Swann 8 Channel 4 Camera Security System, Wired Surveillance 1080p HD DVR 1TB HDD, Audio Capture, Weatherproof, Color Night Vision, Heat & Motion Sensing Warning Light, Alexa + Google, SWDVK-845804WL

Concerns about privacy. Right now, I'm working on a ten-year project. Swann, who is 11 years old, is a DVR. At my house, I have an eight-camera surveillance system that I've had for many years and am very pleased with. A Defender 4K 4 camera system (reviewed separately) is also in use. br>br>So, when this Swann system became available, I jumped at the chance to test it out and decided to install it in my outbuilding. This system includes everything you'll need to set up the four cameras that come standard, as well as the ability to add up to four more cameras later. br>br>I added a couple of non-essential items to my test set. Swann cameras (a standard security camera and an older PTZ camera). ) Both of these cameras were reliable on my old Swann system, but they were replaced with better cameras and have been stored for years. br>br>Negativesbr>- The DVR was simple to set up by following the onscreen prompts, and I was able to quickly review the included instructions, navigate the menu screen options, and start recording.
- The system came with two sets of basic instructions (in English or Spanish) on color foldout pages that looked great. These documents were essentially a rehash of what you'd see when browsing the menus, but they're still useful. br>- Drilling holes for the wires, running the wires, and mounting the cameras were the most difficult parts of getting this up and running.
- During the day, the included cameras' video is crisp and clear, and at night, it's excellent. I like that the cameras have a light that you can set to turn on when they detect motion because it alerts people that they are being watched.
- The system has been up and running for about two weeks now with no problems. br>br>Contrary to popular belief, My non- Swann's regular camera works fine, but my non-Swann camera does not. Swann PTZ is one of the few that doesn't. Even after double-checking the wiring (that /-), I still can't get it to move. issue) and verifying that it is properly configured (Pelco D, for example). I'm not going to hold it against Swann because it's an old camera that's been sitting in a box for three years. It could simply be "on the blink," but I'm recording it for your convenience.
- The documentation that comes with the DVR provides very little information about how to use it and how to configure/access most of its features. I had to do the following in order to obtain a complete set of instructions: 1) go to the Swann website; 2) look for the model of my systems; 3) Save a 43-page document to your computer and print it out.
- The included documentation does not include instructions for turning on motion detection or turning on the lights in each of the cameras. I tried using the menus and clicking on things that I thought would work on my older Swann system, but I couldn't get them to work. I was able to get both to work after reading the 43-page instructions and finding the section on "motion detection. "
- br>There are three major privacy concerns: - 1) You can't just use an app on your phone to connect to your DVR and watch your camera feeds. To view your camera video, you must first create an account on Swann's network and then log in to that account. Swann will have access to all video captured inside and outside your home. Swann will see what your cameras don't.
- 2) You must provide Swann with information that will allow them to pinpoint your exact location in order to connect your system to the Internet (so that you can continue sending video to Swann). I can "almost" understand their logic with 1) above, but I'm stumped as to why they require my house's latitude and longitude. As a result, they will be able to see everything your cameras see and will know EXACTLY where you live.
- 3) The DVR can be set up to send you email alerts whenever any of the cameras detect motion. Swann will need your email address as well as the password to your email account in order to configure those alerts. Wha?
- After combining those three requirements, I came up with a rather unappealing picture of what could be done with the data. As a result, I didn't finish configuring this system to work online, and I can't tell you if there are any other red flags in the process. I disconnected the Ethernet cable at this point and deleted everything I had previously typed. br>br>Overall impressionsbr>Swann has created a highly capable security system that can be expanded to meet your specific needs. The video from the included cameras is crisp, and the hard drive is large enough to record for several weeks at a time. I would have given it 5 stars for its ability to function as a stand-alone system (not connected to the Internet at any time, for any reason) with motion-activated lights on the cameras. br>br>This system has a lot of features that are difficult to set up without a complete set of instructions. My rating would have been reduced to four stars if they had not included the detailed instructions required for the customer to fully utilize this system. That's bad customer service, bad marketing, and just plain cheap. br>br> Customers should not be required to give up their privacy in order to watch THEIR OWN VIDEO online. People purchase a security system to protect their privacy, not to hand it over to a group of anonymous strangers. In my opinion, this disqualifies all other stars. br>br>As a security system designed to be connected to the Internet and allow customers to both store and view their video online, I'm going to give it one star because Amazon won't let me give it any less. br>br>****
This review was written last week, but I waited until now to publish it. When I went to check on the DVR today, I discovered that it had stopped recording video several days ago due to a full 1 TB hard drive. I thought I had set up the system to record continuously and overwrite the oldest video when it reached the end, but I was mistaken. After all, having a 43-page set of detailed instructions is probably a useful little thing. Clearly, having a preprinted instruction booklet included in the box would have been beneficial to me, and I'm curious how many other customers will run into this roadblock and have to scramble to find the instructions online.

Riley Galvan

| May 27, 2021

I purchased this camera in order to determine who was causing damage to a chain that secures our company's parking lot. Three different vehicles broke the chain and lock, and I was able to catch them all. One of them was the local police force! A UPS truck was one of the others, and a private citizen was the third. If I didn't have the camera, no one would suspect it was the police department! Swann, I appreciate your help.

Elise Love

| Nov 26, 2021

We connected the cameras as soon as the stucco and roof were finished, but nothing happened! Every single one of the four cameras is a dud. The DVR is powered up, an account has been set up, and the TV is picking up each individual channel; however, when connecting the video cables to the DVR's terminals, they do not power up, despite multiple attempts with different cables. Even when the cameras are connected directly to the DVR, they fail. These cameras are yet another example of how bad consumer electronics can be. When you manufacture your shoddy goods in another country; where it is acceptable to eat dogs, cats, and bats; It's clear that we need to return to the USA MADE good old days when we actually made reliable products that could be relied on. and people literally hurl themselves out of buildings to make our precious iphones, it's a clear indication that we need to go back to the USA MADE good old days when we actually made reliable products that could be relied on. Of course, after the return window had passed, the box was opened and the cameras were tested. Let's see if the manufacturer actually reads this review about how bad their products are and tries to rectify the situation. Take a deep breath and don't hold it.

Carlos Costello

| Mar 16, 2021

There are numerous features included with the security cameras. Because this is a complete kit, there is no need for additional hardware; only the tools necessary to complete the installation are included. The money spent was well spent.

Jerry Pugh

| Jan 19, 2021

I thought the final product was excellent. This was purchased as a gift for a friend who lives in another state. I got everything set up, but it was set up with someone else's email, so I couldn't access it. I attempted to reset the password with help but was unsuccessful. Because I had to return to work on Monday, I couldn't wait until a weekday to call in (my first attempt was via chat). I've been trying to get Swann to RMA it, but I'm having trouble with that as well. I took pictures of my Amazon screen because my gift recipe wasn't up to par. We'll have to wait and see. For the past three weeks, I've been attempting to replace it. My empty house, on the other hand, sits in a bad neighborhood with no eyes. By the time I return down there, I hope I haven't been robbed blind.

Edwin BEVAN

| Aug 12, 2021