Swann 8 Channel DVR 8 Cameras SWDVK-889008

This security camera system provides us with everything we needed. Installation is pretty straght forward as you just plug everything into the proper inputs on the back of the dvr and to the power supplies and it works. The actual running of the cables is not easy. I have never liked working in the attic. However, I wll admit that this is the first time I have been in my attic that I did not have to repair a ceiling due to putting a foot or a knee through it. I ran the cables through a closet from the attic to my family room. The 60 ft. cables were long enough for 6 of 8 of the runs. I had to buy longer ones for the other 2. I did not know they were too short until I had already run them. The extension cables plugged right into the ends of the ones that were too short so I did not have to start over. A little better measuring on my part would have allowed me to just buy the longer ones to begin with.

One negative is that the extension cables come in 66 and 100 ft lengths. I only needed about 20 feet and would have liked to have been able to buy some that were 25 feet. The price of the additional cable ordered through Amazon was very reasonable. Less than 50.00 for 4-100 foot cables. I checked with my local electrical supply company and they could have made the cables to custom length with the correct end connections. However the price for a custom cable of 25 feet was about 50.00.

The cameras are fixed focus so the image is focused at the middle of the coverage area for each camera. The image quality is good enough to recognize people but you are not going to be able to read licence plate numbers. Good photo editing software might make this possible. My driveway is about 75 feet long and the range is excellent well beyond that. Night vision is also very good. With my porch and driveway lights on the range is as good as it is in daylight. For the price I paid for this system I am very satisfied with the quality. If you want better quality it will cost more.

The operating manual is written for someone who knows a thing or two about networks. It uses jargon terminology and acronyms that most lay persons including me do not understand. Navigation of the menu items to set the color and contrast levels of the cameras, recording preferences is pretty straight forward. Establishing the network connections needed to view the system remotely was difficult. However, customer service is excellent. I called them and they used a remote login to my computer and set it up for me in about 10 minutes. I would recommend doing this from the start instead of trying it on your own. I did not try connecting to a smart phone because I do not have one.

The system has been running for about a month and has worked without any problems. If my door bell rings I can check to see who is there before i open the door. Overall I am very pleased with this system and would recommend it to anyone who needs or wants to record what goes on around their property or business.