Questions & Answers

Q: QuestionDoes this system need a monitor/mouse/keyboard OR is it APP driven controlled via smartphone and/or tablet?

Asked 7 months ago by ARGY.

• A:Answer It comes with the mouse. A keyboard is not needed. It has HDMI output so a TV can be used. The display will be needed to set up but it can operate without the display once set up.

  Answered 5 months ago by kanabr

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Q: QuestionAre this cameras always Recording.? Do they reccord 24/7

Asked 7 months ago by SUBORPION.

• A:Answer They can record constant or they can be set to only record when motion or humans are detected. It is your choice and can be selected in the setup.

  Answered 5 months ago by kanabr

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Q: QuestionIt says AI powered. I have has this system now for over a month and there is no AI at all. If there was then it wouldn't tell me a human has been detected when a flying bug goes past or a little cat walks in frame. So what exactly is the AI doing?

Asked 10 months ago by KnucklezR.

This question was asked about the related product: Defender - AI POWERED Sentinel 4K Ultra HD Wired 8 Channel PoE NVR Security System, 8 Metal Cameras & 1TB HDD - White

• A:Answer Hi Knucklez, Thank you for reaching out, and I’m sorry to hear about your recent experience. Our AI Powered Sentinel System is designed to detect humans. To ensure this feature is enabled, please right-click on your NVR screen to view the menu > select Alarm > Motion Detection. Make sure AI Detection is toggled on, and set the sensitivity to Medium (this is our recommended setting). When AI Detection is enabled, the system focuses on human detection. You should also see a red box appear around detected humans if Human Box is enabled. You may also refer to page 18 of the QuickStart Guide - https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0276/7831/0503/files/QSG_Sentinel_Var.A_REV04_EN-FR_08.28.2024_WEB.pdf?v=1730141747 Let us know if you need further help! Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 10 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionIs it re-record audio and video? If yes, after how many days? And can extend more than 1tb storage ? And how I’ll find more than 1 year ago video footage?

Asked 5 days ago by MohammadR.

This question was asked about the related product: Defender - AI POWERED Sentinel 4K Ultra HD Wired 8 Channel PoE NVR Security System, 8 Metal Cameras & 1TB HDD - White

• A:Answer Hi Sadi, Thank you for your questions! I’d be happy to clarify how the system works. Yes, the system records both audio and video, and it is designed to continuously record by overwriting the oldest footage once the storage is full. This ensures there are no interruptions in recording. The number of days your footage is stored will depend on your recording settings: Continuous recording uses more storage, so footage is overwritten faster Motion-based recording uses less storage, allowing footage to be kept for a longer period Regarding storage, some systems allow for HDD upgrades or additional storage (beyond 1TB) depending on the model. Let me know your exact model, and I can confirm your upgrade options. As for accessing footage from over a year ago, this may not be available unless you have specifically backed up those recordings. Since the system overwrites old footage, it typically does not retain data for that long. Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 3 days ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionHello, Can the NVR be configured to store recordings on a network attached storage such as truenas scale or ugreen?

Asked 3 weeks ago by Derek.

This question was asked about the related product: Defender - AI POWERED Sentinel 4K Ultra HD Wired 8 Channel PoE NVR Security System, 8 Metal Cameras & 1TB HDD - White

• A:Answer Hi Derek. The AI Powered Sentinel NVR System is primarily designed to store recordings on its internal hard drive. At this time, it cannot be configured to directly record or save footage to a network-attached storage (NAS) device such as TrueNAS or UGREEN. For full recording storage and continuous video retention, the built-in HDD remains the main and recommended storage method for this system. Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 3 weeks ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: Questionhow does this camera system work with t mobile home internet also how does it handle cold weather

Asked 1 month ago by Wabeno1.

• A:Answer HI! Thank you for your question. The system will work with T-Mobile Home Internet as long as the NVR (recorder) is connected directly to your router using an Ethernet cable (ideally within 30 ft). This allows the system to access the internet for remote viewing through the app. As for cold weather, the cameras are designed to operate in temperatures from -13°F to 131°F (-25°C to 55°C), which makes them suitable for most outdoor winter conditions. Best Regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 1 month ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionWhat's the lxwxh of the head unit looking to add into 10in server rack

Asked 3 months ago by Somungho.

This question was asked about the related product: Defender - AI POWERED Sentinel 4K Ultra HD Wired 8 Channel PoE NVR Security System, 8 Metal Cameras & 1TB HDD - White

• A:Answer Hello there, Thanks for your question! The dimensions of the head unit are as follows: Length: 17 inches Width: 5 inches Height: 15 inches Please let us know if you need any additional details—we’re happy to help! Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 2 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionIn the event that I cannot connect all cameras directly to the NVR, can I connect them to a PoE switch on the same local area network as the NVR?

Asked 3 months ago by cpuman216.

• A:Answer Hello, We don’t recommend connecting the cameras through a PoE switch. The cameras are designed to receive stable, dedicated power directly from the NVR, and using a switch can cause power inconsistencies, which may lead to cameras disconnecting, not powering on properly, or reduced performance. For best results and reliability, we recommend connecting each camera directly to the NVR. Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 3 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionCan you increase the storage above the 1tb? Not using the cloud.

Asked 3 months ago by Bear.

This question was asked about the related product: Defender - AI POWERED Sentinel 4K Ultra HD Wired 8 Channel PoE NVR Security System, 8 Metal Cameras & 1TB HDD - White

• A:Answer Hi there, Yes, the 1TB hard drive is expandable up to 6TB. However, we strongly recommend selecting the larger hard drive before purchase, as opening the NVR to replace the pre-installed drive may void any remaining warranty. Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 3 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionI would like to know if you can shut the flashing lights off

Asked 3 months ago by Anonymous.

• A:Answer Hello there! Yes, you can turn off the flashing lights. This setting can be controlled through the NVR or the mobile app, depending on your setup. Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 3 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionCan I add 4 more cameras to the 8 included cameras and how does that affect the number of channels?

Asked 4 months ago by Jim.

This question was asked about the related product: Defender - AI POWERED Sentinel 4K Ultra HD Wired 8 Channel PoE NVR Security System, 8 Metal Cameras & 1TB HDD - White

• A:Answer Look at it this way, each channel is for one camera. If the NVR unit has eight channels it is capable of supporting 8 cameras total. Hope that helps?

  Answered 3 months ago by Anonymous

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Q: QuestionIs it motion sensor and dos it give me alert on phone when it catches motion?

Asked 4 months ago by Jojo.

This question was asked about the related product: Defender - AI POWERED Sentinel 4K Ultra HD Wired 8 Channel PoE NVR Security System, 8 Metal Cameras & 1TB HDD - White

• A:Answer Hi there! Yes! The AI-powered Sentinel system does have motion detection. The system will alert you when it detects motion, and if you link the NVR to the mobile app, you’ll also receive notifications on your phone whenever someone is detected by the camera. Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 4 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionCan I download a video onto a thumb drive so I could upload it to my computer, or turn the thumb drive over to the authorities if needed. And what is the video recorded as.???.an MP4, wmv, avi if I'm able to download it to a thumb drive.?

Asked 4 months ago by DaveB.

• A:Answer Hi Dave, Yes, you can download video footage directly to a USB thumb drive. This allows you to upload the video to your computer or provide it to the authorities if needed. The videos are saved in MP4 format, which is widely supported and easy to view on most devices. If you have any other questions or need help with the process, feel free to let us know—we’re happy to assist! Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 2 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionDoes this system work with Alexa?

Asked 4 months ago by Alexa.

This question was asked about the related product: Defender - AI POWERED Sentinel 4K Ultra HD Wired 8 Channel PoE NVR Security System, 8 Metal Cameras & 1TB HDD - White

• A:Answer Thanks for your question! Our Defender AI Powered Sentinel NVR PoE System does not integrate with Alexa. However, you can remotely access and control your camera’s settings and features through our Defender Empower App. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 4 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionIs there a camera doorbell that can be connected to this, I have some proposed camera locations that are close to 4 feet from the HDD, Do I need a booster or special cable (s) additional power supply to boost.

Asked 4 months ago by farmerjohn.

• A:Answer Thanks for your question! At the moment, we don’t have a doorbell camera that can be connected to our current camera systems, including the Sentinel NVR setups. However, this is a feature our team is actively looking into, and we hope to integrate it into future product improvements. If you have other questions about your proposed camera locations or setup, feel free to send them over — happy to help! Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 4 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionIs wiring the house costly. How is the camera set up with wiring everywhere easily

Asked 5 months ago by Jedi.

• A:Answer Hi Jedi, Great question! While we don’t offer installation services ourselves, many customers choose to hire a professional installer if they prefer a cleaner setup. Each camera connects directly to the NVR with a cable that can run up to 180 ft, giving you flexibility in where you place the cameras. A professional can also help hide or organize the wiring so it blends neatly with your home. If you have any questions about setup or compatibility, feel free to reach out. We're here to help! Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 4 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionWill the system work with my iPhone so I can view the cameras remotely?

Asked 5 months ago by Costa.

This question was asked about the related product: Defender - AI POWERED Sentinel 4K Ultra HD Wired 8 Channel PoE NVR Security System, 8 Metal Cameras & 1TB HDD - White

• A:Answer Hi Costa, Yes! You can view the cameras remotely using your iPhone This system is compatible with the Defender Empower app, which is available for download on the App Store. Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 2 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionCan this system work without the ethernet cables?

Asked 5 months ago by Jeff.

• A:Answer Hi Jeff, Thanks for your question! This AI-Powered Sentinel PoE NVR system does require the cameras to be connected to the NVR using Ethernet cables. The Ethernet cable provides both power and video signal to each camera through the PoE (Power over Ethernet) connection. This setup ensures a stable, secure, and high-quality video feed, which is especially important for AI features and continuous recording. Best regards, Jenny | Defender Customer Experience Expert

  Answered 2 months ago by Defender Customer Support

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Q: QuestionHow far from the power supply can the camera be installed?

Asked 5 months ago by Turtle.

• A:Answer It is a POE system...I have mine running 100 feet. Don't know that it matters.

  Answered 5 months ago by AnalyticalShopper

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