a good value for the price and should suit the needs of many people who want/need home video security but don't want to pay double or triple the price. Amcrest is related to Foscam who has a very good reputation with video security and monitoring cameras. {EDIT] I read a news story lately that indicates that Amcrest makes more "brands" than I imagined, although what they sell under their own name seems to be more targeted to lower-budget systems.BOTTOM LINE:Is this the best video security system available? No, but in fairness the going price of top-end models from other brands is substantially more than the asking price here, which is what makes this a 5-star system based on its value for the price. It delivers on quality, dependability, ease of setup and versatility all at an affordable price. There are no tricks or gotchas, it does what it should do (and much more for the more advanced enthusiast). When shopping do keep in mind that there are a lot of advances being made in video technology and, like TV's, the quality will continue to get better and the prices continue to come down. Everything you've read here was based on what was available at the time this review was written. Also note that Amcrest supplied part of this system (the basic bare-bones box with no drive and two cameras, one of which arrived with a cracked lens that I had to throw away ... I ended up spending about $500 on a hard drive, cameras, cables, etc. for a full working system to review) in exchange for a fair honest review which I did. I didn't fault the seller for the cracked lens as it likely occurred in shipping.​BOTTOM LINEThis system rated highly when it was new and at it's current price it is still a good bare-bones entry-level system from a brand-name company. The rating is based on the system as it was reviewed in 2015, not by today's standards which makes this a rather dated system now.

February 2, 2015

My first outdoor security camera system and straight up this is what sold me on this one over any others on Amazon.... 1. Picture quality is great 2. Night vision is amazing. 3. I have an app on my iPhone and works great every time. Last thing that really sold me was I called a couple of customer service companies phone numbers to ask questions about the product and amcrest was the ONLY one who answered the phone EVERY TIME and answered all my questions. GREAT PRODUCT very cool to see on my phone all the cameras from work.

January 16, 2015

Why I bought it:My wife wanted to purchase a security monitoring service and after doing some research I was unimpressed with reviews and the cost for the services from many companies in my area, so I decided to buy and install my own. The quality of this product is great for what I was needing and I now have my own personal monitoring system around my home.I have absolutely no experience with video security systems and this was incredibly easy to install. I honestly did not even read the instructions because it seemed pretty straight forward, and it was. The hardest part of the install was moving around my attic with the wiring, but that had nothing to with the product. It took about six hours to install all 4 cameras with most of that time being spent crawling through tight spaces in my attic to connect the wires into the video cameras. The time spent setting up the equipment was maybe 30 minutes. I was also very happy to see that I could hook this up to my television and now with the push of a button I can see all four cameras on my television screen. This is great for checking the front door when there is an unexpected visitor, or to see what the noise was in my backyard.There is also an app for this video security system that works perfectly. From anywhere I can instantly check on my home. I have used the app every day since I installed the system and I have never had any problems with it.I honestly do not have any complaints with this product and my wife is satisfied with these security system in place of a pricey monitoring system. This has saved me a lot of money and I am completely satisfied (I really wasn't expecting something this great considering how affordable it was). I would recommend this product to anyone in search of a home video security system. Feel free to ask me any questions you have.

March 5, 2015

The Amcrest 960H Video Security System comes with amazing high-resolution video at 30 fps real-time. The standard 960H security DVR kit provides wide-screen HD using advanced image sensors that allow for 34% increased resolution compared to a traditional CCTV. 700 TVL was thought to be the highest possible line density but not until 800+ TVL was introduced. This particular surveillance system can handle the incredible 800+ TVL line density and goes up a notch with its uncompressed signal transmission that eliminates latency so you can get truly real-time feeds with sharp high-resolution image.

It’s a non-complex plug-and-play system that lets directly connect the cameras to the DVR. The DVR serves as the control hub for all cameras, making things easier to secure. And since the system is backwards-compatible with older models that use coaxial connections, upgrading to this system is easier and more practical. Simply switch out the cameras and the DVR unit and keep the same coaxial cabling that was there before. Easy as that!

This cutting-edge video security system revolutionizes close-circuit surveillance by making remote access and viewing simple and easy. The camera channels are HTTPS-encrypted and runs on your network, which means it’s easier to secure compared to IP-based systems with cameras that may act as points of entry. And apart from going beyond an internal user interface (UI), Amcrest has created a ground-breaking and beautifully crafted interface where you can remotely manage or view the cameras from your PC or smartphone. And speaking of smartphone, the dedicated mobile app, called Amcrest Link app, lets you control the cameras even while you’re away from home. Simply download the app on your Android or iOS device and from there, you can connect to the cameras and access the Live View interface where you can control pan/tilt/zoom, toggle channel views, customize the number of video screens, capture screenshots, toggle sound, record videos, and many more.

From the app, you can also access the Playback interface where you can view locally recorded files on your phone, anytime and anywhere. From here, you can also search footages based on their time or date, as well as recording type (i.e. manual, motion-triggered, scheduled, alarm event). You can also rewind, fast-forward, pause, play, and adjust videos to slow motion. The system’s built-in Recording Scheduler uses a 24/7 calendar for each camera where you can also customize triggers. Additionally, the DVR comes with configurable security features like automatic alarm in the event of system disruptions like loss of video, full HDD storage, hard drive issues, or disconnected network cables.

As for the cameras, they are built to be sturdy and weatherproof. They’re built with heavy-duty metal, which means they’re engineered to withstand even the most severe environmental conditions. As for the IP66 rating, this is awarded to devices that have been proven and tested to be completely airtight against dust and are able to endure strong winds and rain. The Amcrest security cameras, with their excellent build quality, guarantees amazing reliability.

Each camera features a 3.6mm lens and a wide 75-degree viewing angle, on top of 24 high-intensity IR LEDs for exceptionally clear night vision, up to 65 feet. The IR mode is automatically activated in low-light conditions so any intruder who will cross paths with your system is sure to have his every move illuminated and recorded in detail. This gives you complete peace of mind, knowing that you can keep a close eye on things all throughout the day – and night!

From the DVR, you can also customize motion detection according to your preference. You can set a perimeter zone, specify which areas of the camera’s motion grid are active, as well as set a 24-hour schedule for arming or disarming the alert system. Apart from this, you can also customize the motion sensor’s sensitivity to prevent false alarms like plants or animals moving about. So when you tweak the camera’s motion detection sensitivity, it can activate multiple security responses like turning on the DVR’s buzzer, sending an alert via email, or triggering recording.

Just like the Zmodo Security System, this security DVR kit comes pre-installed with 500GB HDD for ultra-long and continuous recordings on all channels. And if you use the system’s space-saving lower resolution and motion detection settings, you can record continuously for up to 30 days or more. In case you run out of space, the DVR will automatically overwrite the oldest locally stored footage. You can also transfer video files via USB to a memory stick or external hard drive.

• Product
• Deals
• Last reviews

SANNCE

Enter your model number to make sure this fits.; ANNKE "8CH DVR w/ 4 cameras kit" is superior to a "4CH DVR w/ 4 cameras", it provides you the flexibility to extend additional cameras without ...

Start from: $115.99

Best price

amazon.com

ANNKE 8-Channel HD-TVI 1080P Lite Video Security System DVR and...

$115.99

Buy Now

amazon.com

In stock

Last price update: 2020-05-16 16:44:07

Works OK so far ,,but the play back only works on two of the four channels and you can't pick which two

December 28, 2015

I have no issue with the DVR or its software. You must by a hard drive separately and install it. The installation was simple enough. The software appears quite advanced. The Amazon recommended HHD works well.I give this four stars only because I bought this on sale. Otherwise it is a bit of a ripoff if you pay full price.The problems?-First the directions are poorly written. For example, regarding the DVR it describes the full setup, which applies if you are connecting to the Internet. It never says that you do not need to connect to the internet and that you need not run through the wizard if you do not. They make assumptions on what you know and understand. And they are just poorly written. This system does allow you to access it with your phone if you do connect to the Internet.-Second, the cameras have very cheap casings and mounts. The cameras have worked fine for the last couple Winter months but I fear having to adjust the mounts if I should want to relocate them. One of the set screws had stripped through the plastic before I even tried to adjust the cameras direction. A set screw vibrated out as I was fastening the mount to the wall with my cordless drill. The screws set into plastic of the mount. You must be very cautious so as not to strip the hole the screw rests in.-Third, the mount screws themselves were cheap. The heads stripped when I brought one back out from the wall to adjust the mount position.I am fortunate that I have a basement full of old and odd screws that I could turn to in order to work around failed set and mount screws.I will most likely have to buy better cameras in the future.

February 7, 2017

This unit fired right up.FYI: The cams are not weather proof. Quite flimsy and cheap compared to many others I have bought. No big deal. They work fine indoors.My concern was the DVR.Cameras were just icing on the cake. I like having extras.All the DVRs I have bought are the cheap ones. Night Owl lasted 1-2 yrs (online app was a no go). Floureon lasted 6 months (Online app worked flawlessly). I am told the more expensive ones are just as cheaply made. They just have better tech support.Not only did this unit work as promised. It has the best software of any I have had before. Many more options that all work. Except one item. The bar code for the online surveilance app is a bad code. Use the ANNKE Vision app from the google store.One friendly suggestion. Buy an extended warranty. For when it fails. They all do.

October 10, 2016

The system features 720p security cameras that can be used both indoors and out for true day and night monitoring. Each camera is equipped with cutting-edge IR LEDs, making it capable of lighting up dark areas in your home with black-and-white night vision, up to 66 feet. Now, you’ll never be left in the dark and will have peace of mind knowing your security cameras will stay up all night to deter burglars.

To be able to control and view the cameras remotely, simply download the free Annke View app on your Android or iOS device and you’re all set. From here, you can instantly see live videos and control the cameras using your smartphone or tablet – no more complex traditional setup processes that require a certain level of networking!

With the system’s easy incident video locating feature, there’s no more need to sit before a monitor and scroll on the timeline trying to find that one specific recording. The smart playback lets you mark out specific searching zones on-screen which will lead you straight to that very moment in a specific area, all while speeding through unimportant clips.  The system also features intelligent motion detection and email alerts, complete with snapshots of the incident. Apart from this, you can also set a recording schedule so the cameras can work for you whenever you want. You can set them to start and stop recording based on time, motion, or alarm according to your monitoring needs. And because of this feature, you can save considerable amounts of storage space!

This security DVR kit supports local storage, up to 1TB. In order to work, it requires an HDD, otherwise it won’t be able to record or playback.

• Product
• Deals
• Last reviews

EZVIZ

EZVIZ Complete 1080p HD Surveillance Kit – 4 Bullet Cameras 4 Channel DVR 1TB Hard DriveView High definition 1080p with 91.3° wide angle coverage. Night vision up to 100 feet or 65 feet in total ...

Start from: $395.00

Best price

amazon.com

EZVIZ FULL HD 1080p Outdoor Surveillance System, 4 Weatherproof HD...

$395.00

Buy Now

amazon.com

In stock

Last price update: 2020-05-25 14:43:39

For anyone in the market, I am really impressed with this system. The camera picture quality is impressive, I even put my cameras on the lowest resolution and they are still impressive. Installation was a bit of a challenge for me since I did not have my router near the location of the hard drive and could not hard wire the Ethernet connection to my home wifi router. I solved this by buying a $25 wireless access point and used it in client mode to connect my camera system wireless to my router. It works PERFECT.TP-Link Wireless access pointhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1I now have remote access using the Eviz APP, using my smart phone. The app and the camera software are easy to use and interface on. I am very happy with overall performance. The cameras motion detectors are VERY sensitive (adjustable sensitivity), I am getting "false" notifications from insects flying by the cameras. Still playing with the sensitivity.

November 27, 2016

 We've had a recent series things being stolen from around our neighborhood (small stuff to a whole boat motor).I finally had enough when our Christmas lights got stolen from us and bought this unit.Unit arrived on time and was packaged amazingly (see screenshots)!! I was able to quickly understand the setup without much time and had my first camera up in about 60 mins. Running the wires was a bit difficult as I hate getting up in the attic and fishing wires, but this was honestly the hardest part of the whole job. It's very important you run these wire through the interior of your house to your unit. Not because of of weather related things, but because of the length of the wires/signal. If you try wrapping the wire around the outside of house and extend the cable with 25 feet or longer of extending cable, you will soon realize you get a fuzzy picture or diagonal lines. So do not, I repeat DO NOT use extension cables for these cameras, instead find a single place for the unit in the house that all cameras can reach with a single line of cable that came with unit (65feet) and run it interior of house.Once I had my pictures all clean and was ready to go, I was off having fun with this guy and configuring it away.. however, this is where my 5 start drops to a 4 star. I've been battling over the past two days the motion detection sensitivity and the sheer number of alerts my wife and I get on our phones now (over 99 first night). The issue is that even with properly configured motion grid patterns (to trigger an alert), you just can't account for all the different conditions such as night time, rainy streets, bright head lights, heavy rain drops, bugs and yes you guessed it animated or blinking Christmas lights.The software does not allow you to schedule the sensitivity of motion alters depending on the time of day, and even if it did trying to make sense of these conditions would only leave me with a less than productive camera at night to prevent theft at night. Do I expect this system to know the different between a flashing light and a human's motion, or a large rain drop vs. a thief, absolutely not it's just something that I didn't expect and now know plague most surveillance systems. But, there are a few areas in the software that would of helped mitigate these situations had there been just a little finer level of schedule configuration across all features of the camera(s).Lastly, I was not aware of this, but only 1 camera has a audio abilities (I could be wrong as the audio icon on the rest of the cameras is not available to be clicked)..? I assume this camera was for my front door, but I put it way up above my garage on the second story thinking all cameras had audio abilities.. so I got a move that one next weekend.In conclusion, this a great product for a great price and would recommend it, however it's lack of the finer tuning in the system software that I would like to see in updates around or future releases adapt, that prevents me from giving it a full five star.(UPDATE: Amazingly as I was writing this review, some drunk girls came down my street and started messing with our lights and I scared em off by pointing out the new cameras and a threat of putting their faces all over facebook if I see them again, so it works!)

December 24, 2016

Just got today and already got 3 of the 4 cameras up (not sure where I want 4th) love it! this is without a doubt is a great buy for the price, Bought an Arlo setup for the wireless function....Junk. Returned and bought the EZVIZ and had it up and going in a couple hours, even had to call Tech about an issue (me not them) and got right to a service rep. So far I am VERY pleased with this setup and after returning the Arlo it saved me almost a $100!

December 2, 2016

The EZVIZ Security Camera System is especially built for connected homes. It runs on the innovative EZVIZ platform, bringing all of the security cameras together in one place. Depending on the package you’ve chosen, you can connect up to 16 cameras in a single DVR. The kit comes with IFTTT capability, which means you can easily connect it with IoT smart devices, your favorite apps, websites, and email accounts. They even get smarter and better with time, too, since EZVIZ continues to add new features and functionality to the system as they become available. Using the EZVIZ app for Android or iOS, you can access and view all of your cameras remotely, while the smart motion detection feature will send push alerts to your phone whenever the cameras sense any unexpected movement. The app saves you from the hassle of network configuration, allowing you to securely view videos and even share precious moments on social media anytime and anywhere.

The EZVIZ Smart Home 1080p Security Camera System boasts a stunning high-definition 1080p resolution for crisp and clear day vision. At night, the cameras will automatically switch to night vision for clear video even in complete darkness, up to 100 feet away. Each camera has an impressive 107.5° viewing angle that allows for greater visibility and coverage without compromising detail. Each bullet camera is also built to be weatherproof and dustproof, with an IP66-rated operation that means it works perfectly even in extreme temperatures -40°F to 140°F indoors or outdoors.

This security DVR kit comes pre-built with security-grade WD purple hard drive (1TB) that’s protected with multi-layer security and end-to-end video encryption that helps prevent tampering and vandalism on your security cameras. It’s also worth noting that the system supports both local and cloud storage. Footages are saved locally, but only if a memory card is in use. If cloud storage is enabled, and at the same time a memory card is in place, the video will be recorded and saved in both places. You can search for and play back recorded videos on the memory card or via cloud. If the cameras lose connection to the cloud, local storage will continue recording without interruption, thereby assuring you that every moment will be recorded without a glitch.

• Product
• Deals
• Last reviews

REOLINK

(function(f,h,H,t){function u(a,b){n

Start from: $349.99

Best price

amazon.com

Reolink Home Business Video Security Camera System Wired, 8ch 4MP...

$349.99

Buy Now

amazon.com

In stock

Last price update: 2020-05-28 14:44:01

It was very easy to setup and deploy. Hardest part was dropping the Cat6 through the wall (you, of course, don't have to do this, but I like my installations tidy). Went through the startup of the NVR without a hitch and the cameras came on line without any hesitation, and the picture is great.A couple notes -- Update the firmware for the NVR as soon as you get it. It should be the first thing you do.- Update the firmware for the cameras immediately after you update the NVR firmware, preferably before installation (just in case 🙂 )- Remember NOT to send the ethernet to the cameras from the NVR through a router. That will not work. POE needs a direct path.- You'll need minor networking skills if you need to access the NVR from the outside world - i.e. directly accessing the system. This will require port forwarding of your router (assuming you have some firewall in place)- Using the UID system (rather than port forwarding) requires the NVR to be able to talk with Amazon's servers. This is where my concern is. There is nothing from Reolink regarding the security of the data. Since all of my cameras are external, I'm marginally troubled by this. If I had indoor cameras, I couldn't fathom using the UID system. I have no confidence that my data is secure or who gets to see it.- To that end, I've tried using my private VPN to my internal network from the outside (routed so that the requests to the NVR come from a local IP rather than VPN IP), and the app does not like it. To that end, the app doesn't really like anything other than UID access. I'm hoping this will be fixed so I can layer my own security the way I want it and not have my data out of my control.Overall,Installation - 5 stars - way too easySetup - 5 stars - very easy even if you modestly technicalPicture - 5 stars - pretty awesomeNight picture - 4.5 stars - mostly my issue with latent light around and minor blockage of IR LEDs - still pretty goodEase of use - 4.5 stars - again, modestly technical people will find it easy to navigate and useCybersecurity - 3 stars - this one is the hard one if you have inside cameras...who gets to see what you've got on the cameras?Good value, I think - at least for me.

March 20, 2017

Summary: I like it. It has some rough edges. Support is really responsive. Video quality is good.High quality cameras for the price and POE so they are easy to install. The interface is clunky both on the PC side and the console. Note you cannot plug a keyboard into the NVR--you are stuck with the terrible on-screen keyboard.I had one camera that was DOA and they immediately shipped me a new one. They didn't even ask me to return the old one.I am having some ongoing issues setting up a display with the NVR. I have an older LCD panel with a DVI input and the NVR seems to have issues with color space and syncing when using an HDMI to DVI adapter. I can confirm HDMI to HDMI and VGA output work fine. This problem is just frustrating because the DVI-only panel is what I have available as a spare.The color space issue is easily solved by telling your display to expect YPbPr color input (this is a menu option on both my Dell displays). If the wrong color input is selected your display will have a purple tint.The syncing issue seems more random--I have one displays that will consistently sync with the HDMI to DVI cable and one that won't. My TV also won't sync consistently. They will lose sync spontaneously, or won't re-sync after turning off the display.Reolink sent me a replacement NVR which exhibits the same problems as the original one. Again their support is great and they mailed it to me without requesting the old one back first or charging my credit card like most cross-shipping arrangements. I'm still working with their support and I'll update here once we've worked through it.I still recommend this unit despite the challenges I've had (and I suspect most people aren't trying to hook it up to a 7 year old PC display). I've been able to get over the clunky interface and other obstacles since the performance to price is so good--it looks like worst case scenario I may have to buy a small Costco TV with HDMI input for a console display.

October 18, 2016

I'll start with the positives. When I received the product it was well packaged and very hefty. Its always a plus to feel some weight in your electronics. Once I unpackaged it, all the components seemed well built and sturdy. Thats about it for the positives. One of the first things I noticed was a giant sticker on top of the NVR warning you not to hook up the VGA/HDMI ports before powering on the NVR and also ensuring you disconnected the ports after powering down. Very strange and it led me to believe the circuitry design was flawed. As I hooked up power there was a rather sizeable white spark when plugging in the DC connector. After hooking it up there was no video out via HDMI. I don't have a VGA cable or monitor with a VGA port so I could not test that. So there was no local interface which meant I had to hook it up to my network to get inside the NVR to control it. Once I hooked it up to the router the LAN port on the NVR was dead. I was able to add it to my network but I had to use one of the ports for the cameras to get it to work. This defeats the purpose of having a dedicated LAN port. I contacted reolink support and they told me the spark when connecting power was normal (again poor design) and offered some obvious troubleshooting tips. Then they asked that I take a video of what I was doing and upload it to a dropbox account. This all seemed extremely strange to me and more trouble than it was worth. Also a huge problem with the support is that its based in China and they only work during business hours. No 24/7 support. So all support happened via email and it would take a whole day to get a response.I get that in the world of electronics sometimes youre gonna get a dud, but when I am dropping 550.00 on a piece of equipment I expect it to work as advertised and if it doesn't to have access to immediate customer support. Oh and when I did get it working the camera video was pretty poor quality. I was expecting a lot better picture out of a 1440p system.

April 23, 2017

The cameras connect to Network Video Recorder which acts as the control hub for the cameras to record and store videos. It comes pre-installed with 2TB hard drive, allowing you to continuously record video 24/7. You can choose to alternate between continuous recording or motion-triggered event recordings which helps save storage space for longer recording. The system can support up to 16 cameras, and the external hard disk can be expanded up to 4TB.

You can then control and manage the system via PC or using the Reolink app, which is available for Android and iOS devices. With the app, you can remotely access the security system even while you’re away from home. From the app, you can view live streaming, review captured footage, view multiple channels at any time, schedule video recording, and many more. You can also manage capture settings and receive push notifications when motion events occur. From the app, you can configure the system to send you photos or clips (up to 30 seconds) via email whenever motion detection is triggered.

The cameras are built to be waterproof, with a solid aluminum body and an IP66 rating which means you can use them outside in environments where intense rain and snow, or extreme heat and cold, are common. The cameras have an impressive 4-megapixel (2560×1440) full HD video resolution so you can see everything in crisp and clear detail. The cameras also have a wide 80-degree viewing angle, as well as automatic night vision mode that lets you see everything in detail even in total darkness, from up to 100 feet away.

Overall, installing and setting up this security DVR kit is painless, with zero configuration. The system also gives much higher resolution and image quality, making it an ideal choice for those who want a more serious and extensive home security system.

• Product
• Deals
• Specification
• Last reviews

SMONET

Enter your model number to make sure this fits.; 4 Channel 720P Wireless Security Camera System for Villa, Home, Office, Shop, Warehouse or elsewhere(Indoor/ Outdoor). 1TB Hard Drive Pre-installed. ...

Start from: $199.99

Best price

amazon.com

Smonet 4CH 720P HD NVR Wireless Security CCTV Surveillance Systems(WIFI...

$199.99

Buy Now

amazon.com

In stock

Last price update: 2020-05-28 17:43:43

Brand Name	SMONET
Item Weight	8.5 pounds
Product Dimensions	13.5 x 10.7 x 7.3 inches
Item model number	SN-WNK471TB-001
Color	4pcs 720P Cams+4CH NVR(1TB HDD Pre-installed)
Size	720P Wireless System
Manufacturer Part Number	SN-WNK471TB-001

protecting one's property is a right of every person prompting me to install a surveillance system. i was replacing my 4 year old uniden udr444 camera system. low cost and it was great since I installed it but has too much limitation. I did my research and ended up getting the smonet 1080p 4ch with 2tb hdd.PROS-easy to set up auto pair out of the box-1080p resolution, why get a lower resolution if you can add extra $ to get the highest resolution-cams have ir led array (that's why you only see 3 leds) this means ir light angle is wider than conventional ir led's. ir led array consumes less energy so less heat and lastly they last 10000 hrs compared to a regular ir led which is only 1200hrs according to my reserch-installed 2TB hdd. you will get at least 16 to 17 days continuous 24/7 15fps recording in all 4 cams-will auto delete the oldest video if hdd space is needed-multiple cable connections option- has a USB where I plug my wireless mouse to control on my connected monitor (I'm using a toguard 10 inch 1280×800 ips lcd and works perfect)-I can't stop praising, resolution is great when paired with the right monitor-cam has only 3 big ir led but comparable to or better than 8 to 10 ir led's-cam is metal constructed weatherproof ip66 specs-cam doesn't wiggle with high winds (already tested) has an allen screw that bolts it tight-date and time stamped-lots of recording options but didn't bother. I just need to monitor 24hrs a dayCONS-manual is terrible. need to have brain power and knowledge if you are a 1st timer. don't get frustrated though it will all be paid of at the end-like every system out there good signal depends how many walls it will pass through so make sure keep it close (nvr and cams)-records on 15fps, I wish it was 30fps but not a deal breaker. with 15pfs if there is too much movement like the trees and plants moving during windy days you will notice a not so smooth video but hey windy days doesn't come always-ethernet supplied is too short. I need to buy a 14ft one for my needs-no hdmi avg or bnc supplied. extra purchase plus the ethernet if you need longer than 3 ft-no AUDIO I wish there was but not a deal breaker for me-going through settings too is frustrating if you are a first timer but like I said it will be paid of at the endwith everything said I love the system. I just wish it will last more than 4 years compared to my cheap starter system uniden. attached is a photo using a toguard monitor. I didn't regret getting this system. there might be better ones out there but for now this gives me my needs and property is 24hours monitored

April 23, 2017

The selection process in a surveillance system can be challenging and the priorities vary with each user.My highest priority was CUSTOMER SUPPORT, and in an ever changing technological environment, this seller’s customer support, Betty Huang, exceeded all expectations. All issues were promptly responded to, professionally, courteously and with full transparencies!My next priority was COMPATIBILITY with my current hardware technology (High Def 1080P TV, Samsung Android phone, Windows 10 PC, Tablet and laptop) and this Wireless NVR Kit delivered.Next, HIGH DEFINITION video was a must and the camera’s delivered stunning auto focus day and night high definition resolutions.The system was for residential use, so I wanted WIRELESS eliminating unsightly cables like a bowl of spaghetti at the main station/monitoring location, which in my case was my office, and the wireless and surprisingly compact NVR system delivered.Last, which we all consider, was PRICE. The unit is competitively priced compared to current competition for all that it delivers and my second choice was less than $50 lower and it was hard wired and unknown customer support.

October 12, 2016

No problems with this setup at all!!!!It does work on a tv through a hdmi cable!!!!You do not need a special monitor screen!!!!I have it hooked up to a led 40" sony bravio tv!!!1080p is great during the day!!Night vision is great!!!Low light condition is ok!!!I would reccomend not getting anything less than 1080p in a wifi setup i think you loose picture quality in a wireless setup!!!It was super hard picking a security camera system too many brands and features!!!I am completely happy with my purchase!!You need outlets for each camera within 10ft of camera placement.Setup was super fast!!!!!!Just plug it all in and it does its magic and finds all the cameras on its own.Getting the mobile app to work while you are not on the same wifi as the system was tricky! Took me 3hr to figure it out has stuff to do with settings router!System program is not fancy at all but it is easy to understand and use. Lots and lots of features!!!Makes you feel like you have a professional system.

October 12, 2016

It’s a completely wireless system, which means you can finally say good-bye to unsightly cables and say hello to a more beautiful and more discreet connection that keeps the system more secure from intruders and vandals. Simply connect the system to the power adaptors which will supply power to the cameras and the NVR. Meanwhile, the cameras have a sturdy build, with an IP66 rating that makes them able to withstand extreme weather and temperature conditions.

For instant and remote access, simply download the free app to your smartphone or tablet, plug in the cameras, and connect to your local Wi-Fi network. With this free app, you can access Live View and take advantage of the system’s intelligent motion alerts that will instantly send you push notifications whenever movement is detected. The system supports multi-alarm triggered (in case of loss of video, motion detection) and alarm alert (via sound, email, FTP, etc.). This makes everything super-convenient, allowing you to control and manage all cameras right at your fingertips.

The SMONET 720P HD NVR Wireless Security System comes pre-installed with a spacious 1TB hard drive, allowing you to continuously record video for up to 1 week or more.

• Product
• Deals
• Last reviews

xmartO

xmartO Dream Liner WiFi relay tech. Available for xmartO models from 2015. The Dream Liner tech. turns the Wi-Fi cameras themselves to Wi-Fi repeaters. Spending some time to plan your camera route to ...

Start from: $299.00

Best price

amazon.com

[Dream Liner WiFi Booster] xmartO WOS1388-1TB 8 Channel 960p HD...

$299.00

Buy Now

amazon.com

In stock

Last price update: 2020-05-28 18:44:08

It looks great. It's inexpensive. It gets great camera distance from the recording unit. The cameras pair with the unit automatically and reliably. The image quality is truly worth while. And the night vision is fairly good.I should note now so there's no confusion... I am a video specialist and an engineer who runs a 150 camera system daily as part of my job and can literally write the headers for most video codecs by hand. I am not a newbe. I'm a pro user.This unit, has been in my possession for 3 days, and I have yet to get it to play back a single 5-minute segment of recorded video. And my sole introductory test for operating a new video system... is getting it to record, and playback 5 minutes of video. - As another user mentioned the manual does not come with this unit. It's a download from their site. And it may be one of the worst tech manuals I've ever read. - That is not to say I'm having trouble understanding the unit. The unit is dirt simple. It's easily the video surveillance user interface with the fewest moving parts, least confusing menus, and simplest labels I've ever seen. But that accomplishment and a cheap price are a pure, 100% net loss, if it doesn't record and play back.I fully expect to re-write this review and update it with a clarification regarding what the problem was and how it was fixed once I find it, but right now, I'm about 9 hours into wasting time on this device and it's doing the opposite of paying for itself.The hard drive installed is a 2TB WD Purple, exactly as recommended. The entire quick-start guide has been read 4 times and the manual once.That's all I can say for now. - A note for users: The system comes with 2 wide and 2 standard cameras. The cameras look identical but there's a small silver sticker on the back of each one labeling the "focal length" (not in a million years) of each camera. "4mm" are your wider lenses, and 6mm are your narrower field of view lenses. The wider one is about what you'd view through a 16mm in standard 35mm film terms and the 6mm is about the equivalent of a 24-28mm.Good luck. I'll report back when I solve it.*I'm back. / Solved it. But have more to say.*1) What was the error?There's a bad GUI programming decision with this unit where, it can cycle through all the cameras one at a time, displaying them full screen, OR, it can cycle through displaying 4 at a time... in which case, when you have 4 cameras connected... it goes, "Your four live cameras" for 10 seconds... then displays the 4 slots you're not using for 10 seconds with text that says "NO VIDEO". This is not productive. The 8 camera unit is not capable of displaying 4 cameras up all the time. It can show 9 spaces with 4 filled (annoying wast of screen space) or alternate 4 live 4 dead. Those are your options. Trust me on this.HOWEVER... it *appears* there's a workaround. But there isn't.They used the same software for the 8 cam units as the 4 cam units... but the two have different processors. As such, there is a "for engineers only" option in the menu to "switch this unit's software over to being a 4 camera unit" - which... in fact... would display 4 up as desired. But if you press it, it crashes the unit's ability to playback any and all video from any source period, until you factory reset the unit, for certain.Now there is a warning label on that button... sort of. It's appalling broken English and says (THIS IS A QUOTE): "Warning: perhaps cause problem like playback etc. if change device mode"What it should say is: WARNING: Switching this disables all video playback, period, for sure, every time. This is not a user option! This is for our use at the factory and instead of password protecting it we left it on the main menu to save coding costs. Thanks.Do not press that button. - Live with the 9-up display at all times. Problem solved.2) There's another warning missing from this box. If I were writing it basically I'd say: "WARNING: This unit is not our long-range unit. We do sell a long range version and it's right next to this one on Amazon, and it costs an incredibly small amount more. The unit you're looking at right now is the SHORT DISTANCE unit." But they don't like to use words like "short range" in this industry, so you're not going to hear that from anyone else.The long range technology xmartO offers is called Dream Line, and it essentially uses each camera as a wifi relay to extend the range. - Buy that. it works. It's awesome. (Yes, I am recommending another one of their products.) XmartO is good technology. Don't be afraid of it. It's basically just atrocious writing and failure to communicate.And I've already slain those monsters for you above.As you can see, xMartO has written a comment offering to help me as a user to successfully use their product. (Because a tech who is willing to write is a nightmare reviewer.)But I am not reviewing "How this product works if you write a nasty review, wait for a reply, engage with the support staff, and then work out the speedbumps once they approach you." - What I'm reviewing is the PRODUCT and the company's forsight right out of the box in the hands of my sweet old mother.And that, my friends, is a 3 star experience.Buy the Dreamliner series.

June 26, 2016

Amazing System, the clarity of the cameras is Great! Went thru 3 other systems and was getting frustrated with signals and antennas.Finally found a system that works, signals Great to all cameras and play and plug is Fantastic.

November 13, 2015

I have never wrote an in depth review but I am so impressed with this camera system I am going to take the time to do so.It is truly plug and play. If you know how to screw in a light bulb you can install this security system. I have had it up and running in my gym for about a month now that is 15,000 sqft and have had zero issues, passing though wood, glass, concrete, steel etc. Once I hit about 80ft I would start to lose some signal and picture quality but for $6 I fixed this issue. I ordered some 9dbi antennas that screw onto the back of the provided router and solve that problem right away.The picture quality is the best I have seen. I was shopping around for a security camera system for quite some time and took a chance on this company and so glad I did. People are constantly telling me they cannot believe how clear the image is.This camera system meets and exceeds all of my expectations. The night vision is incredible. I can set the cameras to record based on motion detectors too which is nice for the after hour folks that come in to workout, I do not have to scrub through hours and hours of footage, I can simply view when someone triggers the camera to record.I would recommend this product to anyone. It out performs some $2000 camera systems I have seen.

February 17, 2016

Each camera boasts 1.3 megapixels (960p), which is equal to a 720p camera and a 700TVL camera. This brings you crystal-clear HD videos throughout the day. And with the 3 built-in IR LED arrays, you’ll also be kept secured at night with its superior quality night vision, with a coverage distance up to 80 feet. Top this with the camera’s weather-resistant design, with a solid IP66 rating which means they can withstand severe weather conditions and can work without a hitch at extreme temperatures, from -4°F to 140°F. This makes the system ideal for installation anywhere indoors or outdoors.

What sets this wireless security camera system apart is that it’s built with xmartO’s cutting-edge Dream Liner Technology, which is developed to turn Wi-Fi cameras to Wi-Fi repeaters. You may need to spend some time planning your camera’s route to form a Wi-Fi relay but once you do, it will significantly boost the system’s Wi-Fi distance up to 3 times farther – at no extra cost! Without any sort of enhancement, the security cameras will be able to stream smoothly to the NVR from up to 2,500 feet away within line of sight. And with the built-in router, the cameras consume zero bit of your home router bandwidth, making the entire system work even when it’s not connected to the Internet. Talk about flexible!

To be able to remotely control and manage the cameras, simply download the xmartO WallPixel App on your Android or iOS device and use the Cloud technology. This allows you to group multiple systems and view up to 16 channels simultaneously, anytime and anywhere. And instead of just playing back videos on the NVR screen, you can also view playback history from the app. Apart from this, the system also features smart motion detection where you can receive push notifications on your phone or email whenever motion is detected.

The xmartO DreamLiner WOS1388 HD Wireless Security Camera System comes pre-installed with a spacious 1TB HDD that lets you continuously record 2/47, up to 2 weeks.

• Product
• Deals
• Last reviews

Defeway

#productDescription .aplus-3p {width: 970px} .aplus-3p ul {overflow: hidden;} .aplus-3p ul li {list-style-position: inside;} #productDescription .aplus-3p table {border-collapse: collapse !important; ...

Start from: $269.99

Best price

amazon.com

DEFEWAY 8 Channel Surveillance System With 8pcs Night Vision 720P...

$269.99

Buy Now

amazon.com

In stock

Last price update: 2020-05-28 21:43:46

Upon receipt of the camera system, the items were packed securely so no damage was noted. Setup was easy and quick (minus running the cords). The cameras provide a great picture quality when viewed on an HD screen but lacks the quality when viewed on a mobile device. You can tell what is happening but can't make out details of a face or branding on clothing and such. With the HD monitor, you can. Playback from the DVR is simple and provides a great image and clarity as well on the HD monitor. I did also connect up a VGA and HDMI connection at the same time so I have two hard wired monitors and it worked great. I will be adding a HDMI splitter to try multiple TVs at the same time so I can view from what ever room I am in.The reasons for only 4 stars are:1. As mentioned above, mobile viewing is not as clear.2. Playback from a mobile device app seems near to impossible. It tells me connected successfully but then I get the spinning loading icon. I have left it that way for over 15 minutes and a 7 minute clip still would not load.3. You cannot use a Mac to view from the Safari/Chrome/Firefox browsers.I would recommend this to others for the simplicity of install, quality, & price. I will be adding audio to two of the eight cameras soon and will update my review once I have used it a while.

April 26, 2016

My brother asked me to order this for him. He uses it for Paranormal Ghost investigations and also as a home security. He said it was amazing and offered everything he wanted. The video quality is great at 720P

September 30, 2016

Great product. Easy to install. Clear pictures. User interface is a little bit hard to understand and I've been dealing with camera systems for 10 years. It's hard to figure out how to play back certain cameras. You can. It just takes some time to figure out.

June 29, 2016

For easy remote access, DEFEWAY offers a free advanced mobile app called N-EYE, where you can remotely access and view the cameras using your smartphone, tablet, or even PC. From the app, you can live-view and playback footages, and even record and capture moments with the push of a button. The system also comes with motion detection recording, alerts you whenever motion is detected, as well as record motion-triggered events, thereby saving you more hard drive capacity.

The DEFEWAY 720P HD 1200TVL Home Security Camera System supports local storage, with 1TB hard drive pre-installed in the system. At the time of writing, DEFEWAY does not offer cloud storage.

• Product
• Deals
• Last reviews

TECBOX

4 Security Camera System: 4CH DVR/NVR/AVR 3-in-1 with IP67 heavy-duty metal weatherproof bullet outdoor dvr security camera for security and surveillance 1280x720p (1800tvl) HD provides you crystal ...

Best price

amazon.com

TECBOX Security Camera System 4 Channel 720P AHD Home Video...

Buy Now

amazon.com

Last price update: 2020-05-28 21:43:48

 TECBOX Video Security System is pretty awesome. It comes with everything you need to set it up & install it, EVEN though it has all screws for mounting the cameras. It is exact as DIY as I thought.For me, for anyone who understands where wires go, and how they hook up, you will be fine. Overall the installation of the cameras took about 30-45 minutes. The time consuming part was hiding the cord under paneling & moving the ladder around.The cameras are heavy duty & are metal. They're weatherproof which is really great, but I still made sure to try to keep mine under an awning or something so they wouldn't be in DIRECT weather 24/7. They've also got night vision so if anyone comes creeping around at night you can see them. Being in a new area where there's not really anyone up around me to see anything going on, I wanted these. The 4th camera is going in my dogs room so I can see what's going on when I'm not home.I was very impressed with the online and app interface. Most systems have really awful apps, etc but this one is pretty good.As a user, the one thing I'd like on the app itself is a speed button, to be able to speed through tape without having to watch every minute. It can get very tedious just sitting there and watching every minute just to check to see when something was delivered.Overall I'm really impressed by the quality of the cameras AND the quality of the videos from the cameras. I have to say I was pleased for that I can get this to work on my iPhone 6 & it is compatible with the iPhone while many others might have had issues with it. Guess I'll be using my Android tablet for that because I'm not swapping my iPhone for a droid.I feel 100% safer with this system. would absolutely recommend this system.

October 10, 2016

We got this to help keep the bad people out of our yard and from breaking into our house and cars. These were fairly easy to install, but my husband did have some help from his buddy who has installed these types of security systems. The directions were very easy and well laid out to follow along with. Once these were installed and up and running, we checked the quality of the cameras. The audio and visual of the device seems to be a of wonderful quality. You can have your tv screen spit up to show each cameras view or you can have the entire screen on one camera. You can hookup your wireless mouse and us it as a zoom tool and your cameras will zoom in on the area you have in question. The products have a night vision quality and it has proved to be use full and works well. We have been able to keep and eye on our kids in the back yard while i am in side doing house work. I would recommend these cameras for a great price and great quality. I am sure there are better products out there, but for price and customers satisfaction these are perfect. I received this product for testing and review at a discounted price. Although I received this at a discount, I myself rely on these reviews when I buy products so I am giving my honest opinion and being 100% truthful. I reserve the right to update this review upon further usage and testing. If my review was helpful to you, please let me know by checking the yes button.

May 19, 2016

I dont understand all the negative reviews i read. I bought this item despite some of the reviews because i noticed it mainly had to do with setting up the device to work over wifi and mobile in the first place and a lack of understanding how. And as i assumed the product is completely fine. After figuring the settings and hooking everything up and then port forwarding both the local ip and network ip the product works great. While i did have 1 camera that wouldnt go daylight mode unless i shined a light directly into it the seller promptly sent a replacement. I was satisfied enough i bought another for my brotherPros:works great.App works for network viewing just takes a little router iIT knowledge.Good day and night clarity.PriceCustomer ServiceCons:Translation into English sometimes poorSometimes not translated but only in non critical areasMotion Dection on lowest setting still to sensitive.

April 29, 2017

The cameras provides crystal-clear image in any weather, with an impressive 720p HD resolution. The cameras also come built with IR LEDs that let you see what’s going on even in total darkness, up to 100 feet. Each camera also features an IR-CUT filter that automatically switches between day and night to avoid color cast, thereby ensuring around-the-clock security. And with the extra-wide 115° field of view, there’s a wider coverage in each camera, thereby allowing you to see more in a specific area.

For quick, simple, and reliable remote viewing and control, simple download the free XMEye app to your smartphone or tablet. From there, you can control various aspects of the cameras like the multiple recording modes and playback, power on and work automatically, and even record and capture important moments.

Like any other decent security DVR Kit, the TECBOX Security Camera System also provides motion detection recording, with a motion sensor sensitivity that lets you record only when motion is detected. You’ll be notified whenever unexpected movements are captured, with smart push notifications that will be sent to your phone. You can also customize the sensitivity of the motion sensors to prevent false alarms like plants moving in a breeze. This smart recording mode allows you to save precious space on the hard drive, recording at fewer frames per second. Motion will be detected and recorded, and email alerts will also be sent to you so there’s plenty of time for precautions.

• Product
• Deals
• Last reviews

ZOSI

Enter your model number to make sure this fits.; ZOSI H.264 8 channel 1080N/720P Digital Video Recorder ,Includes 4x 1280TVL bullet Outdoor Security Cameras.No include Hard Drive; This 8channel ...

Start from: $70.99

Best price

amazon.com

ZOSI 8-Channel HD-TVI 1080N/720P Video Security System DVR recorder with...

$70.99

Buy Now

amazon.com

In stock

Last price update: 2020-05-28 21:43:51

Cameras are awesome in far as quality; metal and clear view. I can view these thru the App you just have to configure the router to open port 80. Google your model of router of your unsure on how...Night view is fair, clear but I wore a black coat Which appeared as grey on the camera in night view.I noticed they appear blurry if the DVR is bumped or vibrating, move the cables at the connection of the DVR and the blur will discontinue. This is an awesome setup if you know how to set it up and clear the kinks.Ask me for help!

April 26, 2017

Absolutely recommend. Easy to install, setup, and the picture quality is great. I like the fact that we have the control and I don't have to pay a company extra money each month. If you can work a smart phone then you should be able to install this system. If you order the system go ahead and order your hard drive at the same time it will make it easier. Thanks ZOSI.

May 25, 2017

Seriously unbelievable how good this system is for the price!

February 26, 2017

The cameras are bullet type, each of which is built from high-grade aluminum housing that can withstand the toughest environment conditions. And since it’s made from high-quality metal, it can effectively prevent rust, making it ideal to use both indoors and outdoors. Each comes with 3.6mm lens and a wide 75-degree viewing angle that lets you see more in a certain area.

For remote access and viewing, simply download the free ZOSI VIEW app on your smartphone or tablet. From there, you can see all the cameras live, wherever you are. You can also customize recording modes depending on how and when you want the DVR to start recording. Push notifications via mobile and email alerts will be sent to you whenever motion is detected, letting you catch every important moment even while you’re away.

The ZOSI HD-TVI 1080P Lite Video Security System supports USB port backup, giving you the simplest option of backing up and transferring video footages to a USB flash drive. Unfortunately, however, the system does not support cloud storage.

As you can see, choosing the best security DVR kit isn’t an easy task. Apart from pricing and specifications, you also need to keep a close eye on the material (whether the cameras are built with plastic or metal) to see if it could survive harsh weather conditions and temperature.

Through thorough and in-depth analysis, we choose the EZVIZ Smart Home 1080p Security Camera System as the best DVR kit in our list, as it ticks all the boxes, including performance, reliability, and value for money.

But at the end of the day, it’s not up to us to tell you exactly which features are best suited to your needs. After all, the key phrase for selecting the right one is based on “what you need”. Just keep this buyer’s guide in mind and be sure to customize your choice based on your security needs. By deciding your budget and which features you can do away with, getting the perfect home security system won’t be too difficult.

So which of the 10 best security DVR kits for 2018 will you be getting for your home, and why? Tell us in the comments section below!