Review on 📹 D-Link Network Video Recorder (DNR-312L) - Black, HDMI Output, Single Bay SATA HDD Interface, Supports 9 Network Cameras, Standalone Storage Device by Jonathan Arroyo

Update February 4, 2016: NO BUSINESS SOLUTION. I ended up replacing the device, which at least allowed the firmware to be updated. Please note: - If you do not have Internet Explorer and Active X installed with all required drivers, you will not be able to configure the device. Most of my firmware update attempts failed until I found out. Currently, attempts to update the firmware often fail. Even though all firmware in the DNR-322L and cameras is up to date with the latest versions available, this DNR-322L will most likely not recognize your D-Link cameras connected to your network. Despite the latest updates, some camera models do not even appear in the list for manual configuration. I ended up getting some of my cameras to work with this unit by trying to select models from a list using the "closest" model number - EVENT ALERT/E-MAIL NOT WORKING. You have to set it up on EVERY camera if you want to know something happened. - You can see that I'm not alone. Go to forums.dlink.com and search for 62359. You will see a very similar situation that others are facing.- NOISY. It was probably designed for traditional hard drives, so its fan runs constantly and is noisy - about 40dB, louder than most computers, enough to be heard in a quiet room. - After owning this device for two years, I lost all hope that D-Link's ability to build its device's firmware has improved over time. Based on the trust I placed in legacy D-Link products I purchased a number of cameras with this DNR-322L hoping to have an easy and reliable way to record, search and monitor events (Alarm) and check multiple cameras remotely. Had I known that all I was going to get was basic remote access and storage and no improvements to their flawed products, I would have gone elsewhere. ----- ---- --- ----- I bought this DVR hoping to connect and record 6 cameras. First, the camera (DL-932L) is not automatically recognized. I went to the D-Link support site and found that there are different firmware versions. The device was labeled with firmware 1.4 when two 2.x versions were available. When trying to update, I noticed that the device actually comes with version 1.3 and does not support the latest versions. Then I upgraded to the next (1.4), then to the next (1.5), and again every time I tried to upgrade to either 2.x version. D-Link in Brazil - I think because my email address has a Brazilian domain. As explained, I live in the US and wanted to connect the cameras but noticed a problem with the firmware, the same support person wanted to work with the cameras and not the fact that the device doesn't accept updates to firmware version 2. x. Lastly I was asked to call a number that offered me various menu options and after leaving a message I received no response from anyone at D-Link. The product appears to be faulty. I tried updating from different computers by connecting the computer to the same ethernet switch as the dashcam, nothing worked. Also, I keep getting a message on the main live view screen about installing MS C++ 2005 blah blah blah, which I tried to reinstall on my computer, but after trying to access it from another computer , I noticed that it keeps showing the same message anyway. I'm willing to replace this device hoping it was just a detective unit otherwise it's been a lot of work so far not worth the investment. -------------