Customers are pleased with the easy setup process, video quality, and wireless feature of the 10 Channel 6 Camera Wireless 2K 1TB NVR Security System. They appreciate the expandable storage and the clear night vision. However, some customers have concerns about the limited camera range and the requirement for a power source for each camera.
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Pros mentioned:
Night vision, Wireless
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Night owl wireless cameras
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Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
We have had wired cameras before,but this time wireless and the image is greater even at night, but you do need some light to get the same color as if itis day. They are well worth it and easy to share if need be.So we cover 4to the right and 4to the left of our neighbors home clear night and daytime…
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great cameras
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Great cameras and great video feed and pictures just make sure where you place has a secure power supply away from elements they do have to plug into work but excellent cameras highly recommend this will be my second set of night owls cameras upgraded for newer features and more cameras added
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Wireless
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great
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Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Finally after the 4th set of cameras bought I have found what I have been looking for! Well almost I wanted completely wireless with solar panels but who can get everything they want lol
So they have a dvr that saves data which is nice I don’t have to have the cloud for that and now my dog can watch the cameras on her own tv! Lol
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Night Owl Security wireless Security System
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Easy to set up. Very good reception. I have other Night Owl systems and this one is superior to the older models
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
NightOwl System
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Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This camera system is by far the best from the quality of sound and clarity to the feeling of having a professional security system at home.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Wireless
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Night owl
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Bought the cameras from my house security system. It works amazing. Love the wireless feature.
I would recommend this to a friend
Cons mentioned:
Durability
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
D+
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
As soon as store warranty was up one camera starting to go out not even 2 months old… definitely going back to Swann cameras don’t waste your money
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Night Owl
Posted .
Very sorry to hear of the issue you are facing with your camera. While we cannot speak for the store warranty we can confirm that we do provide a 1 year warranty from date of purchase on all of our products for failure and manufacturing defect. Please contact [email protected] with a brief description of the issue and when best to contact you back. This will put you in touch with our advanced internal support team who will further troubleshoot with you. We very much look forward to getting your system fully functional and addressing any other concerns you have. Thanks, Night Owl SP Digital Support Team
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Camera
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
What an easy set up. Free app to monitor our cameras. Great pricing and excellent service from start to finish. Couldn’t be happier with this product.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great buy.
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Great set of camera's. Clear and detailed. Going to add more
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Waste of money don't buy it.
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I have my cameras to record 24/7 and out of no where they just stop recording I don't recommend this if you are trying to protect your property. Is only good for show. My old cheap camera would always record. This was a waste of $600 I had it for 2months so I can't return it anymore.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Night Owl
Posted .
Very sorry to hear of the issue you are facing with your system and look forward to helping get it fixed asap. While we cannot speak for the store return policy we can confirm that we do provide a 1 year warranty from date of purchase on all of our products for failure and manufacturing defect. Please contact [email protected] with a brief description of the issue and when best to contact you back. This will put you in touch with our advanced internal support team who will further troubleshoot with you and replace the recorder if needed. We very much look forward to getting your system fully functional and addressing any other concerns you have. Thanks, Night Owl SP Digital Support Team
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Expandable, Video quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
So easy to set up and crystal clear!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Night Owl Wireless 2k 1TB NVR security camera system is an incredible value and so easy to set up! When you first open the box, you're met with a quick start guide that leads you into the simple set up process. Like, open packaging, download app, follow app instructions, enjoy. Okay, maybe not entirely that easy, you do still have to mount the cameras where you're like them, but the mounting hardware is right in the box of each of the individually boxed WiFi cameras! The cameras can be operated with the NVR box, or by using they backup micro-SD card slot on each of the cameras! The cameras can also be operated independent of the NVR in the box, even when set up in the same app. This system is so incredibly flexible and the app is extremely easy to use.
The reliability of the system so far has been excellent, with my front door camera staying online in gale force winds and sideways rain the same day I put it up. Very sturdy casing on the cameras and a good selection of ports on the NVR for expansion and use without the app via a TV or monitor, which you can use alongside the app on your phone and/or tablet. This system is perfect for someone looking for a whole house video surveillance system that offers flexibility in use and the amount of cameras you can deploy, the kit comes with 6 in the box but can handle up to 10! This is an excellent and extremely flexible system! The picture quality is great, too! I'd recommend!
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Expandable
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Full-Featured Easy-to-Install Security System
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Night Owl Wireless Security System with six cameras and a ten-channel, 1TB Wireless Network Video Recorder (WNVR) is full-featured and amazingly easy to install.
Unboxing and Setup
The equipment is nicely and tightly boxed, with separate boxes for the WNVR, each camera, and a box for the accessories. Each box is labeled with the contents. The packaging included a large and easy-to-read installation guide, URL links to their website, a link to their YouTube channel, and a 7" x 7" window sticker. There are two options for setting up the system. The recommended option is the Easy Bluetooth® Wireless Setup, and the other option is the Manual Setup via a TV/Monitor and USB Mouse. I chose the easy Bluetooth method with our large house and multiple smart tablets and phones.
The WNVR has two easily attachable 7" Wi-Fi antennas. There's a large sticker on the top left of the WNVR with the device information, a link to the website, and a QR Code. I attached the antennas, and before plugging in the WNVR, I downloaded the Night Owl Protect app from the iOS App Store. The app will ask for permission to use Bluetooth and to send notifications. The Get Started button leads to lengthy terms and conditions, wholly written in caps as if that motivates me to read all of it before tapping "Agree." Creating the account requires a phone number, username, email, and password. On submission, a verification code is sent to my phone and email. I get the Add Device screen after adding my name to the account. This is when I plugged in the power cord. The Bluetooth light on the back of the WNVR started blinking, and I selected Next on my phone. The app found the WNVR, and I selected Continue to add it. The app then asked me to name the device.
After naming the device, the app configured the device. Since I didn't connect the WNVR via ethernet, the app said No Internet Detected but said I could proceed via Bluetooth. I'm configuring the equipment at my desk and will move the WNVR after I have added the cameras. The next screen prompted me to power up a camera within 8 feet of the WNVR. I unboxed one of the cameras and plugged it in. A light blinked on the camera, and a green LED on the cable started blinking green. A voice from the camera startled me and said it was in pairing mode. I tapped Continue in the app. The digital voice told me to be patient, then said, "Whohoo! Setup is now complete." The camera appeared as Channel 1 in the app.
I repeated the process for each camera and then moved the WNVR to our ethernet hub. Since my hub is not in a good location for a monitor, I'm using the app on my devices for configuration and monitoring. Using the app on my phone is handy for checking the camera placement when installing the cameras. Each camera comes with a power adapter and a nine-foot cord. If placing the camera outside, placing the plug-in adapter in a location not affected by weather or considering drilling to run the power cable is essential. To prevent dangling wires, I recommend using cable anchors.
Using the App
The Night Owl Protect app is full of features for configuring and monitoring the cameras. I could easily set activity zones with motion sensitivity, notifications, automatic voice alerts, brightness, contrast, video quality, and type of detection for each camera directly from my iPhone. The speaker on the camera is amazingly loud, and the spotlight is very bright. The volume of the speaker can be controlled from the app. There are multiple group views of the cameras. I prefer the view with one large camera screen surrounded by smaller screens. When looking at events, I can filter the list by motion, human, face, or vehicle detection. Downloading an event is automatically saved to my iPhone as a video. I added my wife by selecting Share from the Device Settings screen, and she downloaded the app, created her account, and was added to our device with the same camera views.
Summary
The Night Owl 10 Channel 6 Camera Wireless 2K 1TB NVR Security System is the most straightforward security camera system I have ever used. There was entirely no confusion or frustration involved with setting this system up. Considering the very reasonable price and no monthly service fees, I highly recommend this system to anyone needing more security for their property. I have peace of mind knowing that I'm alerted by any movement at my house, and I'm enjoying the recordings of animals in my backyard. And since all of the components of this system have passed NDAA standards, I know there is no foreign eavesdropping. This system gets a full five stars from me.
Features
- 10-channel, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Network Video Recorder, 4K output, 1TB hard drive.
- Six Wi-Fi IP 1080p spotlight cameras with 2-way audio, alerts, and siren.
- Weather-resistant camera casings. (Under eaves recommended.)
- Six camera power plugs with nine-foot cords.
- No monthly fees for local recording.
- Night Owl Protect app for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows.
- Two-step login authentication.
- Single and multiple camera views.
- Automatic person, facial, and vehicle detection/notification.
- Low light color and up to 100-foot night vision video.
- Manual and automatic pre-set voice alerts and siren responses to events.
- Manual and automatic bright spotlight activation.
- Real-time mobile notifications of triggered events.
- Searchable/filterable recordings by event, date/time, and location.
- Save and share recordings.
- Integrated voice control with Google Assistant.
- Expandable with other Night Owl peripherals.
- NDAA National Security Compliant. No non-compliant foreign components.
- Device sharing to multiple users.
- Adjustable video quality.
- Area selections within camera view with sensitivity levels.
- Reboot the NVR from the app.
- Add-on Cloud Storage with a subscription.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Expandable, Wireless
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great security cameras/system!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is an amazing camera system. I love how flexible it is and how many options you have, without getting you into expensive monthly fees or plans. It's your choice.
The system includes 6 Wi-Fi cameras, however they are wired for power, so you need to prepare and make sure you have a power outlet close to power them, and if you are installing them outside, make wholes on the walls to slide the power cable thru (of course you don't want a power cable outside, where anyone can mess with them, rendering your cameras useless). They come with large and thin cables and an AC adaptor for each.
It also includes a base station, you could think of this as its own mini PC/router with a hard drive for storage. It creates its own secure network where all the cameras connect to. You can choose if you want to also connect to the internet, however this is an option and not required (if you connect to the internet you will be able to watch videos, get alerts etc. away from home to your phone). This base station comes with an HDMI cable, so you can plug it to any monitor or TV and manage/watch like that locally. Of course, if you plug to the internet, you will be able to use their app to do the same using your phone. I did that and get alerts whenever there is motion, detects a human, packages etc. Now the network it creates is secure and it records it all to the base station's hard drive. Since the cameras are hardwired for power, you can either set them up to only record on motion, or if you choose, the whole time 24/7.
I love that the cameras are 2 way (meaning you can listen and speak), have a light and send the video signal via its own secure Wi-Fi network (each camera also has a Micro SD slot in case you want to backup the video locally in case something happens to your base station). Since they are 2 way audio, you could even setup one on your front door and effectively use it as doorbell cam (of course it won't ring when your doorbell is pressed, but you can set it up to alert you when detects people, packages etc.) and you can speak to the person the other way since they are 2 way audio. If there are places were you cannot place the included cameras due lack of a power outlet, I was looking a their website and they also sell individual cameras that can be easily added up to the system that are completely wire free and use batteries by the way. Since its a 10 channel system and they include 6 cameras, you have 4 more channels free to add more devices.
I highly recommend this system, it has everything you want to get you started with security cameras for your home/business. The whole package could be a little expensive at first, but if you think about it after the initial investment, you are saving tons of money on installation fees, monthly cloud/membership/recording fees that you would pay with cloud based cheaper options on the long run.
I'm very satisfied and I feel in total control of my security cameras and don't have to depend on subscriptions or memberships!!!
I would recommend this to a friend
Cons mentioned:
Power source
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Nice system, Just Not as WIRELESS as I thought. !
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Night Owl Cameras.
Setup is very easy and everything that you need is in the box. I say easy, but not painless.
You have to do everything in exact order or you will sit there forever waiting.
They said to be no more than eight feet away from the recorder base with each camera during set up. I just did one power supply and swapped out the cameras to set each up.
And dont overlook the fact that they say to make sure you set up ALL of the cameras before you hit continue in the upper right corner of the camera set up/locate page in the app.
But if you are looking for true completely wireless cameras these are not the cameras for you.
The cameras Wi-Fi transmission both audio and video are of course wireless to your home router and the included 1TB hard drive, however you must have a electric power source at each cameras location. Also the recorder must be hooked directly to your router, so yet another component of this system that is NOT wireless.
The only thing that IS wireless is the Wi-Fi link between the cameras and base.
This has caused me to rethink camera locations and the amount of electrical work I can afford and am willing to do to get this system to work for me.
When a camera is plugged in an operational its function and clarity are great.
Its motion detecting abilities meet my needs for sure.
Right now I am kinda laid up from ankle fusion surgery so permanent location of the cameras and providing a power outlet where I want or need a camera will have to wait for a month or so.
I did capture an image or two from the camera and one of the app in progress, but setting up all of the many bells and whistles on this system will need to wait on my ankle to heal up.
I would have given it 5 stars if it were not for the AC need at each camera, but it does say that on the box, I should have investigated more in depth and got the rechargeable system
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
One of the best Do It Yourself (DIY) Systems
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The NightOwl Wifi Security system is a great system that offers an easy setup without having to call a professional for installation, the included 6 wifi cameras only require a power outlet to use. I have installed a few different types of camera systems and there are a few issues that I have run across and they are data usage, running wires, storage and privacy and the NightOwl helps elevate all of these.
The included NightOwl 4K Wifi NVR is what helps with all of the complaints I have with other security systems. The 4k NVR creates its own hidden wifi network, this takes away the need to run wires yourself or hiring a professional. Now the range of the cameras is 300 feet, which is pretty good for the average house. I do wish they had made the cameras act as repeaters which would have increased the range however 300 is suitable for normal homes. Another thing to keep in mind is that the NVR does have replaceable antennas so if you need you can get stronger antennas incase you need to increase the range.
NightOwl offers you a choice in connecting the system to the internet or keeping it localized incase you’re worried about your privacy. To use this system you DO NOT NEED INTERNET it can work without it. If you choose to keep the system localized please remember you wont be able to access the feeds of your house when you’re away from home and you will also need to manually update the system, which seems pretty straightforward. Overall the setup was easy and went without a hitch, I did run into an issue when setting up with my phone however all I did to fix it was unplug and replug in the NVR once and everything else went smooth.
Now incase your wondering this isn’t your normal “wifi” system that uses your data and is constantly streaming to the cloud, the included NVR creates its own wifi network (hidden) that runs on the 2.4 frequency and the cameras send data back to the NVR so it doesn’t count against your data allotment (incase you have data caps) and the only time this will count against your home/business data usage is when you’re actually looking at the footage when you’re away from your home.
NightOwl has created a very simple app incase you decide to use the security system without a monitor. The app helps you scroll through footage and shows you detections that have happened which are labeled so you know what the movement was (human, cars and movement). The app also allows you to adjust camera settings and notification settings as you see fit. Now the system is set to only record motion events out of box so if you want 24/7 record you will need to adjust that. The NightOwl system does a decent job categorizing detection's when they are 15-20 feet and knowing the difference between people and cars, however anything beyond that point just shows as “movement”. From my usage my front camera was able to detect as far as 80 feet on detection's with high accuracy, I was able to get detection's as far as 125+ feet however not everything was detected.
The NightOwl cameras are well built and provide a good picture, I only had the 2k variant and the cameras pick up really good detail on peoples faces in day light and the night quality is adequate. I had the cameras outside and there was no issue with sun damage, I also sprayed the cameras with my water hose and they have been working fine so rain should not be an issue.
I would highly recommend the NightOwl 4K wifi security system because its easy to set up and has no subscription fees this added with the fact that you can add other night owl cameras and even a doorbell later makes this one of the best on the market for someone that doesn’t want to deal with the headache or running wires/hiring someone to install the system. The system is easy to use with phone or monitor, I had it plugged into a 4K screen and the images were crisp for the 2k cameras and I would assume will be even better when I add on some 4k ones down the line. The only thing missing is that the cameras don’t work as repeaters to extend the range of where you can put them, but than again this is the same issue you have with wired cameras.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Eyes and ears that don’t sleep - Simple & powerful
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Night Owl - 10 Channel 4K Wi-Fi NVR Security System with 1TB Hard Drive and 6 Wi-Fi IP 2K Deterrence Cameras with 2-Way Audio [BTWN81-F4-6L]
It’s only fair to mention I have been using a Night Owl security camera system on my property for a few years. There is a reason. The Night Owl systems are reliable, loaded with the features I prefer, and are so easy to manage. This new (summer ’23) system’s particular set of features directly addresses the concerns and requirements of many end users like me. They start with NO SUBSCRIPTIONS, ever, and feature cameras that can be monitored from my TV or a phone. The cameras wirelessly connect to the included digital recorder and have a 2K (2560 x 1440) resolution with the recorder capable of 3840 x 2160 resolution with updated cameras. Other features are described below.
SETUP: In this most recent version of their Wi-Fi based system, Night Owloffers the end user 2 ways to accomplish the setup. I chose the phone guided setup, but a manual setup requiring you to connect to either a monitor or a TV is available. (I’ve used this in the past, and it’s almost as easy.)
I connected the small, fully enclosed 1TB hard drive to both a power plug and an ethernet cable. I added both antenna. That’s it. It’s now that you realize this simply elegant design means you only need to consider power access and a nearby ethernet port (router, local ethernet switch) and you can place your security system just about anywhere. It’s time to download and install Night Owl’s powerful system management App.
Stay near your recorder for this initial camera setup, and proceed to plug each camera into a power outlet. You probably want to have a power strip ready to access, because you will eventually have 6 cameras plugged in. The App guides you with clear instructions and the loud clear voice coming out of each camera lets you know that the camera has been initialized and then that it has been added to your system. Be patient. It takes a few minutes for each camera, A few times I needed to back up one step and then the connection was made when I proceeded forward. A little patience and everything was connected. If my previous experience with Night Owl systems holds true, the quality of that initial wireless connection was NOT an indicator of the final connection quality. Final placement, even at a distance (as much as 60ft in my home), yielded a good to excellent Wi-Fi connection (between 1-2Mbps data transfer rate) which was always reliable and capable of a useful image. [Note: Night Owl does NOT use your wireless network. It establishes its own using a built-in router, meaning it doesn’t burden yours and, in fact allows you to separate from the internet if necessary for added security.]
Now comes the only hurdle. You’ve got to place each camera in a location where YOU want to monitor. But, there needs to be a power outlet nearby because each camera has its own small power brick and a lengthy, lightweight power cable. You might wonder if this “wireless” system has misled you and there was a better approach. And there might be. Night Owl, for one of a few example alternatives, offers a powered video system that has you pull wires from the recorder all the way to each camera. So, no local power needed, but there is a wire run with some poked holes along the way to each camera. It’s your call. For me, I ensure each camera location is near power or I bring power nearby. An extension cord often does it. Sometimes locations are a compromise, but there is always at least one.
OPERATION and PERFORMANCE: The MOST IMPORTANT message I should give you now is YOU DON”T NEED to do ANYTHING at all once your cameras are in place and registered with the recorder. The Night Owl system will capture the default MOTION, OBJECT DETECTION incidents and arrange them historically in the EVENT directory. It will not send NOTIFICATIONS unless you set this as enabled, but once enabled you can choose what types of events are sent to you. Your property is being watched by a security system and ONLY you have access to the recordings. They are on the Night Owl DVR sitting on your shelf. NO SUBSCRIPTIONS. Ever. No video sitting out on the Cloud.
You are able to select detection (ACTIVITY) zones for each camera and the level of sensitivity as well as the type of activity (Human, face, vehicle) or all. Night Owl even allows you to send AUDIO alerts, including a siren if it’s a critical location that you feel is critical.
From the LIVE VIDEO image you can select and enable the MICROPHONE, the SPOTLIGHT and the AUDIO alert.
The MENU structure is sensible and with no instructions I was able to follow the ICONS on the camera image to the related settings. From the GEAR in the upper right of each camera page I could discover all of the settings organized in one place. I can even change the camera names so they are easier to manage. Those images have a continuous readout of the data transfer speed, so I instantly know if I’m really connected and not capturing a frozen scene. A colored icon (red, yellow, green) is a further indicator.
IF YOU also have a monitor attached to your recorder (NVR), you can access an administrative menu of more management features (reformatting the hard drive, etc). There are complete “Export/Save Recordings” features also, here.
SUMMARY: I really like this newest [BTWN81-F4-6L] Night Owl system. Now that I have the cameras where I want them, with the settings set for each camera as I prefer, there is nothing left for me to do. If I want to monitor my backyard or my front door, I simply pop open the App and arrange the images so those specific locations or all locations are always displayed. If I want to review suspicious activity while I’m away, I can open the EVENTS library and scan down through the video clips. Or, with a large library, it’s probably easier to use the TIMELINE tool to quickly find the time period of interest and find the corresponding events.
NO SUBSCRIPTION is necessary. EVER. You can’t run out of storage space, because you can manage the hard drive (one terabyte) storage and choose to archive elsewhere.
The actual video clips are detailed, colorful, and provide all the information you need to make sense out of a recorded event.
Very nicely done. Highly recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
The Security System Of My Dreams...almost...
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
NO MONTHLY FEES!!! 2 COPYS OF THE FOOTAGE!!! 1 TB STORAGE! Annnd WIRELESS!!! This is a WONDERFUL feature packed and well designed system and I like is SO MUCH more than my previous systems EXCEPT 2 things. I'm going to mention them up front to get it off my chest but DON'T let these stop you from getting this system because it's a winner and despite the 2 things I'm about to mention, I still like it heaps better than other systems even though it's, #1 Not smart home integrated. So no "Alexa show me the side of the house." and no "Hey Google, show me the front yard." That seems like a big hit, and to be honest, it kind of is in today's market. I do WISH it was integrated but the software support and integration for this package is actually quite good and I can actually access my camera feeds faster with this system than I could by talking to Alexa and waiting for it to respond and load. #2 It's not (truly) wireless, in the aspect that, you have to have your DVR/NVR/hard drive tethered to your modem/router with an ethernet cord in order to have the system function as a "wireless" system. Again, I've gone through a fair share of systems, reviewing them, and this seems to be a common thread no matter the manufacturer. They seem to always want a hard line connection between the hard drive and the router.
OK, now that is out of the way lets dote on the system a little, shall we? Yes, we shall! I'm going to say right off the bat that I really love this system and this is going to remain as my "permanent" system for my home security monitoring system even though I have other full working and current systems at my disposal. Why? Because it's AWESOME, that's why! It was incredibly simple to install and the cameras come with an great little snap in bracket that makes hanging them a breeze. (see pics) The camera mounts are super easy to adjust so you can get the exact view angle you want from each camera without the camera flopping around and completely loosing your aim settings. The cameras DON'T have 2 antennas or even 1 antenna sticking out....they are external antenna free! This not only looks much more clean once they are installed but its also one less hole for moisture to try and find its way inside and it makes aiming them in tight spot MUCH more easy! The power cord is nice and thin, meaning you don't have to drill big ole holes all over your house to install these! That's HUGE PLUS in my book. This is the smallest require hole of all the systems I have had my hands on over the years except for battery powered cameras that require no hole.
A little more about the cameras: You get 6 and the system is expandable to 10. They are 2K Cameras but the system is capable of running and recording from 4K cameras. I am TOTALLY OK with the 2K cameras. They offer great resolution and record crisp and clear. They offer an 80 degree view with a built in spot light and two way audio so you can listen and talk to people on each one. The speaker is clear and the volume is good. 80 degrees is a great field of view and doesn't run into multiple cameras with overlapping views. In my use I also noticed that they have VERY LOW latency, about 1/4 of a second to not noticeable at all time delay in the audio Less than 1 second on video feed on a 55Mbps wireless connection....which isn't that fast....yours if probably fast which means your latency performance will be better. They are rated Indoor/Outdoor and offer "100 foot" night vision, that is actually pretty spot on! Best part, they each have a microSD card slot for local storage! Meaning that if a thief decided to take the hard drive to "cover up" their misdeeds, you still have all of the footage on the cameras themselves!!! That is, in my opinion, a FANTASTIC little "hidden" feature!!! You will have to supply as many cards as you have cameras, as they are not included, but that added security is worth the expense of 6-10 cards in my opinion! An the "bullet style" of the cameras make them easily blend in and disappear. You have to look for them, they don't stick out like a sore thumb. I like that because I was able to pop in 2 of them, in weird locations, that typically wouldn't have a camera and they go unnoticed very, very easily. They are run off plug power so you will have to figure out how to get power to them or them to power but these run on low voltage DC after you plug them into the wall. I mention this because the wire is "Oh So Nice and Tiny" and EASY EASY EASY to splice if you need more length. You don't need to contact the company and buy extended lengths of specialty CCTV wiring or be a master electrician to get it done and done properly and safely. As long as you use a little common sense you can extend the power wire yourself. Although, I'm sure if you called NIGHTOWL and wanted a power cable with a longer length, they'd be happy to help you out, but I didn't go that way and I can't speak 100% on that.
The NVR/DVR/Hard Drive: This part is also worthy of praise IMO. The Bluetooth connection to it for set up was a cinch and connection of other devices after set up was also a breeze. The hard drive itself has no flashing lights on the front and doesn't scream "HOME SECURITY HARD DRIVE! TAKE ME WITH YOU!" but still best to install it in an inconspicuous location for safety. It's SILENT and tiny, measuring 10Wx8Dx1.75H and has 2 antennas on it. I have had zero issue with connection to cameras and some of mine are a distance from the hard drive. It comes with a USB mouse, a HDMI {noise shielded} cable for connection to a monitor or TV and an Ethernet Cord. I did initially test the HDMI and controlling the unit through the TV and it all works perfectly and it very intuitive and the view was superb! HOWEVER, The Bluetooth Connection and the app are the "bee's knees" and simplify control and set up initially. USE THE BLUETOOTH TO SET IT UP, ITS S.I.M.P.L.E.!!! This connection method allowed me to mount the hard drive in a "weird" location that will not be easily discovered by strangers but I don't have to go into that area to access the drive all the time and I don't have an HDMI cable running from the back of my TV to my home security hard drive making it easy to find!!!! I'm So HAPPY that I was able to mount my security hard drive inside of a wall safe FINALLY!!!! I've wanted it that way for years and this unit's features has finally allowed it to become reality! This system has come through shining in so many ways and I told you in the beginning that I really REALLY liked it! Even the "AI" built in works really well to identify people and vehicles and to eliminate false trigger notification from a branch or flag blowing in the wind.
THE APP: The app is really super simple to use after you poke around in it for about 3 minutes. You have access to customize setting and even to apply a particular setting to all cameras at one time which saves time and the set up being annoying and is more accurate. You can view feeds, turn on lights, trigger verbal pre-recorded warnings like "Smile, you're on camera" and so much more. You can choose your notification settings and sensitivities, set you custom motion triggers, set what the light does and when...there's a strobe feature in the light also, that can be customized when you want it to be used. You can pinch zoom views and you can see everything clearly....even though it's "just" 2K. Let's be honest here, 2K is more definition than the human eye can differentiate so it's more than enough on a security system. There are no connection issue with the app or the Bluetooth and it has a Bluetooth range setting that will keep the hard drive LOCKED until you are physically a certain distance from it with the app open and you are signed into your account and then and only then can it be UNLOCKED. Cool feature.
I'm stoked that I no longer have to pay for service every month for each camera and now I have more cameras, that have a better resolution and now I can RECORD EVERYTHING 24/7 AND not rely on a slow cloud service to keep my recordings safe. Saving a ton of money, with better footage and better control all while looking good doing it! Like I said in the beginning, THIS ONE IS WINNING and I HIGHLY RECOMEND this system if the the number of cameras meets your requirements...remember you can add 4 more to the 6 that it comes with.....that's a ton of cameras!
Only things that could make this perfect would be a battery back-up on the cameras in the event of power loss, the footage would be on the SD card of each camera. Second, to eliminate the need for that ethernet cord between the drive and the router. Lastly, Alexa/Google integration ....if those things were in the box then this would be the ultimate dream system. But even without those NITPICKS this system is truly awesome and user friendly all the way through from install, design and software interfacing it's a 1,000% win. 5 stars, 2 thumbs up and all that jazz. Yes I would recommend to friends, family and fellow small business owners! Buy one, you won't regret it!
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup
Cons mentioned:
Camera range
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Night owl system
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Easy to set up and install. Only issue is range. Placed one at end of house to monitor drive and garage, but reception is limited. If way to boost signal that would be better. Easy to install app on phone and enjoy being able to check premises when away.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Night vision
Cons mentioned:
Camera range
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Nightowl
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Posted . Owned for 11 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
love the quality of the night vision clarity is excellent one camera did not work need to replace
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Video quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Very happy
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Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
We’re very happy with the quality pictures to ease of setting it up the quality of the equipment we’ve been having night our security system, cameras, for years on all our buildings and offices never had an issue. As long as you have good Internet you’re not gonna have a problem, we’re very happy with our decision to go with the wireless so that cable