Review on 💾 Diskless Synology NVR1218: 2-Bay Network Video Recorder by Doug Virden

For privacy reasons I avoided a surveillance system that uploads data to the cloud. I bought this NVR1218 to replace my existing NVR. The whole setup is expensive (NVR $200 + 2 x 2TB drives $120 + 4 additional licenses $200 + 8 cameras) compared to a monthly subscription ($10/month) for other home surveillance devices, but I knew it was going to happen becomes. Performance: Sustained CPU usage (12%, RAM 52%). I set up two streams per camera (Main @1080 7fps and Secondary 640x480 10fps). Uses the camera movement algorithm. I had problems with the LiveView being blank because the resolution was too high, I set the camera setting to 1080 then it works. Good: - Motion detection, local view of the house for a quick look to see everything around the house. - mobile app or browser view Poor: - had to pay for 4 extra licenses (NVR came with 4) - Liveview doesn't support x265 video format (smaller file size) but it seems to be a browser limitation, not software. - Can record in 4k but very slow. 1080 is enough for my purposes. Wishlist: - Face recognition. I just want to be notified when strangers come to my door. Take a picture and send it to my phone.