I bought this to record security cameras installed in storage containers with off grid solar 12v dc and battery storage . Works well but it does have a learning curve to operate as the supplied manual is simplified. Minor issue to overcome but I took off 1 Star.
It does require a security rated hard disk drive and I went with the WD purple 2TB drive also from Amazon.
I’m using a combination of 12v wired security cameras I had and all work ok with this recorder.
The recorder comes with a AC to 12v Power Supply I’m not using.
A little tech talk about powering it and the cameras from a solar charged battery system 27/7.
The concern was about the 12v batteries going to 14 v high or going to low 10v between sunset and sunup and shutting the security system down.
I’m using 2ea 5A max buck boost regulators paralleled thru Schottky diodes both set for 12.8v output. This supplies the recorder and cameras a solid 12.5 vdc at up to 10A peak even if the batteries are over 14v or 10v (or lower).
The recorder doesn’t have the min and max voltage listed and neather does the cameras.
I plan to purchase another recorder once this and my power setup has some time on it.
I haven’t tried the motion detect mode but that’s next to save wear on the hard drive.
Over all I’m pleased with how it works for my application.
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Reviews with images
Replaced a useless system for a great price!
I had found a system by Uniden that had four cameras and a 1 TB hard drive. Honestly, the software for that system was so bad that it rendered the entire system unusable. For a year I have been watching this system and finally pulled the trigger.I got it the next day after ordering. Physically, the hardware is identical. I removed the 1 TB drive from the Uniden system (which was a normal Toshiba full sized drive) and installed it into the new DVR just to see what it would do. The mounts look like they are for a laptop sized hard drive, but I got one screw to mount. As long as you can get that. You're good. I fired up the new box. It first formatted the old drive and in a few minutes it went straight to the user set up. After a little poking around, I found that there is not a password set up, so I left that blank (PLEASE set up a new password that is secure once your set up is complete) I went through the set up wizard and within about 10 minutes the system was up and running.The interface is fairly clunky. And I had to input my internet up address manually as it was picking up won't information. But, in comparison to the Uniden box? This is light years better!The app is useable. It's not perfect, but once again, it's better than the Uniden system because I can actually use this one.I may upgrade the hard drive to a 1TB solid state one since they are pretty cheap these days. But overall I'm happy with my purchase.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2017
Inexpensive But Fully Functional And Loaded With Useful Features
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2017
If you're looking for fancy graphics or whistles and bells, this unit isn't for you. But if you're looking for a very reasonably-priced, fully functional DVR that will run up to 8 cameras (both HD and analog), simultaneously broadcast images to multiple video out lines, and allow you to easily monitor and record using your IPhone, then this unit is perfect. English instructions have to be downloaded, but the functioning of this DVR is pretty intuitive and easy to figure out. There is no video out, but there is both a HDMI out and a VGA out. I hooked the VGA to a computer monitor in the cabinet where I keep the DVR and I used a HDMI to AV converter together with a splitter to broadcast the signal from the HDMI out to 4 other televisions in my home. A simple flip of the input switch on my TV tuner to AV brings up images from all 8 cameras. The picture quality is good and can be adjusted to provide more vibrant color and brighten the images. After installing a 1gb hard drive (easily done by unscrewing 4 screws, removing the cover, and plugging in the hard drive), I can capture up to a month of video recording before the drive rerecords over. To preserve space on the hard drive, and in lieu of continuous loop recording, you can activate a motion detection feature that records only when motion is detected. This DVR is not wireless so to connect to your home network you must use an ethernet cable. However, once connected to the Internet, the phone app is easy to set up and easy to use. Image quality on an IPhone is good, and you can both record and take still shots using your phone. All in all for the price, this is a great little unit. I highly recommend it.
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2017
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Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2020
I got it the next day after ordering. Physically, the hardware is identical. I removed the 1 TB drive from the Uniden system (which was a normal Toshiba full sized drive) and installed it into the new DVR just to see what it would do. The mounts look like they are for a laptop sized hard drive, but I got one screw to mount. As long as you can get that. You're good. I fired up the new box. It first formatted the old drive and in a few minutes it went straight to the user set up. After a little poking around, I found that there is not a password set up, so I left that blank (PLEASE set up a new password that is secure once your set up is complete) I went through the set up wizard and within about 10 minutes the system was up and running.
The interface is fairly clunky. And I had to input my internet up address manually as it was picking up won't information. But, in comparison to the Uniden box? This is light years better!
The app is useable. It's not perfect, but once again, it's better than the Uniden system because I can actually use this one.
I may upgrade the hard drive to a 1TB solid state one since they are pretty cheap these days. But overall I'm happy with my purchase.
Replaced a useless system for a great price!
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2020
I had found a system by Uniden that had four cameras and a 1 TB hard drive. Honestly, the software for that system was so bad that it rendered the entire system unusable. For a year I have been watching this system and finally pulled the trigger.Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2020
I got it the next day after ordering. Physically, the hardware is identical. I removed the 1 TB drive from the Uniden system (which was a normal Toshiba full sized drive) and installed it into the new DVR just to see what it would do. The mounts look like they are for a laptop sized hard drive, but I got one screw to mount. As long as you can get that. You're good. I fired up the new box. It first formatted the old drive and in a few minutes it went straight to the user set up. After a little poking around, I found that there is not a password set up, so I left that blank (PLEASE set up a new password that is secure once your set up is complete) I went through the set up wizard and within about 10 minutes the system was up and running.
The interface is fairly clunky. And I had to input my internet up address manually as it was picking up won't information. But, in comparison to the Uniden box? This is light years better!
The app is useable. It's not perfect, but once again, it's better than the Uniden system because I can actually use this one.
I may upgrade the hard drive to a 1TB solid state one since they are pretty cheap these days. But overall I'm happy with my purchase.
Images in this review
