Customer Ratings & Reviews

I recently moved and left my previous security system at my previous house. I was looking for a system for my new house and having had prior experience with Night Owl system, I chose this one. I will say that my previous Night Owl DVR worked as a stand-alone system. It had an app, but that was optional. All features could be easily controlled via any computer on my home network using the DVR’s built-in web server. The interface was identical to what you’d see on the local attached monitor. I routed the DVR’s IP address externally and could access my DVR from outside the house. It seems that the days of those simple DVR systems are over and all new DVRs (including this one) require the manufacturer’s “apps” and are routed through their servers. At least they aren’t yet charging for this basic service. First of all, the camera images are stunning. Daylight images are crystal clear and rendered in amazing 2K. Night images are decent with “night vision”, using an LED to illuminate nearby objects. I’d give the night vision 3/5 stars. I like that the cameras have wing nuts for their tilt adjustment so there’s no need to carry a screwdriver when aiming them. Of course that 2K video takes up a lot more disk space, so it might be best to reduce the recording quality. The DVR is advertised as a 12-channel unit, but only 8 of those are for hardwired cameras. The other 4 are wireless “wifi cameras”. It’s nice to have the ability to add more wireless cameras, but I’d not really call this 12 channels. In fact, with wifi cameras, why limit it to 4 additional channels? It could easily have been 8 additional wifi channels. Also, it’s network interface is hardwire only – no wifi Internet connectivity. That’s not a problem for me as I am wiring the whole house, but for those without a nearby Ethernet port, it could be a challenge to install. As much as I don’t care for phone apps, the DVR setup is super-easy using theirs. You download the app, tell it to add a DVR, and it uses Bluetooth to find and configure it. That part really could not be easier. Once configured, the app does work well. The DVR’s interface is fairly typical of security camera systems. It’s not the best UI, but it works and once you learn it, it’s not hard to use. The unit does appear to have a built-in web interface, but it won’t work with any modern browsers. Even when I tried running Chrome or Edge in “IE compatibility” mode for access, it wanted to download an ActiveX control that looked very suspscious. I never got that to work. Overall, this is not a bad system, but it could be better. I think it’s good for people who are not so tech-savvy with its easy setup and simple app. For users wanting a more sophisticated system, there are better choices.

The Night Owl 2k HD wired security system is a good system for the money. The cameras have a very clear picture and the colors are great. I have several different brands of security cameras and quite a bit of experience with them. With the Night Owl wired 2k system you get the advantage of a 1T Hard drive for plenty of space without worrying about a monthly subscription. While the night Owl system impresses me with it’s picture clarity and color reproduction there are some things that are needlessly lacking to me. For instance the cameras do not adjust horizontally only vertically which makes mounting and setting up the cameras and having them pointed exactly where you want them much more difficult. Additionally, while the clarity while zooming in is better than other systems the range is somewhat lacking. Another, thing I noticed while using the Night Owl secure app is that functionality is somewhat limited. I tried using landscape view and it did not appear to be an option. Also, basic detection settings and detection area selections are available but there is not an extensive list of settings to dig into for highly technical people like myself who like to adjust a lot of different aspects of the cameras settings. This system seems like a good system for normal folks who just want a good camera security system with a good picture set up with a monitor or TV in their home to keep an eye on the outside of their home. I would recommend it for people like that and it is competitively priced so it is a good option for someone that wants a simple to set up system that does the job without a monthly fee.

Safety, security and piece of mind for you, your loved ones and even your possessions. The world is changing and you need to adapt. Most people have a video doorbell, and those are great to a point, but have a narrowed view depending on the set up. To me the logical upgrade is a strong security camera system. I also believe the system should be simple, otherwise most people will just not deal with it. So if the camera takes care of itself and is low maintenance people are more likely to go for it. The Night Owl 12 Channel 4 Camera 1TB DVR Security System is a solid choice. So lets start with the cameras. They are 2-way cameras, so that means you can hear what they are seeing and speak back to whoever is on the other side. Sort of a standard option these days, if you consider most homes are being built with video doorbells. They are 2K (which is a very sharp image), full color and they have night vision capability. Also, what I like most about them is the ability to use the spotlight feature. The cameras are hard wired cameras, so you need to run wires to set these cameras up properly. Meaning, they don’t have their own battery and work off of wifi. They run off and plug into a DVR that in my case is located inside my garage. So if you are comfortable doing the installation, go for it. It was not that hard, but it is a lot more involved than putting up Christmas lights. I am sure there are videos online, but it may be something you want a professional to do if you are not comfortable getting on a ladder to install a camera. So many systems I researched sell you on the fact that all your data is in their cloud, nothing is local so you don’t need a DVR or some device to deal with. This all requires an internet connection. Since this system is self contained with a DVR that is 1TB, it doesn’t require internet. However, it can be connected to wifi and there is an app for your compatible phone that will give you the chance to get real time alerts and deal with things at the moment they happen. What I didn’t know about the system until I got it, was that it is expandable and you can add to it. Be it additional cameras or a video doorbell. At the end of the day, I am very happy with this set up with four cameras. It is more than enough to cover my two story single family home in the front, back and sides. I may add one more camera in the future, but for now I am very content. I think if you would like a home security system, this would be a great option for you or your business. I definitely recommend it and will be getting more parts for this one in the future.

I cannot imagine the house without a security system. 8 Cameras is more than enough to properly view the inner and outer perimeters of your house. It comes with wall rated audio cables long enough to reach literally anywhere throughout the house. That way you are not limited to where DVR is placed. I personally would get thicker cables that are rated to withstand the heat brought in the attic. The cameras themselves are pretty cool, comes with a bright light and a mic and speaker so you can talk and listen through it. You can also have audio recording for the DVR. Video quality is very good after I found the right monitor to connect it to. Wired connection is good because you don't have to worry about your recordings if the Wi-Fi goes out. The only thing Wi-Fi controls with a wire connection is the ability to access it from the app. However, the the inconvenience of the installation does not make it my favorite choice. Hire a professional or be very careful if you try to do it yourself. Take all the precautionary measures to ensure a secure connection to each terminal so that you don't have to go back and forth up the attic until required maintenance is necessary.

I have had quite a few surveillance systems throughout the years from all different brands. From wired to wireless, 1080p to 4k. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. This particular unit really, in my opinion, is a great unit that will fit most consumers needs. It uses the dvr system with wired connection. This set up has been around for awhile now so many people should have a compatible wiring already set up, just as I did. The cables from my older, not Night Owl, system worked perfectly for this camera and dvr system. Saved me time and money from replacing it. Actually, I took the opportunity setting this unit up and replaced a couple of the older cables. This was easier than I thought after watching some videos on how to do it. I do recommend though that before installing the system, you lay everything out and number the cameras and cables and have an idea of where you want to place each camera. Then plug in the unit to make sure everything is operating properly before you install. Had to learn this the hard way years ago. This Night Owl system is a definite upgrade from my older system. Just for the simple fact that I can now get audio from and send audio to the camera is a game changer. That was lacking on my old unit. It is really awesome to be able to hear what's going on in the location you choose from wherever you may be through your phone. Speaking of that, I really like the app. It is straight forward and really easy to use. So far, from what I've been playing with, I can control everything through the app and no longer have to deal with the user interface on the dvr itself. I prefer that. The user interface is a challenge, especially if this is your first time with a surveillance system. It took me some time figuring out all the things you can do with it, but the good thing is that you can do quite a bit. I didn't turn on the email and phone alerts because I found it inconsistent. The 2k resolution is more than good enough for anything around a home. This unit also is not only an 8 channel system but has the capability to add 4 wifi cameras. I haven't done this so I can't really comment on it. But to know that if I need additional cameras anywhere near the home, is cool. I'm thinking about putting one on my back wall pointed towards the house. This is definitely a great unit with more than enough cameras for most homes. I definitely recommend this surveillance system.

So looking for a good alterative to a security setup you pay for monthly. At first i was thinking the 2K video quality was not going to cut it because everything is 4K 8K but the price for me was just rite so i figured i would give it a try and if the picture was of potato quality well take it back. Well i was pleasantly surprised that the picture was very good. Just to forewarn you the cameras are not wireless. I knew this going in but a lot of people don't know that you have wires running from the DVR to the camera and depending on where you mount them you may have to drill some small holes to feed the wires. If your keeping it in the house or not to far away from the DVR you can run the wires on the floor along the kickboard and up the wall or along the ceiling. But if you are going to place the cameras outside your more than likely going to need to drill a hole to run wires outside. I was going to run the wires through the hinged are on my door but i knew it would eventually just break the wires so i drilled and use some clear permatex to plug the hole,so not a big deal and can't really see it anyways. So now you have the 4 camera mounted and wired up your in for a treat. First off the DVR can be used with a monitor or your phone via bluetooth,so you don't need to hook a monitor to it if you don't want. Also i already had a door cam but you can hook one up optionally to the dvr if i was reading it correctly. Also it has two way on the camera for speaking so not only can you hear them if say it's outside your door at home ,but you can hear them also.So very nice if say you are getting a deliver you can tell them leave it on the porch or what not. All in all im very happy with the system picture quality looks nice it has an alarm set rite in the camera so if someone is creeping in your yard at night it will set off alarms to scare them off and also you can yell at them to leave you called the police and there is a spotlight on them for the camera so it can pick up stuff you just can't see at night.The hardest part was not installing the system but drilling a hole in my door because i needed a longer drill bit than i ad in my toolbox. Great system for a decent price. Very happy with it and i will be dropping ADT once my subscription is up because now i don't need it.

Pros ———— 1. Wired and good quality cameras 2. Good night vision 3. 1TB dvr, no need for cloud 4. Easy setup CONS ——— 1. Its BNC and not POE What’s in the box ——————— * Wired DVR with 1TB Hard Drive * DVR Power Adapter * 6 ft. HDMI Cable * RJ-45 Cable (Ethernet) * USB Mouse * Support Material & Window Sticker Wired BNC Cameras: * 2K Wired Spotlight Cameras - 4 * 60 ft. Video/Power Camera Cables (1 per camera) * Camera Power Adapters * 4-Way Power splitters * Mounting Hardware and Screw Packets (1 per camera) Review ——— Setup is straightforward, either you can use your existing cables to connect or you can use the cables provided with the camera system for connection. Note that this is a BNC type camera. Best part is that you can add cameras unto 8 of them if needed. This particular model comes with 4 cameras. You can download the nightowl app to manage the cameras and get notifications. The video quality is very good during day and night. The 2 way sound quality is pretty nice. The alarm when it detects the motion is cool saying that the person is being recorded. I found that the motion sensing is a bit more sensitive than I liked it to be and there is no setting of motion detecting zones. The DVR includes Type A ports which can be used for downloading the videos to a USB device for future use The LED light on the camera is very useful to light up the object during night time. I think the only drawback is that this is not a POE but POE camera devices are lot more expensive as well. I would recommend this camera at this price

I have had a chance to work with several different security camera systems. However, they have typically all been from one brand. I was excited to get to try out the Night Owl 8 camera system. They are not a new company by any means. In the box, you have everything you need with the cameras themselves, the DVR, and cables. The cables are very long, about 60 feet so you should be good on that end. Installation was simple enough. It was replacing an older existing system so I did not really require much prep-work. Right off the bat, I was happy with the video quality. I have learned that the resolution does not equate to high video quality. The previous system was also 2K but the Night Owl system just seemed more "crisp." Details were clear. The audio was decent. It was not as impressive as the video quality but that is not the primary purpose of these. The two-way audio is always a nice touch. It works well. I personally have found that I never use it, but it works. The DVR system has a 1 TB hard drive which is awesome. I don't have to worry about subscription services or any nonsense like that. The interface is fairly straightforward. All in all, I have been very happy with the Night Owl 12 Channel 8 Camera 2K system.

The Night Owl - 12 Channel 4 Camera Wired 2K 1TB system offers high resolution video surveillance that works just as well at night as it does during the day. Offering up to 2k resolution for day or night, you will never be without eyes on the things or people that matter most to you. Weather resistant for most applications, motion/security lights, wide-angle viewing, and up to 1 TB of recording space to ensure you have the coverage and protections needed when you need them. Recall a recorded event if you need evidence for a police report or simply to find out why your motion lights are activating. I found this system to be solid and quality for the general use of security around the garage. It allowed me to cover most angles while giving me enough quality to distinguish features and faces when needed. My only complaint is that this is a wired system which is easily defeated by a cut wire. Yes, there would likely be a recording up to that point, but lost when other activities might occur. PROS - Night Owl quality and functionality - All-weather conditions, withstands most conditions - Large Hard Drive for retaining and recalling events and videos - Security lights CONS - Wired systems can be compromised.

The Night Owl 12 Channel 4 camera wired 2K 1 TB DVR system utilizes the same BNC connectors as my current system, this allowed for quick and easy installation. This new system allows for two-way talking, along with built-in spotlights. The range of the camera with night vision is 100 feet. You must be closer to the camera for the two-way talk. The new Night Owl 12 channel system has a spot for 8 wired cameras and four wireless cameras. The package comes with 4 camera modules with a speaker and microphone enclosed, and a powerful spotlight. The camera comes with 60 feet of cable/power cord for each camera. Additional lengths of BNC cable with power cord can be purchased. I have been able to add 2 100-foot lengths of BNC cable without any loss of signal. The set-up of the DVR box is easily completed by downloading the Night Owl Protect application on your smartphone. This can quickly be done by scanning the QR Code with your smartphone. Follow the instructions to register your system and set up the DVR. The package comes with everything you need to get started. I would suggest you look at your complete set up and plan before starting. The 6-feet long ethernet cord means you will need to have the DVR within 5 feet of the router. This also applies to the 6-feet long HDMI cord. The power cord for both the DVR and the cameras is 4-feet long. It is recommended that you use a surge protector for both the DVR and the cameras. The cameras record at 2K the literature states the monitor/TV screen should be at 1080K. Setting up the cameras within the application to the most time. You must adjust the sensitivity of each camera individually. On the high setting the slightest movement of the trees set it off. Setting the camera to the angle and then locking it into place was easier with 2 people. This system records excellent video and crisp sound, However the playback is only as good as your monitor/TV. Play back to a smartphone is of a good quality however the playback restricted by your screen size. You also could playback from the DVR. There are also 2 USB-A slots on the back. One is for the mouse, the other is for a USB memory stick. This is used to download video from the hard drive.

So I just received my Night Owl - 12 Channel 2K DVR System with 1 TB Hard Drive and 8 Wired Cameras a few days ago and have been putting it through its paces. I’ve used various other Night Owl systems over the years and they have become a brand that I love and trust. So I was excited to get this new system when it came along. Upon opening the package, you will notice you have 2 boxes. The first is the 1 TB DVR Hard Drive System and all of the cables and power cords needed for its connection. The 2nd box contains the 8 wired cameras as well as all over the necessary cables and power adapters and a wired mouse. Once you open up all the boxes, it would be a good idea to take note of everything you have. Ive never had an issue with missing parts or cable from Night owl before, though it’s good to know you have everything you need before getting started. Plan out where you would like each of the cameras to go and route their cables from that location to the DVR where they will be connected to the back of it. This may take some time if you’re installing this by yourself, but it’s very straightforward. Connect the HDMI to the back of your TV or whatever monitor you plan on using, and you have everything connected, download the Night Owl companion app from the App Store for iPhone or the Google Play Store for Android. Although everyone would love to have a 4K quality system, I believe the 2K system is just as good and nothing to shake a stick at. I mean once we got everything up and running and started testing out the system, I was surprised with the clarity of these 2K cameras as well as the 2-way audio sound quality. Everything was crisp and crystal clear. If you’re on the market for a nice surveillance system with no monthly fees and p[plenty of hard drive space, then you can’t go wrong with this Night Owl System.

The Night Owl 12 channel 4 camera wired 2k 1TB DVR security system with 2 way audio is just what I needed. The Night Owl system is a complete security system that comes with everything you need if you are looking to get you home covered. This system comes with 4 2k cameras and has the ability add 8 more wired cameras and 4 wireless cameras if you ever need to expand your system. The cameras comes with 60 feet of wire so you have enough to practically place them anywhere in an average sized home. The cameras also have two way audio which is a nice feature that I use as an intercom. I can talk to the kids playing out front or in the backyard. The system also comes with a 1TB hard drive in a small box which all the cameras connect to. Setup was pretty straight forward mount your cameras, run your wires and plug them into the hard drive box and setup the app. The app has all the controls and settings that you would expect in any modern device these days. The app is simple to use and lets you view and talk through your security system. The image is crisp and clear as well as the night vision. What I like most about the Night Owl system is that there is no subscription! I hate paying for monitoring and I have the peace of mind that my videos stay with me.

After having this system for a good chunk of time I can say that it will definitely get the job done! In the box, they give you pretty much everything you'll need to set the system up, besides the tools of course. Along with the cameras, the video wires, the DVR, and the power cables, you also get the mounting screws/hardware, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, and a mouse to navigate through the system. The power/video wires are satisfyingly long at 60 feet. It was more than enough to reach all the different parts of my home. Navigating through the user interface was quite simple. I did everything on my phone by connecting through Bluetooth and using the app. I'd also recommend connecting the DVR to the internet using the ethernet cable, as it provides more flexibility. The video quality is as advertised. Nothing special, but clear and distinguishable. The spotlight is okay. I don't really use that feature much but it's nice to have. The two-way audio is pretty good and definitely one of my favorite aspects of this system. I like that the DVR comes with 1T of storage, and I love that there is no subscription cost/requirement at all. Overall, I'd say you get a great system at this price point. This should be on your list to consider, especially if it's on sale.

This set offers a lot for the price. More than most other comparable units by a lot. It offers more cameras than comparable units, no monthly fees, 12 channels, and 60 feet of cable. I intended to use this to replace an outdated camera set of only 4 cameras. Setup and startup have been a breeze so far and I’ve had 0 issues. The wired cameras haven’t been an issue for me and the 60 feet of wire has been plenty for installation. I’m using these in my business and have been very pleased so far. App navigation and use is intuitive and not clunky as some other brands I’ve used. These cameras are pretty darn great during daylight and inside with lights on, night vision isn’t as clear as I’d like it to be but that seems to be the case with all the cameras I’ve tested… whether 2K, 4K, wired or wireless. The night vision isn’t where I wish it would be yet. This set is definitely plenty good enough to he’s used in my shop, and I’m not worried about the images being blurry at night due to the amount of cameras Included in this kit allowing me to place these exactly where I’d like them to be so I can ensure I get good clear views of anyone parking, driving up, or walking up to the building.

I recently purchased the Night Owl Security System and I am very impressed with it. The system comes with eight cameras and a DVR, and it supports 2K recording and playback. I was particularly impressed with the image quality of the system, both in the day and at night. I was able to clearly make out the make and model of cars that passed by my house, as well as tree branches and leaves. The two-way audio also worked well. I also like that the system does not require any monthly fees. This is a big savings over other security systems that charge a monthly fee for monitoring. The system also comes with a 1TB recording capacity, which is enough to store several days of footage. I did have some trouble with the mobile app at first, but the company was very helpful in troubleshooting the issue. They were able to resolve the problem quickly and I was able to start using the app without any further problems. Overall, I am very satisfied with the Night Owl Security System. It is a great option for those looking for a wired security system with excellent image quality and no monthly fees.

Ok so let me start off saying I had no idea what I was getting into with this thing. Was originally gonna get a ring camera for front and back of the house and then this came around. 8 cameras and a dvr. Awesome I’m in. And then I opened the box to put it up and lo and behold I was way out of my league. I’m pretty tech savvy but this thing was a whole new ball park after about two hours of back and forth trying to figure it out I gave up and called Best Buy to install. It wasn’t cheap at all but nothing I could do myself so keep that in mind before you buy it. Geek squad came out and like usual did a bang up job wires hidden everything in pristine working condition. Hooked it up to my phone and away we go. This thing is beyond awesome the clarity of the video is perfect. Two way audio super cool and I finally got to see what my two cats do all night I could have watched for hours. This thing is great motion sensors are awesome couldn’t ask for a better security unit. Just prepare yourself it’s wired and most of us will need professional assistance

Got this system after some back and forth. The best thing about this system is the two-way audio I believe. You can communicate two way with people all around your property and ours did not have any delay nor was it distorted as was our last experience with a security system.  We placed cameras all throughout the home exterior to cover all areas. I must warn anyone else who doesn't install stuff often --- plan to clear the day when you are installing this. Yes, it is fairly simple to install, but it takes a long time to map out all the wires for installation. I wouldn't do it myself; thankfully my brother is a professional and was able to do it for me. There is also 1TB hard drive space to store your video recordings....never know when you'll need them.  You also get voice alerts and can speak to people all around your property which is helpful. If I could add one con though --- I'd much prefer the wireless setup as opposed to the wired system I have. The wired system is probably more reliable truth be told because hard wire is not dependent on wifi connection and quality. Nonetheless, for installation purposes, you really need to do extra mapping out for wires and such with this system, so if that isn't your cup of tea, I'd pass on this one for the wireless option.

Like I can view via my phone no matter my location and without a subscription. Like 12 channels (8 wired, 4 wireless) DO NOT LIKE customer service at all, spent 1hr 40min on hold waiting for service trying to hook up my wireless cameras, when operator did come on, he only wanted to argue about my upload / download and did not resolve my problem. Went to chat line, they could not solve my connection problem, but scheduled a Level 2 call for Thursday at 4:30 CST that did not happen. Night Owl instead called me Saturday at 9:00am, I politely requested to call me at 4:30 CST on the following Monday. Night Owl again called me on that Saturday, I again politely requested "please call me on the following Monday at 4:30 CST. 45min later, Night Owl called again, I quickly regained my composure before speaking "I have kindly requested to PLEASE call me at 4:30 CST on Monday" He apologized, and said he would call on Monday. It is now Monday at 6:45pm, no call from Night Owl and after scouring the web, my wireless camera's still do not work with my DVR as I keep getting a precheck fail when I attempt to add them to my DVR. Yes the DVR is connected via Ethernet, yes my cameras are being connected via 2.4Ghz. DO NOT LIKE I can only see the cameras on my phone app and not have them on my DVR as advertised.

My first foray in Night owl products, and this 2K 4 camera system with the DVR was a good value and start. This is actually being used at a Church to protect the office area so I did not do the set up but I did very much appreciate the fact that the wires and everything needed for the install were included. Some of the great things that make this a great purchase is the lack of a monthly fee, the Ability to use an app that works well with some other cameras. The quality is what you would expect but from my understanding the frame rate is higher than other brands which might be something valuable depending on where you are using it. The cameras look great and the dvr is tiny. It stores enough where it doesn’t overwrite things too quickly giving you time to send a video to the authorities if needed. The two way communication is a must for us at the Church as it is nice to tell someone our hours if we get that notification and no one is available. Overall for the value I give it a 5 stars.

awesome cameras, they are good quality and picks up everything .