I definitely recommend this product. I have experience with computers but had never set up a security camera DVR before, this was totally new territory for me. After doing some research this one seemed to be pretty easy to get configured and recording so I made the plunge.I couldnt have been happier. I like this system for it's ease of use (simple mouse click interface) and it's quick setup. It literally just needs a mouse plugged in (provided in the box) and a camera attached and you're off and running. It also is very easy to access the hard drive for removal or for upgrade to more space. It formats the new drive you place in and starts recording immediately.
This product has a built in web server which is great for remote access. From either a web browse or a small piece of client software (standalone executable, doesnt even require an install) you can access your DVR remotely. From there, you can watch the camera(s) in real time, review old footage or backup a portion of video to your hard drive of the PC you're viewing the DVR from.
Initially I didn't set up the configurable motion sensing option, but after a month or so I tried it out and it's a really great feature. With running 4 cameras, a 500GB hard drive filled up in about a month. Not a big deal, old footage just starts being wrote over, but this means they only have a month worth of footage to go back to. When I turned on motion sensing and then set the areas I cared about motion (i.e. I told it not to care about a spot where a tree seen through a window was always flapping in the breeze) I was able to extend the recorded footage to just slightly more than 2 months worth. That's amazing... two months of video from four cameras on a 500GB hard drive. With 2TB hard drives being quite affordable, I could easily see being able to store 6-8 months worth of footage on a single hard drive, for a typical 10-12 hour a day business.
I also like the option to set up users... I use the built in administrator account, then the owner of the business has an account with basically all privileges but setup (so she cant get in and mess it up accidentally) and then I have also set up a manager account for all her managers to share with less permissions. They are basically allowed to see current footage, review old footage but not save it to their hard drive. When security camera footage is needed, they request it from the owner who then reviews it and downloads the times if deemed necessary. Obviously this is totally configurable depending on the dynamic of the place the DVR is placed in, but the option to configure separate users with specific permissions really is a nice feature.
I liked this DVR setup so much I purchased another. I do computer support for a small business in town who has two storefronts. They asked me to attempt to set up a security camera system for them if I felt like I was able, so I made the attempt and was so successful with the first one they immediately wanted another security system set up in the second storefront. I had no qualms at all about purchasing another of this system, it's really a no brainer. For the price, you cant beat the features it provides and the ease of use. The business appreciated that it only takes at most an hour or two to get set up once you're familiar with the menus.
My only dislike is the manual is pretty poor quality. I basically glanced at it and found the initial administrator password, then didnt bother looking at it again and went through the setup process. Anyone with any kind of computer background can easily set this up without the manual, and even a complete techno-caveman could still have pretty good success without turning to the manual.
So I was in the market for an inexpensive DVR. I noticed this one, and with a Linux OS backed by 1TB hard drive I gave it a chance. I must say I am very happy. And, I am new to the CCTV scene. Don't let the Linux side of things bother you, it's imbedded, no need to fuss with it. You will need to be a little tech savvy to get off and running with it. This is because the written manual is not very helpful. The manual on the CD that you get is a little better. I learned more about it every day for about two weeks and now have its operation down. It worked great with XP and SuSe OS's. Worked great on the following hardware, ML370, HB3320, WRT54GS, DV8300, and T42.
Folks it's a damn good DVR for the price. The internet side of things works great. Email motion notifications, Schedule, Viewing over the internet, Motion sensitivity, PIP, and a whole lot more.
Some of the Questions I had about this device that I know now, that I could find an answer to before my purchase, and which might be helpful to you, neither bad or good, are :: The written manual sucks, other than illustrations. Manual on the given CD is good. Some pretty kewl software comes on the CD as well such as a "remote desktop" for taking care of things with another computer, so you don't need an extra monitor for it. The HD is a 1TB Hitachi. I did "kill it" / re-format, on purpose and it bounded right back into shape with no issues. Meaning you can mess it all up if you wish and put it right back in the state it was when new. Yes four channels with an audio input on channel one only. Has video and audio out. Good overall design and feel, solid. Good mouse. Good remote. It will do motion only recording, no need to record all the time. Does FTP well to your own "web space" just fine if your a domain owner. You can watch "anywhere" with the use of the "server" given to you from manufacturer or if your really good, from your own "web space". You can back up to a USB thumb drive or any "drive" via USB. Does great on a network. It can be set up for ADSL, DHCP, LAN, and 3G. It can do PTZ control but I haven't tested that out fully. It can email to ten addresses, and as well have up to ten user accounts each with separate permissions if needed. Selection of "motion zone within picture" if needed. A very annoying alarm for various things which actually is quite nice. Super great picture from the VGA plug in back, so yes there is video out via BNC and a VGA plug for a monitor as well. Cat5 plug in the back for the network. Package had a power supply, CD, Manual, and Remote. Good grief... Not bad for the price.
The device comes from U.S. Security Solutions. Google it. I think there at http://www.ussscctv.com/ now.
So we'll see how she does in the long term but for now up and running 24/7 with out a hitch. It's running three cameras. I will more than likely purchase one more of these in the future. I really dig it. The best to you and yours...
evL
[][][]This is a pretty nice, generic unit that operates as advertised. Packaging was adequate, arrived a little slower than I'm accustomed to (as a Prime member) because it was drop-shipped...but I'm just spoiled.
This is the recorder and remote only, no cameras, mics, monitor or anything else. Just making sure you're paying attention! I've used a bunch of the "off the shelf" product from Swann and Q-See in different configurations, and am using some of their cameras with this recorder at home now.
We're really pretty happy with it. Setting it up to see/change things over the internet would have been a LOT easier with better instructions...but eventually we prevailed. Be prepared to have somebody who is "web-savvy" available to help with this part of the job.
Haven't really put it through any tough "paces"...we just look at the house, the cat, the street to make sure things are as we expect around the house. I'm planning to add a "front door cam", so we can see who's knocking.Rec'd the unit quicker than expected. I have been using this DVR for 2 months now and is working great. The only negative thing I can say is the manual is not very intuitive. I learned most of the functions by trial and error to get it set up the way I wanted. I feel the Software is more robust than other systems I had in the past. I would recommend this unit.This DVR is great as it works perfectly and is easy to set up. The video quality is flawless, unlike many other net enabled DVR units. Overall, this one is a winner.
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