Customer Ratings & Reviews

I recently obtained an all wireless HD security camera system that I truly enjoy. However, we had one incident where the camera was not able to pick up enough detail. Even though the cameras for that system are listed as HD/1080p, there just was not enough fine detail. Now that I have the Lorex 4K Wired system I can see all the details that I have been missing. The comparison photo of the two systems below doesn’t really do it justice, but you should be able to see just how much clearer, sharper and detailed the Lorex is in comparison. The second picture is a comparison of the night recording. Color Night Recording is enabled by default only if there is enough ambient lighting. Some nights my porch light was enough, some it was not. When there is not enough light, it uses IR light to get the typical night vision image, but with great clarity and distance. The top two images are of the Lorex system while the bottom two are with the wireless HD system, with my porch light on and off. It is kind of unfair to compare a wireless system to a wired system due to their various difference, as I wanted the wireless system for the freedom of placement, but in comparison to price, the Lorex system is still cheaper than the wireless system with 4 cameras and the recording capability is drastically better. Setup is fairly straightforward, but requires some precise planning if you don’t want to have to purchase additional cables as the included cables are short. The BNC/Power cables are 60ft long and barely long enough to get around 2 sides of my house to reach a corner, but plenty long to reach the nearest two corners. The included HDMI, LAN and power cable on the other hand makes you believe that they intended for you to stack everything right on top of the DVR as they are not even long enough to connect in my entertainment center. I also have mine connected to an UPS to ensure recording even during power interruptions but that was a stretch with the short cables. Once everything is attached you can manage the DVR with the mouse for all of the setup. The interface is clunky and takes a bit to get used to. However, once a password is set up and connected to the network, I found it easier to use a web browser to manage the rest of the settings. You just access it by the IP that is displayed on the Info screen with the admin/password that you gave it. It will not work with Chrome due to the requirement to use NPAPI. The web interface allows you to do everything you can do directly through the device, just with the comfort of your regular computer. The DVR is designed to work with all kinds of different cameras, so some features show available, like Pan/Tilt/Zoom, but the cameras do not support it. One of the first things I did is change the resolution to 3840*2160(4k) for everything to make sure I get the maximum out of it. With that though, settings have a huge impact on how much you can store on the 2TB drive. I have had continuous recording on for 10 days with all 4 cameras at 4k, 7fps, CBR, 4096 bit rate and the drive now reads full. However, that just means the old footage is being overwritten. This is still more than my other service as they only kept 7 days without a paid subscription and that was only motion detection events. The Lorex Cloud app also allows you to manage your device, view live cameras, and look at playback. However, the resolution you receive through the app is horrible and more just for general reference and allows for push notifications when motion is detected. WIth that though, you will need to do some fine tweaking of motion settings as it is default I was getting notifications with every gnat that flew by. The app interface is just as clunky as the DVR interface. However, when looking at a single camera, you can enable the security light, which is just an LED, and the siren, which is laughable. I don’t expect that light or alarm to actually scare anyone from my house, but it might at least get their attention so that you get a clear image of their face. I was against getting a wired system, simply due to issues like being limited to 60ft. However, the 4K clarity of this system has convinced me to change over. Over time I might consider getting some different supported cameras so that I may use the PTZ features. But, for now this system has my house covered and I’m almost anxious to catch something in action so I can show off the detail to others.

This all-inclusive system has everything you need to get going right out of the box. The only obvious things missing are installation tools. There's enough cable to install in an average sized home (30x30). Setup was easy and is ready to go as soon as you plug everything in. For testing purposes, I connected it to my 55" 4k TV to check the resolution. I made some adjustments to get the image view in 4k though it didn't really look like 4k, probably due either to the h264.h compression or the thin looking cables supplied or both. Now, I see no reason to use up my last hdmi port on that not to mention constantly having the fan noise in the background from the dvr unit. The cameras are certainly high quality and I have no doubt they are capable of delivering true 4k video, though the cables appear to be rated for 1080p only. Increasing resolution causes the video to lag a bit to the tv and lag a lot to the phone app. I found the included mouse to be an invaluable tool setting up and using the features of the DVR. The remote has very little use other than switching views and a few other mundane things. The app from Lorex is perfect to fully utilize the systems abilities in a user friendly format. I initially used the Flir app I already had which also worked for most things. The deterrence system can be setup to flash the light after a certain hour which is good for deterrence and helps you find the keyhole in the dark. You can't automatically set the siren to go off in conjunction with the LED since it could be viewed as a nuisance in some communities. I had limited use with wired security systems since my current unit was a single wireless ip camera with pan/tilt/zoom capabilities. Though I was expecting these units to be stationary, the info says it zooms 16x digital; this is not the case. It doesn't zoom at all. The only way I was able to zoom in on things was through the app on my phone by just picking a camera feed and using the phone's pinch-to-zoom. Even with that type of zoom, you're able to see things clearly almost up to the max limit which is impressive! I think if you truly want 4k out of the system, you need to buy new cables. I might consider it for one of the cameras in the future, but for now, it's just right.

I have a one story home on a corner lot and was looking for something that would provide high quality video in both day and night. The Lorex 4k surveillance system met my needs and has an unexpectedly good 4k feed. In the box are 4 cameras with 4 x 60' cables, camera mounting hardware, a 2 TB DVR, remote, mouse, and HDMI and Ethernet cables for DVR. The initial setup is easy, with 1 page illustrated quick start guides for both networking and hardware installation. Once everything was set up I found that the 60' cables weren't going to be enough for full installation and will have to order longer ones, this is something to consider if you have a large amount of space to cover. The good news is that the power to the cameras is supplied via the cables, so only one cable to run per camera. Another thing to note is that the DVR defaults to 1080 resolution, so to get full effect you will need to go change the settings to 4k, the DVR will reboot and the resolution improvement is amazing! The cameras are off white, and fixed, so while the DVR will control pan / tilt you will need to buy additional cameras to use this feature. Once I had the cameras mounted and the right viewing angle set the coverage is almost a full 90 degree range, providing great coverage. I had no issues in daylight settings, and found that at night, I could get color video if there was enough ambient light (porch or street light) but in the areas with low lighting the cameras switched to the IR night vision which is grey scale. I included a photo of the IR camera in 4k as I'm still amazed at the resolution. The included security light and siren on each camera are underwhelming, and at best might startle the neighbors dog off your lawn. I didn't find this to be an issue, since I prefer that my cameras are not noticed. I do like how they blend in well with the overhangs, they don't stick out as much as the black bodied cameras do. Overall hardware rating is a full 5 stars. The DVR setup was straight forward, but I had to move my router nearby to connect via Ethernet. I see that wireless option is a planned feature, but would prefer it soon because I had to arrange my router to the DVR location, yes I know, first world problems. The app was easy to install and set up on my Andriod, overall the process was painless. The issue, and the reason for the 4 star rating, is because the DVR software is a bit awkward and not intuitive. Once I figured out the quirks things went smoothly, but I found that the interface just felt out of place with a DVR that supports 4k technology. You can play, pause, zoom, and capture photos from the video, you can also control your pan / tilt if you buy the cameras that allow this movement. I did like that I wasn't tied to the DVR and could set up motion alerts and live viewing via the app. The app is what saved this setup, if I was tied to the DVR and its software faults this would be more of a 3 star system. Overall, if you need the resolution and can run the cables, this is the system for you, just be patient with the DVR interface or skip it and use the app.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS: The packaging is nice, and everything inside the box is packaged in such a way so as to waste as little space as possible. Additionally, no plastic is used (in the packaging…obviously, the product’s components all have plastic cases). Score “1” for it’s environmentally-friendly packaging. I like that the cameras are white, as they blend in easier for interior walls, and they would (typically) be less noticeable on exteriors (compared to black cameras). The same cannot be said for the DVR base, which is also white, but looks “out of place”. Considering this is a 4K unit, and needs to be connected to either a 4K HDTV, or a computer monitor with (at least) 4K resolution, it appears that Lorex forgot that other components the DVR base will be placed close to – receivers, DVD/Blu-Ray players, cable boxes, computers, etc – tend to be black, so the DVR base will “stand out like a sore thumb”. Looking at all the other Lorex units Best Buy carries (pretty much all the security camera systems Best Buy carries), the DVR/NVR bases are ALL black, so WHY did they make this one white? When using security cameras, one would want the DVR base to “blend in” with components that it’s placed close to. If someone breaks into your house (whether, or not, they noticed the cameras), when they get to an area close to where you’ve placed the DVR base, they WILL easily notice it. Even worse, once they realize what it is, you can be (virtually) guaranteed that WILL be one of the items they steal. They won’t care that they’re not getting the cameras, as the only thing they’ll be interested in is preventing you from identifying them – they steal the DVR base, you no longer have video proof of anything. Lorex, this is a HUGE “minus”. VIDEO QUALITY, RECORDING LENGTH: Here is this system’s “saving grace” – the video quality, and the storage capacity. The 4K video imagery is incredibly good (much better than my older Night Owl 1080p cameras), and the night vision just blows my old cameras away (Lorex @ 150ft, Night Owl @ 25ft). That being said, the included BNC cables might be a bit short for some people, as Lorex only includes 60’ cables (my old Night Owl system included 100’ Ethernet (PoE system) cables). Speaking of cable length, another “problem” for some will be the VERY short power cable, as it’s is only 2ft from outlet prongs-to-power brick. Another “plus”…albeit, not as much of one…is the LED light built into each camera. They provide enough light to “warn” intruders, which is excellent, but they don’t provide enough light to completely illuminate the area. I might suggest (at least for certain key locations – front door, back door, driveway) installing a separate, brighter, light with its own motion detection Regarding the storage capacity of the 2TB drive, Lorex claims “45 days of continuous recording”, as well as “2.5 months of motion recording”. Starting with the motion recording, the length of the DVR’s recording ability will actually be determined by the frequency of motion detection, so, while you could actually get the time claimed, you could also get considerably more…or considerably less. Going back to Lorex’s claim of “45 days of continuous recording”, as I have not had the system installed for very long, I am entirely unable to determine its actual 24/7 recording length ability. Regarding both recording lengths mentioned, I won’t make any assumptions as to the accuracy of Lorex’s claims. However, considering that the 4-camera system claims 45 days/2.5 months, and the 6-camera system claims 30 days/45 days, and the 8-camera system claims 22 days/35 months, I’m thinking Lorex’s “claimed” length of recording ability is not exactly accurtate. SOUND QUALITY: For obvious reasons, I have nothing to say here. The only reason I even have a “sound quality” section is to point out the fact that the DVR base has but one audio input, so you, as the buyer, will…if you want ANY audio in the recordings…have to pick a single location (it can be near a camera, or somewhere entirely different) for where the recorded audio comes from. This is a HUGE disadvantage, especially when compared to security cameras that are wireless, or DVR/NVR-based camera systems that use PoE (Power over Ethernet), as these are able to have recorded audio from EVERY camera…another “rock in the heel”. ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS: It’s fantastic that Lorex is getting on the 4K security camera bandwagon, but, in a day & age where most others have gone to PoE, it’s sad to see Lorex sticking with the old BNC connectors. Even worse, as mentioned, above, they still only have a single audio input (PoE provides power, video AND audio for each & every channel), which means you have to select a single location for your recorded sound. That means…for example…if you’re installing at least two cameras outside (maybe front & back doors), then, if you want audio in your recordings, you ‘ll have to pick only one. Maybe you want video of window locations, and possibly your driveway, as well. Sorry, consumers, but, again, you can ONLY have one recorded audio source. This, unfortunately, is a major “rock in the heel”, so to speak. FINAL VERDICT: The Lorex 8-Channel 4K 2TB Surveillance System (whether with 4, 6, or 8 cameras, as Best Buy sells all three configurations) isn’t a “bad” system, per se, but it does have a few problems…and, unfortunately, these are not “minor” problems. The image quality is excellent, the night vision ability is amazing, and the storage capacity is not only incredibly good, it can also be (fairly) easily upgraded (NOTE: although Lorex might want to void your warranty for doing this, federal law clearly states that they can NOT void the warranty for doing this). On top of that, you have an app that, while not without its own set of problems, it does work CONSIDERABLY better than the Night Owl app I was “forced” to use with my previous security camera system. At this point, you’re thinking “great”…but you also need to consider the “minuses”………. While more & more security camera systems are going wireless, or PoE, Lorex has chosen to “remain in the dark ages”, by sticking with BNC connections. This not only means separate cables (even if they are “connected”) for video signal & power, but also means the cable does NOT include audio. If you want any audio included in your recording, that is a separate connection. Even worse, Lorex does NOT include a mic…if you want audio, you will have to purchase that separately. Speaking of cables, while most manufacturers (including Lorex, in their “better” systems) include (at least) 100ft cables, they have only included 60ft cables. Adding insult-to-injury, they do “offer” 100ft cables, but they have to be purchased separately (for an additional $50/cable…which is an additional $200 for a 4-camera system). Continuing on the “cable”, most manufacturers (again, including Lorex, in their “better” systems) have switched to the far more versatile PoE systems, which not only allow a single cable per camera, but said cables provide power, video, AND audio…that means EACH camera has its own audio, and ALL audio channels get recorded. Lastly (this might be “minor” to some, but will be “major” to others), people want their base unit to be discreet…that means a black casing, NOT white. The fact that Lorex chose to encase the “brains” in white makes me wonder what they were thinking. As great as the image quality is, as great as the night vision is, and as great as the recording capacity is, I can NOT recommend this system. If the problems were on the minor side, I would have given this system a 4-star rating…unfortunately, the problems are “severe” enough that I have no choice but to downgrade it by an additional star. A note to Lorex: Your other systems, be they the “lower-end” systems sold by Best Buy, and other retailers, or the mid-range & high-end systems sold directly by you, or via professionals, are extremely good…so, one has to wonder why you would release such a product as this??? Disclaimer: This product was provided free, or at reduced cost, for the purpose of reviewing the product. Nevertheless, the above review, be it positive, negative, or anywhere in-between, is a 100% honest review, and the price paid played absolutely no part in my review.

The product is good, however, before you purchase it please check with your Tech person. The cameras goes out sometimes in the night. Also, the cable are not the best ones to use with the system. I had to purchase additional cables.

I hadn't heard too much about Lorex prior to getting this system but, was pleasantly surprised.... Out of the box I found my cameras, cables, DVR, remote and mouse.... Began setup and found the included 60ft cables were too short for my needs... but I moved some things around (reluctantly) and made it work for now... I think I will need to upgrade to the 100 ft cables soon though...A wireless option would be AWESOME.... Setup took some time, but it seemed pretty intuitive, overall not TOO bad, but a bit of a hassle since I need to rearrange my router and DVR stuff to make the included cables work. Once setup, i was very impressed with he 4k quality! Make sure you select the 4k during the setup, it makes a world of difference! The app is very nice and simple. Very good design and intuitive.

So far a good camera system. Installation and set up was easy. Instructions weren’t too bad for initial set up and installation. Of course you need to read more to set up zones, notifications,etc... The only problem I had was the length of the cables. 75-100 foot would of been nice. Had the the system installed for a day now. So more to follow....