Recommend a DVR?

**evilsatan** · 8th March 2013

I have a mate who has CCTV in his restaurant but the DVR box is screwed as in it will not obtain an IP address from the router even though DHCP is set and when I set up manual IP it still will not connect. I tried everything with this last year so now the time has come to replace it.

I am looking for an 8 channel DVR, HD output is a bonus but not required. Just has to have the ability to access remotely on an iPhone, my provider of DynDNS is No-IP so compatibility with that service would be great or else I will replace the router too so I can configure DynDNS there. Other than that it just needs a decent sized HDD to store say a months recordings from all cameras, option for a DVD recorder would be good.

I was looking at Maplin, is that generally the place to look or is there somewhere better? Not after anything too high-end.

Cheers

**Mobileman** · 8th March 2013

Securix units look pretty good from what I've read not seen one running though

**psxcity** · 8th March 2013

as always depends on what you want to spend this one cover moat of your requirements
http://www.spycameracctv.com/spycame...and-wap-access

**BigBird** · 9th March 2013

Be careful what u recommend. I bought an Avtech 8 channel DVR last year with a 1TB hard drive. Total crap. Video out quality is shit even though I have a high end Sony PTZ camera. When the camera is connected direct to the tv or a video recorder the camera quality is brill.
Build quality is not good. The hard drive rattles around inside held only by two screws. Getting video off the dvr is a pain in the arse and the quality is crap. Cost me �160 at the time.

Another thing is that the PTZ function doesn't work. When I contacted the seller he told me that even though Pelco D was a standard protocol, some dvr's don't work with some cameras. Should have sent it back but needed it at the time. Going to build a PC based CCTV recorder next using a video input card. Will use the 1TB video hard drive from the Avtech DVR and probably dump the rest of it.

Make sure your mate specifies his exact needs and tells the seller that it will be sent back if it doesn't meet his exact requirements. There are a lot of cheap (sub �200) ones out there but I doubt if any of them are worth the money. (">>

**hoponbaby** · 9th March 2013

I've got a 4 channel securix one (from Maplin) and am very happy with it, streams nicely over lan to pc & the iphone app is good.

**Mobileman** · 9th March 2013

Originally Posted by hoponbaby

I've got a 4 channel securix one (from Maplin) and am very happy with it, streams nicely over lan to pc & the iphone app is good.

i had been looking at these hence my post missed out on the ebuyer deal not long ago at �229 for the 2 indoor 2 outdoor cams 500gb pvr deal, would be nice to see couple of screen grabs if poss of day and night quality

sorry evil for hijack

**evilsatan** · 9th March 2013

No problem matey, fill your boots

Cheers for all replies, will look at them all properly on Monday

**Soulassassin** · 9th March 2013

I have the securix 4 cam one too, another vote from me. My only gripe is the android app won't work with ICS. I did post screen grabs on another post a while back, not sure if they are still there though, will have a look.

Just looked, still there,
http://www.digital-forums.com/showth...54#post3523554

**evilsatan** · 10th March 2013

I think the shortlist will be these two as Avtech has been tried by BigBird, anything else to chuck in the mix? I will be looking for reviews now.

Securix SME8 1TB 8 channel DVR - �300 (Over �360 @ eBuyer)
http://www.kikatek.com/P278883/SME8-...8-1TB-CCTV-Kit

Swann TruBlue 1TB 8-channel DVR - �240
http://www.maplin.co.uk/trublue-1tb-...-access-661182

**Mobileman** · 10th March 2013

that swann does look to come with cameras is it just dvr your after ?

**evilsatan** · 10th March 2013

Yes mate just after a DVR, all cameras are already in place just the DVR the previous bloke supplied was a chinese generic box so not a great interface and something is wrong with the network functionality so I can't set up remote access for him.

**Mobileman** · 10th March 2013

seen the sme8 with 500gb refurbished with manufactures warranty for �170 on ebay, could swap drives or use 500gb ??

**evilsatan** · 10th March 2013

Sounds good mate, might give that a crack then

**hoponbaby** · 11th March 2013

Originally Posted by Mobileman

i had been looking at these hence my post missed out on the ebuyer deal not long ago at �229 for the 2 indoor 2 outdoor cams 500gb pvr deal, would be nice to see couple of screen grabs if poss of day and night quality

sorry evil for hijack

Np, I'll see if I can get a couple. The NV was good enough to grab a decent picture of the scumbag that tried to nick my car a couple of months ago - police recognised and charged him, with the addition of a floodlight it's very good. Day is good enough to see the rain bouncing off the drive

Originally Posted by evilsatan

I think the shortlist will be these two as Avtech has been tried by BigBird, anything else to chuck in the mix? I will be looking for reviews now.

Securix SME8 1TB 8 channel DVR - �300 (Over �360 @ eBuyer)
http://www.kikatek.com/P278883/SME8-...8-1TB-CCTV-Kit

Swann TruBlue 1TB 8-channel DVR - �240
http://www.maplin.co.uk/trublue-1tb-...-access-661182

If you go for the securix and it comes with external camera's I'd be interested in them. I went for the kit with 2 externals and 2 internal domes so would like another couple.