I've only installed 4 of the 16 cameras so far, have set up automatic recording, viewed playback and have also connected remotely via web browswer and android phone, and the system works well. The camera image is good (better than I expected), and the infared/night image is very good, especially compared to three other IP cameras I have installed that each cost $150+.When you consider that this system costs $43.75 per camera, including the cost of the 1TB DVR, I think its a great value (based on $699 divided by 16 cameras).
I easily completed the initial DVR system setup (only a few steps) using the included dvr remote control, included dvr mouse and a TV connected directly to the DVR via HDMI. After that, I used a networked computer to adjust configuration. Its MUCH MUCH easier to configure the DVR via networked computer than directly on the DVR (after initial DVR set up for which you must use the dvr remote/dvr mouse).
The internet setup went very well, but I had already configured my cable modem and router to allow outside access to other IP cameras on my network (that initial set up months ago was a little tricky only because of the way I had Vonage setup, but once I figured that part out, everything else fell in to place).
The software is a little confusing at first, but once you get use to it and its few quirks, it works fine.
The cameras are easy to set up, the tough, time consuming part being running the cables nicely through ceilings and walls. After running the cables, you plug them in and they're connected.
I emailed tech support twice (once about firmware, once about configuring the android app), and got a response later the same day, and that was a Sunday, so I think that's pretty good.
In summary, great value for the price, decent image quality, good remote viewing ability no regrets!
First of all, while it might be easier to purchase a single package, ordering the drive without the cameras allows for much more customization. You can buy the cameras you want, since any analog cameras will work. In choosing I discovered that some cameras are better at wide angle, others are better at distance. If you want detail, you need to focus on a camera that doesn't do as much and is focused for close up detail.
Second, I discovered from working with others to set my system up, the software on all of these is equally clunky and all work similarly. :-( So you will have to put up with the software no matter which brand you buy.
Some things to know if you are new to installing a system ...
The cameras all have dual wiring. You run the wires to a single location where you can both hook up the power and camera.
Up to six cameras run off of the same source, so you don't need separate outlets for each camera. :-)
You will need access to a monitor or television set to set up the cameras and DVR, and for easy watching. This item needs to be next to the DVR. This was the biggest challenge for me. Count on using a power strip for this, 2 outlets for 12 cameras, one outlet for DVR, one outlet for Monitor.
If you prefer to watch via internet, there is software available to watch it on your computer or iPad, but it is kind of clunky. In this case, you need to attach the DVR to the router (no wifi) OR purchase a wifi extender and plug the DVR into that to transmit.
It isn't difficult, but it is complex, and it takes time to think things through about running the wiring, install all of the wires and hook them in, and set everything up correctly. If you aren't very handy, you will want someone to help you to do the wiring and run it.
Think through your purchase before you buy, and get what you need. With a package, it is awfully tempting to install more cameras than you really need. Of course, all those cameras (even unwired) could keep your house safe just by having someone THINK you can video them! Good luck!I have had several issues with this product since I purchased it. All in all it performs reasonably, though there are a number of issues to consider:
The first complaint I have is that none of the computer based viewers seem to offer any way to control the aspect ratio, resulting in image distortion if you are running in full screen, particularly on a modern wide screen display. The effect is much like stretching a 4:3 standard definition display to fit a 16:9 HD display.
The PC software and Web interface (based on an ActiveX plugin) are functional, but not the most intuitive interface. As an example it has defaults for the backup location, however you can't actually backup files until you select the location and apply it though the defaults are visible in the dialog boxes before being selected.
The MAC software is horrible. The version of MultiClient that is available from Q-See's support website won't run on MacOS 10.8.2, and the ViewClient software while functional seems to capture each stream independently, and they quickly become out of sync and non-realtime, particularly when using the "main" stream. The UI for the software is terrible and the playback function is horrible compared to the web interface available only on MS Windows clients because of the ActiveX requirement.
The iPad software is in someways worse then the MAC software. It defaults to a portrait orientation, without regard to how the iPad is oriented at the time. When rotated to a landscape orientation, functional controls often become obscured and inaccessible, making it impossible to access other views or options without going back to the home screen and re-entering the app, which causes it to relaunch.
The iPhone software is slightly better then the iPad version, though it is prone to crashes during playback of recordings from the DVR. Playing one video, and then trying to go back will cause the app to crash, and then have to start all over trying to find the video you were looking for.
A common complaint to both the iPhone and the iPad software is that they contain default to different web ports then what the DVR ships with. Out of the box it is configured for the HTTP port to be 85 (I assume to get around ISP restriction on port 80) as a requirement for remote monitoring (see below). However the iPhone and iPad app both default to port 80 for the "web" port.
Don't have an Android so I haven't tried that application, but by far the best interface for doing ANYTHING on the system is from a Windows PC. A drawback in this day and age when most things are getting to be platform agnostic. Ditch the ActiveX controls!
Camera performance is good during daylight hours or when there is good artificial light. Night time performance leaves much to be desired. In confined spaces where much of the IR emitted is reflected back, image quality is good compared to other camera systems in the same range. However in areas where the space is very open and little of the IR is reflected back the images appear to be washed over with a circular "halo" effect visible.
One of the drawbacks to this system is that you aren't able to record D1 resolution on all channels which I was aware of when purchasing, however its not effectively available if you want to use the motion alerts on those channels. The sensitivity can't be lowered enough to not get a constant alarm when full rate D1, even when masked to only alert for a small area where there is no motion. It seems to work well enough at CIF or QCIF resolutions, so if that is sufficient for any areas you want motion alerts then you should be happy. The ability to not monitor certain areas for motion and not be alerted for things like street traffic is nice, but being limited to CIF is a HUGH drawback for the areas I consider to be the most critical.
I have't manage to get email alerts working yet either. If you are running your own mail server (in my case send mail) you will end up with messages like this in the logs "did not issue MAIL/EXPN/VRFY/ETRN during connection to MSA" I'ver tried forwarding them through a gmail account those fail as well.
Finally if you are really concerned about online security, I highly recommend having these systems behind a real firewall, in my firewall logs I see repeated attempts to make UPD connection different destinations on port 3487. The only connectivity I'll allow to my system for security reasons () is from clients on my LAN or via an IPSEC connection back to my firewall. Devices like this that make outbound connection attempts concern me with regard to data-leakage and possible back doors. In addition to the HTTP port and the "media port" (default is TCP 9000) that the DVR has open, it also has the telnet port (TCP 23) open. The latest firmware doesn't seem to use the default passwords that you can google, so this is a slight improvement, though still disconcerting that telnet is open.
Another concern is that the "web" interface uses the HTTP protocol instead of HTTPS, so if you are not on a trusted network or using a secondary technology like IPSEC all of your information is being transmitted in the clear and subject to being intercepted.
Note that most of my issues with this product are based on the software and its implementation, other then the night time performance of the cameras the hardware seems to be fairly decent to this point. One draw back is the large number of external power supplies required for this system. One for the DVR, and 4 more for the cameras (with a supplied splitter one power supply will power 4 cameras). With all of the cables for the cameras, Ying to power supplies cable management can become a nightmare.This DVR was obviously created to scam people. It's advertised as full D1 but only allows you to configure D1 for 4 of the 16 channels. The remaining 12 channels are capped at CIF resolution which looks awful. Do not buy the QS4816!Great for the price. We bought a few months ago an finally installed 11 cameras. The hardest part is running the wires. After that is is very user friendly. You can customize to the hilt with this system. You can set it up so chosen cameras can run all the time or not at all. You can set it up if 1 camera starts recording they all do.You can set sensitivity of motion to each camera. You can mask out certain areas of the screen on a chosen camera not to record. Night vision is decent, not sure about the 100 ft, but very good playback. I am not even sure I can see 100 ft away even if it did. 2 cameras can be set up with audio and 4 have D1 and the rest are CIF(whatever that means), but I can barely tell the difference during playback. Although I have not done it yet, you can save certain files and even take a snapshot. I am not using the product remotely, so I cannot comment on that. The physical product is very good, 3 axis, so no trouble adjusting the mount. It even has a sliding sun shade. The reason I gave it 4 stars is because of the remote, it will turn the unit off standby but not back on, and had trouble with play , FF and the like. Overall I am impressed with this system. Maybe I can upload some images when I find the time.
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