ANNKE Wired CCTV Security Camera System Outdoor with Audio, 8 Channel 5MP DVR with 4x Audio Camera, Color Night Vision, 1TB Hard Drive for 24/7 Recording Home Security Systems, Human/Vehicle Detection

This ANNKE CCTV system with DVR has four included cameras. Overall I’m very impressed. Starting with installation, the cameras come with drill templates, wall plugs, and screws suitable for solid external walls. Each camera is clearly marked with an “UP” indicator, which makes orientation obvious when fitting. One of the best improvements over older camera designs is the mounting system. You don’t have to loosen and tighten lots of small screws to adjust the angle. Instead, the camera rotates within its housing, so you can fully position it after the bracket is fixed to the wall. No tools needed for fine adjustment, which makes installation much quicker and easier. The system comes with four cameras that support audio. Each camera has a built-in microphone, and the supplied cables carry both video and audio over the main camera connection, with a separate power lead. At first, this is slightly confusing because the DVR only has one dedicated audio input, but in practice the camera audio works over the video connection and the extra audio port appears to be for an older type camera. Initial setup was mostly straightforward, although I did hit a small issue during activation. When setting the password on first boot, the on-screen keyboard didn’t appear at first. Once the DVR was connected to the network with an Ethernet cable, the keyboard worked normally and setup continued without problems. Registering the device in the ANNKE Vision app was simple and remote access worked as expected. The cameras support multiple video modes (TVI, AHD, CVI, CVBS), selectable using the button on the camera cable. This is mainly for compatibility with older DVRs. On this system, TVI gives the best image quality, (according to the Internet) while the other modes are useful if you’re reusing older equipment. Night performance is very good. Each camera has both IR LEDs and a white LED for colour night recording. You can choose IR only, colour night with the white light, or turn both off depending on the location. The colour night image is clear. There doesn’t appear to be Alexa integration, but the mobile app works well and push notifications for motion and smart detection are reliable. Playback is easy to navigate and motion events are clearly marked. Overall, this is a very solid CCTV system. You get four good cameras, a capable DVR, long cables, power supplies, drill templates, and a reliable mobile app. I’ve used ANNKE systems before and they’ve been consistently good, and this one is no exception. A worthwhile upgrade to get LED white light camers with audio and a DVR that supports them with smart motion sensing that identifys people or cars from other things pretty accurately.

Well, I did write a fairly detailed review but either Amazon or Chrome threw a "wobbly" just as I posted it and it was all gone! So here is a brief review. My main requirement was to have PIR motion detection and 1080p - this kit seemed to be the most reasonably priced and, as it turns out, very good quality. That's not to say you won't get any spurious false alerts, you still do, BUT over the course of 24 hrs this might average out at about 10 instead of the hundreds I could get on my old system with conventional motion detection. Of course even the PIR false alerts MIGHT me something the heat detector has seen which is actually outside of the cameras view as it is a separate sensor and not looking through the lens. In any event it generally works very well and if, like me, you like to review some of the alerts regularly then it generally means that most clips have some useful content rather than just some rustling leaves! I just wish that the manufacturers (most of them not just Annke) would devise suitable firmware/OS/web server for their devices that allowed you to view video in any of the common modern browsers as this currently requires a "plug in" which will not run due to security considerations. Yes, I have read all the help files and tried ALL the "fixes" and browsers. You can download a program called "Guarding Vision" from Annke which WILL run on the PC AND allow you to do most of the settings and view the video etc. remotely on your PC. The downside is it seems to run in some sort of "virtual box" and therefore is very slow to load and exit. It is also a totally different GUI to the devices web server or direct on monitor layout so it is yet another fairly steep learning curve. As my DVR is in an outbuilding I decided it was easier to just purchase a dedicated monitor (HP 21.5") to connect directly to the DVR to allow direct access to any of the settings or tweaks necessary from time to time and I use the Annke Vision app on my phone and tablet for live view or to review any alerts etc. which works well. The build quality is very good, especially the cameras which are easy to adjust. Installation was straight forward as the cables for the cameras are a single 5mm diameter approx run which splits into two, power and video, just at each end. Maybe the DVR case is a little on the flimsy side. I did have a problem with 2 of the cameras (at separate times) and Customer Support/Technical Support has been excellent with both problems resolved promptly. It would be nice if it had Google integration (or even IFTTT) so I could view a camera live on the domestic TV by voice command but even much more expensive systems that do seem to be unreliable using this function. As it is I have a 4 camera system, with PIR detection, 1Tb hard disk, 1080p recordings view-able from anywhere and even with the addition of a nice dedicated monitor the cost was less that £260. Even better it all works without the need to subscribe to any "cloud" storage or repeated prompts to do so! Recommended - and I certainly would never go back to a normal motion detect system.

Like: kit comes with everything you need to set up a CCTV surveillance system with HDD recording and motion capture. Very sensitive motion detection and alarm. Automatically switches from daylight to infra-red light source at night - gives quite good pictures under either condition. It will send you notifications by email with attached picture of any motion detection. Can also be set to give audible alarm from DVR when motion detected - useful warning of activity, such as approaching visitor. When installing cables they plug together easily and you get a good length supplied, but you can buy further extension cables. Dislike: too much 'jargon' in the instruction manual with numerous acronyms assuming installer has a level of understanding of video cameras, internet connections /networks etc. some images in the guide book are poor quality and you have to reply on descriptive guidance only. Guide is a little complex in some places but perseverance and common sense will usually prevail, plus searching the Annke website FAQs. Getting email alerts requires connecting the DVR to your internet router via a home network - a power-line adapter seems to work well. The plugs on the ends of the cables require around a 16 to 19 mm hole in the wall/ceiling. Overall: a little disappointed with image quality (don't expect to read the headlines of a newspaper in the image) but it gives reassuringly clear images day and night which would enable identification of any intruders or visitors. Good also for internal monitoring of your home and the ability to live stream on your smartphone if away from home.

I had an older CCTV system from this manufacturer and decided to renew it with this system, I wanted 8 cameras in total so bought an extra 4 pack of bullet cameras of the same spec for it. Firstly let me say what a difference these are to my old ones , the image quality is far superior both day and night and the quality of the cameras themselves feel heavy and well built with a nice white finish. The one thing I didn't like at first after installation was the flashing white light when motion is detected and after contacting the seller they have sent me a link on how to turn this feature off, however . . . . after living with it for a week or so I've come to like it as it is VERY noticeable at night time and whilst there is a single red led that is permanently on it is subtle but when the white light flashes upon motion detection it would certainly make would be thieves realise that their presence had been noticed !. The DVR itself is very quiet and the menu function is easy to navigate for settings etc, I have mine set to 1 + 7 which shows one larger picture and 7 smaller, the one thing I'm still trying to set is that during the day it stays on this setting but at night seems to change to a single image of another camera so I have to click 1+7 again slightly annoying but hopefully will figure that out or if anyone else has could they let me know how to stop it ? My overall opinion for the performance , quality and price of this system is excellent so much so that I ordered another for my Mum and can highly recommend it.

As a CCTV unit, it is very good, picture quality is reasonable although it doesn't seem that you can buy additional cameras as the same type as the kit. What really lets this unit down is the software, app is reasonable but don't expect it to be easy to set up email notifications or access the init via a PC unless you know how to configure IP addresses, and all the other coding etc that goes with emails, networking and all that other stuff. The software with the unit is basically horrific, very cheap, clunky and extremely un user friendly. If you just wan a basic CCTV system then this is fine, if you want remote access etc then forget it.

Really happy with this CCTV system. Everything arrived well packaged and the setup was straightforward, even without much prior experience. The picture quality is clear both day and night, and the cameras feel solid and well made. Motion detection works reliably and the system does exactly what it’s meant to do. For the price, this is excellent value and gives real peace of mind. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a reliable wired CCTV setup.

I have been retired for over 25 years. I was a Tecnician on the Signalling Dept on Londons Underground for 45 years. Being 84 years of age and getting a little forgetful I wondered if I was up to purchasing and Installing the Annke Security Camera System in my Bungallow. I have always carried out work in my home myself. So with a little apprehension I duly purchased THE ANNKE 8CH 5MP DVR CCTV Camera System from Amazon. On receiving the item I duly read through the installation instructions and duly worked out where I would put the 4 cameras so as to give me a good Camera coverage of my Bungallow. The installation was quite easy. I ran the required Camera cables from where I was going to put the Receiver to each of the 4 cameras in the loft space. Eventually on powering up the system via the very clear and precise instructions that came with the package. I had a good time in adjusting the camera views and I eventually had a Security Camera System that I am proud of. Most of the adjustments required I could work out. But when the clocks went forward due to the British Summer Time I found that the time showing on the cameras were showing the wrong time...being hour adrift. I contacted ANNKE about the problem and they immediately gave me the answer. There is a box that has to be "ticked" marked Auto DST. I duly ticked this box and that did the trick. I did have one other item with regards to having "Motion Detection" or "Real Time Camera" operation....you can have one or the other but it is up to the individual as to what you may require. I have alot of pleasure by watching myself on the Cameras when I am outside working. The picture quality is really good Day or Nightime. Finally I would like to thank the staff at ANNKE who were very quick in replying to my problems which can be a bit depressing from some companies during our Covid Situation....WELL DONE ANNKE........Many Thanks

We bought this product in 2022. It has been a great product. The service has been first class. Definitely recommend. The app download allows you to watch your home security video from anywhere. I would buy an Annke product again definitely. We had a request tonight which is August 2025. Cameras still going strong and Annke support Geraldine was fantastic, stayed with us the entire time, gave us 5 star service and explained everything carefully. Really great company. Thankyou to the team.