$79 after $20-off code. The RE4 series is a top-notch drive with a 5-year warranty. It’s excellent for DVR applications and 24/7 server environments. This is overall probably the best drive WD makes.
$84 for an AV-rated green drive. Has a 3-year warranty. This would probably be the best choice for this application because they run cool. I use the 2TB version of this drive in an eSATA enclosure with my FIOS DVR.
So, the most expensive drives are the “regular” drives with the shortest warranty…
It isn’t too shabby…we’re not talking HD or super high quality, but it’s pretty clear / good color during the day, and B&W (IR illuminated) during the night was decent. Call it surveillance cam quality, you’ll be able to see things that go bump in the dark.
I’m speaking of the CCD cameras that came with the kit I bought a few weeks ago(different than this). This one here comes with CMOS cameras, which perform differently than CCD…generally speaking, CCD performs better than CMOS in low light situations and is less ‘noisy’ (image noise), but both technologies are quite usable. Keep in mind, it doesn’t matter if it’s CCD or CMOS if it’s a crappy camera to start with. In my experience, these Zmodos don’t seem to be super high end, but I wouldn’t call them crappy either… they do a do a good job for the price.
Email them or call them…I did both, and they were extremely helpful & quick in responding. Try searching their FAQs or videos, some details are better presented there than in the manual.
Yes, because this Woot system has cameras that are 480 lines of resolution, while the above linked system has cameras with 420 line of resolution. But, the extra 4 cameras may make this a good deal for some…
My experience with these types of cameras, the ones with the IR LEDs ringing the outter edge of the camera is as follows:
Once the camera glass gets dirty the IR light gets reflected back into the camera and causes a washed out nightime picture. I wish they would provide a regular CCD or CMOS camera without IR LEDs and I would purchase a separate IR illuminator.
Eraie is right, you don’t need a hard drive to view the cameras remotely. You actually do however have the ability to record footage while viewing remotely which stores the video on the computer you’re using to view the footage. What you don’t have the ability to do is have the DVR make the recording for you automatically.
what is thw width of ‘field of vision’ for cameras? how do you install 4 ceameras to cover the full exterior of a house? do the power and video cable come withit
Old school analog cameras and DVR, the 80’s are back again. The world has gone past this and evolved into networked cameras with HD resolution. Check this blog at http://ipcamnetwork.wordpress.com
Very simple to add the hard drive. I purchased this system and added my own hard drive. Had it up and running in no time. Everything is self explanation. The manual is a bit tough to understand, but its all very basic. The hardest part is running the cables.
Could you please elborate on how you installed the hard drive? Did you format first using Linux or does the machine format the drive itself? Is there a Zmodo interface one can see via the RJ45 port on the back? You said the manual is a little tough to read, what makes it so difficult? Is it a language translation problem? Thanks for your help. I too want to install my own hard drive, most likely a 2 TB WD, Thanks !
Here’s something I’m a little concerned about (unfortunately, after placing an order): can it be setup (and fully controlled) via the network connection? I don’t have a monitor to hook up to it directly.