Review on Swann 8 Ch 4 Cam Security Sys, Wired Surveillance 1080p HD DVR 1TB HDD, Audio Capture, Weatherproof, Color Night Vision, Heat & Motion Sensing Warning Light, Alexa + Google, SWDVK-845804WL by Ashton Dahmer

I currently have a 10-11 year old Swann DVR and 8 camera system in my house and have been very happy with it for many years. I also use a Defender 4K system with 4 cameras (reviewed separately). When I saw this Swann system becoming available I took the opportunity to review it and decided to install it in my outhouse. This system includes everything you need to set up 4 included cameras and allows you to add up to 4 additional cameras later. For my testing, I added a couple of non-Swann cameras (an old PTZ camera and a standard security camera). Both cameras worked reliably in my old Swann system but were replaced with better cameras and kept in boxes for years. through the menu screen options and start recording without too much trouble. The system came with two sets of basic instructions (in English or Spanish) on very nice, colorful fold-out sheets. Those papers rephrased something you might see if you look at the menu, but we're glad we have it anyway. - The hardest part about getting up and walking was drilling cable holes, running cables, and installing cameras. - Video included from the cameras are sharp and clear during the day and very good at night. I really like that the cameras have a light that you can turn on when motion is detected so people know they're being watched. The system has been running flawlessly for about 2 weeks. The camera works fine but my PTZ doesn't Swann doesn't work. I get the video but can't move it even after rechecking the wiring (+/- problem) and confirming the setup is correct (Pelco D etc). It's an old camera that has been in the crate for over 3 years so I won't blame Swann. It may just be "Flash" but I am presenting it here for your convenience. - The documentation provided tells you very little about how the DVR works and gives you little information on how to set up/set up most of its features access them. In order to get full instructions I had to: 1) connect to the Swann website; 2) Search for the model of my system; 3) Download and print the 43-page document. The documentation provided does not show how to activate motion detection or how to activate the built-in light in each of the included cameras. I tried setting up these features using the menu and clicking on something I thought would work on my old Swann system to no avail. After having the 43-page guide and finding the "Motion Detection" section, I was able to get both to work. Top 3 privacy concerns: 1) You can't just connect to your DVR and view feeds from the camera with the app. on your phone. You must first create an account on the Swann network and then log into that account to view video from the camera. That means Swann has access to every video inside and outside your home. Whatever your cameras see, Swann will see it. - 2) In order to connect your system to the internet (so that you are constantly sending videos to Swann), you must provide Swann with the information it will use to determine your precise location. I can understand their logic with 1) "almost" above, but I'm completely baffled as to why they need the latitude and longitude of my house? That way they know exactly where you live and can see everything your cameras see. - 3) The DVR can be configured to send email notifications when motion is detected by any of the cameras. However, in order to set up these notifications, you must provide Swann with your email address AND password for your email account. What? - When I summarize these three requirements, I have a very unattractive picture of what can be done with this information. So I didn't proceed with setting up this system for networking and I can't tell you if there are any other red flags during the process. At this point I unplugged the ethernet cable and erased everything I had previously typed. All in all, ViewSwann has created a very powerful security system that allows you to extend it according to your needs. The video from the supplied cameras is clear and the hard disk capacity is sufficient for several weeks of continuous recording. For its functionality as a stand alone system (not connected to the internet at any point for any reason) with motion activated lighting on cameras I would give it 5 stars. This system has many, many features that you cannot easily set up without a full guide. The fact that they don't provide the comprehensive instructions a customer needs to fully utilize this system would bring my rating down to 4 stars. It's bad customer service, bad marketing and just plain cheap. Requiring customers to give up their privacy. WATCHING YOUR OWN VIDEOS online is fun. People buy a security system to protect their privacy and not give it away to a bunch of faceless strangers. In my opinion, this means that all the other stars are gone. As a security system designed to connect to the internet and allow customers to store and view their videos online, I give it 1 star because Revain doesn't let me put any less. ***** This review was written last week, but I've been at it ever since. I checked the dashcam today and noticed that a few days ago it stopped recording video because the 1TB hard drive was full. Fool, I thought I set the system to record permanently and overwrite the oldest video when it's over. After all, I think having a 43-page detailed guide is a handy little thing. Of course I would benefit from having pre-printed instructions for use included in the box and I wonder how many other customers hit that wall and then have to scour the internet to download the instructions.