Customer Ratings & Reviews

One thing that's always kept me from getting a security camera system is my concern with how difficult and expensive installing a system would be. So I was excited to get this system which touts ease of installation and setup. And I have to say, it couldn't be much easier. The hardest part of installing this is going to be routing the wires from the dvr to the cameras themselves. 2nd hardest will be attaching the cameras to the wall/ceiling, which honestly isn't that difficult. The rest is as easy as hooking up a game console or cable box. Luckily my house has pre-wired surround sound, so I was able to fish the wires up into the attic using the speaker wires, and then once in the attic all I had to do was stretch them out to where the cameras were going to go and drill the holes so that they can connect to the cameras. Of course if you're not in a position to do that you can always get professional installation or even a general contractor to do that part for you. Setting up the dvr itself is a breeze. With all the wires hooked up, just plug in the supplied mouse, turn on the TV, and follow the on-screen wizard the same as you would for any computer program. If you miss something or have an incorrect setting, its easy to just open the menu and change any settings you need to. You'll see the video from the images almost immediately, and they may look low quality at first, but as soon as the dvr detects an hdtv and you change the settings for hd, the quality is very good. Once you have that all setup, you can then download the mobile app, and add the system to your account, which is even simpler to do. Just scan the QR code on the dvr and it walks you right through it. In just a couple minutes I was already watching the camera streams on my phone. This is where the system really shines. You can check in anytime with your phone, take any stream to full screen, adjust the video settings, and even control the lights as well as turn on flashing red/blue alarm lights. The wireless tracking camera is even easier. Set it on a mantle, dresser, furniture, or mount it on the wall, and add it to the same app alongside the wired system. The DVR actually has connections for 8 cameras, making this expandable by simply buying extra cameras. Best of all though, for what you get and how well this system works, it's not as expensive as you'd think making it a great value and leaving no excuse to not get this security system if you've ever debated getting one.

This Swann 8 Channel system comes with everything you need except the Monitor/TV. The Swann 8 Channel 1TB, 4x 1080p Enforcer™ comes with 4 FHD (1080p) cameras, which allows you to add 4 additional cameras. Setup of the DVR and sofware was about as simple as you can get. You do need to connect it to your router, which can be done using an Ethernet cable or provided wifi antenna, expanding your options for DVR placement. Downloading the app is as simple as scanning the provided bar code. The only challenge in installtion is that other than the cool Tracker Security Camera that comes in this kit, cameras have to be connected via the provided coax cable, meaning you'll have to run wires through the attic, etc. in order to connect them to the DVR. The video quality is very good, even at night. They are also equipped with features such as color night vision, spot light, and you can activate red and blue warning lights with sirens when detecting motion to act as a deterrent (though I haven't had the chance to test false alarms which might be a bit annoying if this feature is used). While the overall clarity was good, at 1080p details are somewhat lacking. It's hard to distinguish faces from more than 12-15 feet away, and while you can tell the make/model of a car at 30ft and beyond, the license plate is not legible. I would recommend geting 4k cameras for the other available channels, if possible. I tried using some I have, but while the software detected a camera, no video was avaialable. I haven't had a chance to reach out to their tech support to see if this is a viable option. The DVR provides 1TB for local video storage, shich is enough for several days at 1080p. 4k would require additional sotrage. Live view and recording can be accessed using the mobile app. You can check in anytime with your phone, view any channel at full screen, adjust the video settings, and even control the lights as well as turn on flashing red/blue alarm lights. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are supported. While I would like a little more detail in the video, at the MSRP with tracker camera to go with the 4 internal/external cameras and 4 additional channels to add more cameras down the road, this system is a great value. It doesn't require a subcription and comes as a complete kit. A great starter kit protect your home.

Believe this about my 8th installation of camera security systems both at two commercial sites and various units at home. First impression of the Swann Enforcer is the DVR appears very solid and well-constructed. The plastic cameras on first look are light and not quite sure of long-term outdoor durability. That said the performance of the cameras are fantastic. Setup is relatively simple; all items are well packed and ready for installation upon opening the box. Being knowledgeable of networking is a plus when installing as well as having a well thought out plan of your wiring and placement of the DVR and cameras. The Swann is like two other systems I have installed previously in terms of system settings and wiring. The Swan DVR Settings Menu interface is well laid out and readily understandable. That is a definite improvement over some older systems I installed and operated. Two aspects of the system I appreciate are the gorgeous video and the build quality of the DVR. The video at 1080p is vivid and night vision is so sharp it picked up a small flying insect clearly at eight feet! System supports Wi-Fi which I welcomed as my detached garage installation site has Wi-Fi and was able to complete installation prior to completing the wiring of ethernet to the garage. The system does support 4K which I have not tested which is cool except for video storage. My experience of running an eight-camera system at 720p allows for approximately about 30 days of video recording on 1TB drive. 720p was always sufficient for security use playback. Though if your main use is monitoring with app from phone 1080p or 4K may be a good idea. Good Stuff: • Alexa, Google Assistant, and Dropbox support • 100 ft night vision • Indoor & Outdoor • Expandable to Eight Cameras • Wi-Fi as well as Ethernet support • Robust Networking support • Cloud support option • Siren and police style lights – great for spooking an intruder - Can be triggered from app • Camera Spotlight • Support for up to eight cameras • Downloadable manual – good documentation • Lots of window stickers – Having in the windows deters intruders • Phone app for remote real-time viewing and management • TrueDetect™ Heat & Motion Detection • IP66-rated weatherproofing Other: • Would like if the DVR had two rear panel USB ports, if you use Wi-Fi you will have to choose to either plug the mouse or Wi-Fi antenna into a front USB port. There are two USB’s on the front Panel. • Camera directional mount adjustment is difficult, a bit flimsy. If you are looking for an expandable DVR Camera Security system you will find the Swann meets the requirements and exceeds technically in several areas. Bottom-line with security systems is that they provide protection for your home and family or business which is active and available 24 hours a day remotely anywhere.

This security camera system comes complete with everything you need (except the monitor), and it is a simple DIY project. You don’t need a lot of technical knowledge to do the setup. The hardest part for some might be running the wires on the attic or behind the wall. Before permanently installing the system, I highly recommended connecting everything (all cameras, DVR, Ethernet cable, monitor, mouse, etc.) and test it to make sure they all work correctly. For future connection updates and complete the installation error-free, label connecting wire with the designated zone/room. During this pr-test, perform the firmware updates if prompted. The kit includes the option for a wireless (Wi-Fi) internet connection. For my location, I used Ethernet because the DVR is near the router. The wired cameras have a decent image quality for DIY home installation or small business. The cameras produce clear images, and the motion sensor works as expected. When using the dedicated app, the cameras include the spotlight and flashing alarm lights to deter intruders. The tracker camera is nice and also easy to set up with the Swann Security app. What I like about the wireless camera is that it tracks moving objects and that it has 2-way talk. The night vision features are color, which, once triggered, the spotlights will turn on. Overall, I like this camera system; it connects very easily, the app is easy to use, and you get decent image quality.

The DVR recorder lasted three years then out of nowhere the hard drive stopped working

Easy to setup and use. I decided to put the DVR in an obscure location, and connected it to my computer monitor in another room with 50 foot HDMI and USB cords. The 1080p video quality is more than sufficient for my needs. The best feature is that I can monitor any/all feeds on my phone. It turns out that I rarely refer to the wired monitor.

The cameras themselves feel pretty like cheap plastic. But their video quality is good and easy to set up. I did have problems with the wifi dongle so I just connected it With LAN cable and haven’t lost connection anymore.

Only thing missing on these cameras is a microphone. The outside cameras do not record audio without an additional microphone mounted near camera and having wires go to the DVR box. DVR box has only one audio in so only one camera can record audio with the microphone (bought separately with help of Swann). Recommended to get waterproof microphone if you want to use it with this system. Picture is clear and changes from day to night mode automatically. Swann app works for both android and apple products. Notices sent went motion is detected in camera area and can be played back on registered devices. Hope it expands to detect loud sounds and send notices for those too.

I bought this because it says it has audio however the cameras themselves do not have the capability to record audio. Im very disappointed since that is a major reason why I made this purchase. The video quality and set up is not hard but wouldve been nice to have correct information before purchasing this. Also it says the lights can be turned of and unless my cameras were defective, the lights stay on even though I changed it on the settings. I will be returning this. If anyone has better recommendations i would appreciate it as I am looking for a 24 hour VIDEO AND AUDIO surveillance.

Its a good purchase. I do wish the night vision was a little better but over all the picture quality is good during the day.

This SWANN kit gives you everything you need to hard-wire a complete indoor/outdoor solution that doesn't rely on the cloud, and can store your recordings on premises for those looking to avoid trusting your footage and home/personal perimeter activities to one of the cloud-based security companies and whomever they might be acquired by as the industry consolidates. This kit is pretty deluxe - everything you need to install the included 4 cameras in the box. It took me a while to arrange the cameras in installable places that gave me the visibility coverage I needed. I started with the outdoor cameras. These were lightweight, small footprint and EASY to mount! They have great positionability with their ball-mount, and very flexible applications due to a small base. Some of them are mounted to soffits, some to side walls of the garage doorframe, and other places as needed in both inverted and upright positions. The cameras themselves are pretty incredible with both heat detection (which worked well in my tests - Particularly in the darker areas of my yard when objects got close enough) to better motion sensing than I experienced with competing cameras that these SWANN models replaced. Night vision was just OK, as it sets off a white light when used, and doesn’t use IR and the siren-like alerts seem like a good deterrent but likely won’t get a lot of use in my use case, since we’re hardly ever in a position to catch someone live and need to scare them off the property. Our use case is more to have a recording of what happens in case there is an event... The included WiFi indoor camera is of less interest to me, as constantly recording indoor activities is more or a niche interest for most, but in testing, worked well to track movement and has a magnetic base for some “interesting” mounting options. It connected well to my WiFi, even when 40+ft away from the router and with several walls between. It has excellent video quality and much easier placement/movement since it only requires powered outlet connectivity. It does NOT work with the DVR and really is just an add-on product and doesn’t work with the rest of the products at all. Requires a mobile device and app to operate. It's an odd inclusion. The DVR itself has 1TB of storage, which sounds like quite a bit but higher end systems are coming with 2TB these days, but I’ve never needed more than 1TB without a desire to hoard old video data beyond 2-3 weeks for some reason. In the “security” use case, 1TB will meet your needs. If you’re looking at this from a “nosy neighbor” or “surveillance” use case, more storage will be needed to retain footage over time, but why would you really want to do that unless you have a business case? The DVR connects easily to any HDMI display, and can be connected wirelessly to the network via the included USB WiFi dongle, which allows for flexibility for installation away from the business or home router where a display can be accessed. The included wiring and mounting hardware converts the required power and data connections to the cameras into a very thin, pliable wire that can be tucked into siding, and slips under/between door seals nicely to ease in the process of routing outdoor cameras back indoors. Fishing this wire through walls is much easier than bulkier wire sets required by some of the competition. There’s also plenty of wire included to drive connectivity to the DVR from all of the out points of the cameras. I didn’t add the system to my Google Home/Nest setup, as I wasn’t sure what the value add was there and there’s very little mention of it in the instructions or on SWANN’s website. I assume there is just voice command abilities as I have read nothing about having the ability to view these camera feeds on Nest Hub devices or Chromecast, which would be the only valuable use. I dont do Alexa at all, so no way to check on that. This is a comprehensive traditional digital security system. The reliability and video quality of wired closed-circuit connections can’t be disputed but the wireless guys are catching up fast. This system will definitely meet your needs if you know what you’re getting into installation-wise. An excellent system overall!

AWESOME cameras!! The light and siren are sweet! the only problem is the light always stayed on so you have to go through some menus to turn them off. The resolution is great ... zooming is great.. best purchase this year!

I have these cameras installed on several properties

Amazing quality, easy set up. Also can expand this to an 8 camera setup. Wasn't wild about attaching the cables around the house, but glad I purchased this system.

The Swann system is great! The cameras are clear and nice! Everything that was needed came in the box. The only problem I'm having is with the WiFi camera. It won't stay connected to my WiFi. It's probably on my end though........

works great- got 4 more dome cameras from swann to have 8 total

Budget Security Camera but this is a good one.easy to install.access footage on smart phone.love it!

I'm completely satisfied with the features and detail of video inability to change the hard drive if you have a bigger one. This security system is relatively simple. The ability to use them indoor or outdoor also eyes great since most systems that let you put them outside or wildly expensive. I completely recommend getting this if you looking for a starter security system or CC TV.

Very nice, easy to set up, great picture on phone app. App very easy.

Great security system picture quality is great I like the fact that it has flood lights rather then night vision. Was really easy to set up and connect it to my phone. Shipping was a lot faster then everyplace I have ordered from came in earlier then projected time of arrival witch is really good considering where I live in alaska