Customers find value in the Swann Fourtify 4 Wireless Security Camera System for its easy setup, weatherproof design, and impressive video quality, both in daylight and darkness. While some customers wish the additional cameras were wireless, many are pleased with the overall performance and reliability of the system.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
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Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Motion detection, Night vision
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Easy system to set up!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I’m writing this review after having a few days to play with these cameras and app. Setup is super easy, just download the Swann Security app to your mobile device and create a login, tap the “pair device” button in the app and power up the main camera. The app and the camera then walk you through the rest of the setup. I had my wifi router already configured to use both the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies, the main camera only connects at 2.4 GHz which it did automatically after I selected my wifi network and entered the wifi password in the app. It did take a minute after setup finished before the live view appeared in the app. You can connect just the main camera at first if you want, then add the other three cameras later on when you have time which is what I did, the app added in the additional cameras seamlessly. Only the main camera has a microphone and speaker, the other three are just cameras so take that into account for your installation. The app has a push-to-talk button when you tap the mic icon in the live view of the main camera and you get live audio on that camera as well. There’s also a siren that you can activate yourself or automatically in the settings to scare off intruders when they get too close. One nice feature is that the notifications that come to my phone indicate either “motion detected” or “person detected” so I have some idea immediately if it’s a small animal or a person in range.
The manual said to take your smartphone to the location you’d like to mount the main camera and make sure you have at least two full bars of wifi showing to be sure you’ll have a good connection. That’s a neat thing about these cameras, after you pair it but before you mount the main camera and run any cables, you can just plug the power supply in and hold the camera where you think you want it, check the view you’ll get in the app and check the wifi reception in device settings also so you’ll know if you’re good before you drill any holes. The main camera just needs a 120v outlet to plug in the power supply, then there are 60ft camera extension cables and a 40ft power extension cable to make up the connections.
Picture quality- these are 1080p cameras so you’ll get good video of people closer to your house but may not be able to capture something small like vehicle license plate numbers out in the street unless they’re facing the camera nearly head on. Night vision on these is great, the infrared illumination is actually fairly even without hot spots. If you need greater detail farther away, you might need to look into a 4k or better camera system.
The app allows you to take photos from the live view or a recorded clip and puts them straight into the camera roll on your mobile device. Super easy. For videos, you can tap the video cam button in the app but my experience with that gave me a grainy, choppy video. What worked for me was to save a recorded clip into my Onedrive folder and transfer it out from there to share. I thought I would have to remove the microSD card from the camera to move video clips to my PC but, happily, that is not the case. The app does it all.
Note that you don’t have to sign up for a Secure+ plan, but you do get additional cloud storage if you do.
There’s a motion detection mask that you can paint in through the app to help with false alerts. For instance, we have a potted plant on our porch that moves with the wind. I painted a mask over the plant so the moving leaves don’t trigger a motion alert every time the wind blows.
Another nice feature about the app is it allows you to configure three modes: home, night, and away. This allows you to set different sensitivities for whether you’re in the house and active, in bed, or out of the house. You can build a schedule and it will switch modes following your schedule.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Motion detection, Night vision
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Tried and true
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I’ve had plenty of other security cameras and they all do the same thing. I was looking for longevity. Swann has been around since I was a kid. Tried and true.
Everything that was needed was included in the box, only thing missing was things that I preferred but not necessarily needed for installation. Basic knowledge of cameras and wifi are needed. I did however watch a couple of videos to fully understand how the system functioned.
I have an office that I put my router, cable box and other home base electric systems in so, I made sure to run everything from this room and I found out quick that the cameras had to go through walls and didn’t come with enough cord to get to where I wanted them to go.
Positive is 4 cameras is literally the bare minimum for security no matter the space. Mounting them was super easy, just make sure you don’t mount them to anything flimsy. And make sure you have good wifi signal or all of this is for nothing.
Download the app and you are good to go. The main camera has the hotspot so make it the central location.
The view or video is super clear even at night which I think is because of the wired cameras but if you lose power, you lose the cameras.
Overall great, system.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Motion detection, Night vision, Weatherproof
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
5 stars for quality/ mounting issues
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
5 Stars because it works as advertised. One star on detailed mounting instructions, LAN functionality/test and size of bundle near first camera.
Swann - Fourtify 4 Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security System
Model:SWIFI-FOURTIFY4-US
SKU:6518683
HIGH Quality WIFI wired system:
Easy setup over WIFI with optional LAN
Additional manual located at the Swann site
1 year warranty
Comes with most parts needed for mounting
64GB card with optional 256GB
Can view all recorded videos with cell phone for free
Completely adjustable captures
Swann name for quality wired systems
Single wire of main wire bundle out the back of the main unit/ Too short!
10.IR function is outstanding
Setup:
Follow the directions exactly on initial setup as the assembly/setup instructions are mostly clear for setup.
But think the wiring process through as there are a lot of wires to deal with.
Set up system wires to the main unit before going into the attic and test fire/setup the whole system in the house on a table before mounting on the house.
Also, no detailed information on the LAN connection on how it works and how to tell if it is working. It took a lot of work to run this through the attic with no way to check it. Only WIFI is listed in the app.
Be advised that the main camera does not have a mounting gasket of any kind with no instructions on how and where to mount the main camera or any camera.
Once the main unit was mounted, I hooked up the final main unit connections.
I swapped out the 64GB for a 256GB but it is not needed. You can delete all files remotely with your cell phone hence no urgent need for a larger card.
Live and recorded views are always available on your phone app with no cloud service.
There was a hidden USB C port behind the large cover with no instructions on its purpose.
Without a proper covering of the exposed section of the L bracket insects and water will enter the back of the unit if not mounted against the inner top of the soffit against the wall. All the child node cameras had gaskets.
No detailed pictures on the preferred way to mount the cameras. In order to get the antennas pointed straight up you will have to mount this on a wall. And that has issues as the protected soffit is the best place to keep it out of the sun and rain and hide all connection cables.
In addition, there were no instructions for the LAN sleave.
All settings for camera captures are adjustable. Use the factory defaults as a starter. The main unit has a siren and two-way voice (child nodes do not have this feature). Be careful when you activate the siren as I would set it for night when away from the house. Be careful as it will drive the neighbors crazy if you set it wrong (comes in the off position). This is probably off for a reason as it will go off for every delivery you have if not set up properly. LOL
Final thoughts:
This is a high-quality system that can do just about everything. Swann has a long reputation for making quality products that are designed properly. They are dependable, reliable, user friendly, and at the right price point.
This could be an easier way to secure your home without rewiring your whole attic. However, child node cameras require significant cabling.
Buy two systems so you can cover the front and back of a large home.
I mounted an AX 5300 mesh child node on my laundry room shelf with a UPS. Then ran the power and LAN cables through the wall, then attic, then to the soffit for the main unit.
The unit will work without a LAN connection if you cannot run LAN wires to a mesh or switch. Not sure it will work (after WIFI setup) on a LAN connection. Unable to test this LAN functionality and not sure if it shows properly in my LINKSYS menu.
Unable to find out if two or more of these can work on the same app!
I bought two more child nodes for my AX mesh and mounted one inside the laundry room near the garage attic junction to hook up a LAN. Also added a UPS!
I assume this is internally sealed somehow to keep the rain out.
Strongly suggest you mount the cameras in a way they are not exposed to the sun or blowing rain.
Crawling through an attic and pulling 4 sets of wires to the main unit was a pain.
Very large mess of wires near the main camera which have to be hidden. Requires a very large hole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Soffit mounting may not be possible as all modern soffits are not framed (only metal strips down the edges).
Suggestions for Swann:
Make the main camera combined all in one cable long enough to get the octopus connections further into the attic.
Provide a down-loadable document on proper mounting of units.
Update software to allow LAN/com check !
Offer an install kit option to properly mount these.
Pictures enclosed!
Description
The Fourtify Wi-Fi Security Kit is a great way to get more security for less. It’s easy to install and you’ll have multi-camera
monitoring in the palm of your hand before you know it. Simply connect the main camera to power and your wi-fi network, then using the cables, connect the three additional cameras to the main camera. Having 4 weatherproof cameras allows you to have full perimeter protection and you’ll know what’s happening at any hour. You’ll have night vision, 2-way audio, True Detect heat and motion detection, and 1080p Full HD resolution.
Features
Wide viewing angles
Wide viewing angles and 1080p Full HD video.
Easy installation
The entire system powers from one power cable into the main camera, eliminating the need for extra sockets and power cables.
Ethernet
Ethernet option on main Camera boosts performance in poor Wi-Fi environments.
Truly reliable security
With True Detect, heat from people and cars triggers push notifications and video recording.
Talk to visitors
Use the microphone and speaker to talk with people near the camera. Scare off intruders or ask the delivery person to hide the package somewhere safe.
Cost effective
Low cost of ownership with free alerts and local storage.
Want more security
Receive peace of mind from having additional cloud video recording, smart alerts, rich notifications, 3 year extended warranty, insurance coverage and exclusive special offers.
Key Specs
Camera Resolution
1080
Field Of View
90 degrees
Night Vision
Yes
Number Of Cameras Included
3
Camera Power Source
Cable with AC Adapter/Plug-in
Works With
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Storage Type
Cloud, Memory card
Indoor Or Outdoor Use
Indoor and outdoor
Minimum Operating Temperature
-22 degrees fahrenheit
Maximum Operating Temperature
122 degrees fahrenheit
General
Product Name
Fourtify 4 Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security System
Brand
Swann
Model Number
SWIFI-FOURTIFY4-US
Camera
Camera Resolution
1080
Field Of View
90 degrees
Night Vision
Yes
Night Vision Distance
100 feet
Number Of Cameras Included
3
Power
Camera Power Source
Cable with AC Adapter/Plug-in
Compatibility
App Compatible
Yes
Camera Compatibility
Swann
Works With
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Connectivity
Camera Connectivity
Wired
Storage
Storage Type
Cloud, Memory card
Performance
Indoor Or Outdoor Use
Indoor and outdoor
Minimum Operating Temperature
-22 degrees fahrenheit
Maximum Operating Temperature
122 degrees fahrenheit
Features
Mobile Notifications
Yes
Included
Camera(s) Included
Yes
DVR Included
No
Cable(s) Included
Yes
Warranty
Manufacturer's Warranty - Parts
1 year
Manufacturer's Warranty - Labor
1 year
Other
UPC
840236134557
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup
Cons mentioned:
Limited settings, No speaker
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Easy to setup and install
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This Swann camera set is a pretty good value for what it offers. I’ve had experience with the “older” camera setups that used an NVR and BNC cables, and the newer camera setups that are more wireless and higher tech with apps, and this Swann package offers the best of both worlds. I’ve never been a big fan of wireless devices as they are not nearly as reliable or fast as a hard-wired cables, but when it comes to camera’s the wireless option can be a big relief.
To recap this setup, you will still have to run these BNC cables throughout your house, but instead of having to connect to one NVR or central source that sits in a single room, your central source is the primary camera which is less in-wall wiring and running of cables. You only need a single power source to run all these cameras, so if you have a power outlet in your attic your job is already super easy. I personally am running a network cable to the main camera (optional), and the other camera’s feed into the main camera. Do keep in mind that you will need wifi to setup your camera’s even if you do have a hard cable. Setup was straightforward and all done from your phone. The App has a solid rating of 4.7 in the iOS app store which is pretty rock solid, and I believe works with most of Swann’s newer camera systems, so you can mix and add different Swann cameras and manage all from one interface.
There is one SD card in the main camera for all the cameras, 64GB which is included but can expand to 256GB to hold additional recordings. I am impressed with the quality of the live view when set to High and night vision works quite well. Each camera (channel) can be defined with its own detection settings which I like, so some area’s can be more motion-sensitive than others. The main camera has additional features that the other cameras don’t, such as triggering an alarm manually or by motion, and a microphone/speaker combo to listen in and/or talk with people. Unfortunately, you do not have these options with the other cameras, but the options you do have with all cameras is to take a snapshot photo and manually record videos. You can also pinch-to-zoom with live view and during playback to get a closer view.
One thing to note is that these camera’s only record motion events and do not record 24x7. If you have detection settings set to off, you will have no recordings. I prefer 24x7 recordings personally in case things don’t get picked up, but I understand that most newer camera systems that don’t have a large physical hard drive will not support this.
TLDR;
Pros
- Easy setup overall, with wiring and the initial app setup
- Good streaming quality, see daytime and nighttime image attached
- I like the alarm, it is reasonably loud but not excessive.
- Simple interface to manage the cameras
- Memory card included and upgradeable
- Ethernet cable optional for better quality or as a backup if wifi fails
- Picks up motion well and sends alerts to your phone
- Premium subscription option for cloud storage and other perks at a reasonable cost
- Nice option esthetically to keep camera’s indoors/outdoors/mixed. The secondary camera’s are smaller and lightweight, less obvious than a bulky camera
Not so Pros:
- Microphone could be improved, quality is mediocre
- Limited options for camera management settings. Would like to see additional settings for recordings
- Camera’s 2-4 do not have a microphone or speaker, they are basically 3 extra sets of eyes for the main camera
- No option to record motion without notifications enabled (can be annoying during high traffic moments)
Overall I think this is a great value. 4 Camera’s with 1080p full HD that is hardwired and never have to worry about battery life and easy management from a phone. I also plug my camera’s and network devices into a battery backup (similar to whats used for computers) to keep the camera’s active even if there is a power outage. While I’m fairly new to the Swann brand and this is my second product, they are starting to become one of my favorites.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Swann
Posted .
Hello Jp223,
Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your feedback on your experience with our Swann - Fourtify 4 Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security System. Your detailed review gives us a user's insight into how we have done things correctly to help improve your sense of security and those that could use some improvement. Long term our support team will continue to launch updates to the firmware and application to help further improve your experience. If you come up with any questions or require any further assistance please know that we do offer 24-hour technical support. Click on the blue box in the bottom right-hand corner to live chat with a technical support agent or contact us over the phone.
https://support.swann.com/hc/en-us
Your feedback is important to us and will be shared with members of our product development teams.
Please let us know how we may further assist you,
Thank you, JV Swann Customer Support
Pros mentioned:
Motion detection
Cons mentioned:
Live view
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
No NVR/DVR... Nice for remote locations.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Eliminates the NVR/DVR.
Ok. So I modified the use of this for a custom installation. Disclaimer. This worked for me. Do this at your own risk. I can't be responsible for anything that happens that may go wrong if you try this.
This main device requires that it be mounted into some type of a structural building part because it needs to hide the device wires.
So I took it a bit further and used an exterior rated jbox and and zipped tied it to my exterior tree and zipped tied another camera to another branch and boom I have a super remote monitoring system.
Luckily I have an outlet at the bottom of the tree and my WiFi reaches all the way to the tree.
So if you will set this up on a regular set up on a house or building and you don't know how to run the Siamese binary wires Please hire someone....it will save you a lot of grief.
Also make sure you set everything up on the table first prior to laying any wires etc.
Overall technology setup was super fast. It took all but 15 to 20in which included a firmware update.
Software interface was easy to use.
Camera resolution was decent for 1080. Wished it was 4K.
Live view has about a 30 to 45 sex lag.
All.othe functions are good..
For what I did and what it is intended, I think this system is great.
I would recommend this product.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Swann
Posted .
Hello PhillipB,
Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your positive feedback on our Swann - Fourtify 4 Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security System. It is great to hear from your perspective on how we have since improved your sense of security. It is our goal at Swann to make great security solutions that are affordable and easy to use. Swann understands that true security is about preventing crime, that’s why most cameras now feature sensor lighting, alarms, sirens, two-way talk and more. We hope you continue to enjoy all the great features the system has to offer. If you come up with any questions or require any further assistance please know that we do offer 24 hour technical support. Click on the blue box on the bottom right-hand corner to live chat with a technical support agent or contact us over the phone.
https://support.swann.com/hc/en-us
Your feedback is important to us and greatly appreciated.
Please let us know how we may further assist you,
Thank you. JV Swann Customer Support
Pros mentioned:
Video quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Affordable 4 camera security system!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
One of the issues that stop many people to install wireless security cameras is the battery, because they are wireless devices, they have batteries that periodically have to be recharged. With this four camera system the battery problem is solved, since it has a main camera from which the remaining cameras get power and also connect wired to send the video signal, then the main camera is the one that sends the signal via wifi.
In the box come two boxes one where come the 3 regular cameras, with cables and accessories, in the second box comes the main camera with a cable extension for connection to the power supply and accessories for installation.
In the box includes an installation guide that at first seems a little confusing the diagram that comes printed, however once you start connecting the first cables is becoming simpler installation, it takes a little time and patience. Once you have chosen the right place to install the cameras and installed everything correctly you will need to download the Swann Sevurity app to configure the cameras.
The configuration is not complicated but I consider that the app needs some improvements because when synchronizing the cameras the app indicates that everything is configured correctly but when reviewing the recordings of the detected events, it was not possible to view them, I had to turn off the cameras, remove and insert again the 64gb micro sd that comes previously installed in the main camera, after turning on the cameras again it began to record the movement or people detected. Regarding the detection I think it has very good sensors even in medium sensitivity as it can be increased if necessary.
The app sends notifications almost immediately after having detected movement or a person, what I don't like is that if I click on the notification, it takes me to the live view of the camera in question instead of showing me the recording of what it detected. Despite this, the recordings are saved by date and time, and can be exported if necessary.
You can program zones where you do not want the cameras to detect motion. The main camera is the only one that has speaker and microphone which fulfill their function, they are not of great quality but they are of great help.
It is possible to connect the cameras via ethernet which makes the connection of the cameras to the home internet network even more stable.
The video quality is very good in color and in night mode, however it is not possible to modify anything in terms of video capture in the settins inside the app.
In summary it seems to me that it is a very affordable security system considering that there are four wireless cameras, the app fulfills its function satisfactorily keeping you informed of what happens around your home, although it does not record continuously, quickly detects movement or unwanted guests. Honestly for that price I think you get more than you pay for, definitely recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Swann
Posted .
Dear Serv,
Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your positive feedback on our Swann System. We are glad to know that you are happy with your most recent purchase of our Swann System. Here at Swann, we believe that there is always room for improvement. We will continue to launch updates to the firmware and application to help further improve your experience. If you have any feedback or things you feel could make your experience better, please let us know. We hope you continue to enjoy all the great features the system has to offer. If you come up with any questions or require any further assistance please know that we do offer 24-hour technical support. Click on the blue box on the bottom right-hand corner to live chat with a technical support agent or contact us over the phone. https://support.swann.com/hc/en-us
Your feedback is important to us. LV - Swann Team
Pros mentioned:
Motion detection
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Unique 4-camera system for your home
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Swann Fourify camera is not a cloud storage camera and not a traditional DVR / NVR; it is a multi-camera hybrid local storage camera. It has limitations in use, and depending on your situation, this camera would work for you. The first point to note is that this is NOT a continuously recording camera system like DVR/NVR and some cloud cameras. This system is a motion-triggered camera that records on a 64GB microSD. You can replace it with a larger microSD card, but it is not continuously recording. Its placement limits you much more than traditional DVRs; for one, the primary camera (the one with the power, video inputs, and microSD) has to be placed close to a decent wifi signal to allow your system to be able to work remotely for motion alerts (or you can use an ethernet cable after wifi setup is complete to provide internet). Since this camera is the only one with a microphone and a 2-way audio feature, its placement is critical to use it for a 2-way audio feature.
This brings me to the next issue with the cabling. The primary camera comes with a power supply that can be plugged up to 40 feet from the camera with the provided extender. Once extended, you use the included 4-way splitter to power your primary camera and the three additional slave cameras. The primary camera has three additional BNC connectors to provide power and video feed links to the slaves. This is messy cabling and no real way to hide it when installed on a wall. Even if you make it look neat, you still have a single point of failure with the power / BNC cables. In a traditional DVR, these are independently replaceable.
Setting up the camera via the app is easy, and having used a Swann wifi camera recently, the initial setup is familiar and easy. Once you install the Swann app and sign in, you turn on the primary camera. The voice prompts will guide you through the process. This process should be done before you mount the camera on the wall, as you will need a sufficient wifi signal for the initial setup. Swann requires at least 2 bars of 2.4 GHz (a very subjective way to define wifi internet quality) to be able to operate the camera remotely properly. The app allows you to create hot zones to allow better motion capture of the camera.
Picture quality output from the camera is not bad, but as with my previous Swann wifi camera, a lot of edge enhancement to make that 1080P look crisp, which also loses a bit of detail. Night vision is accurate and workable for capturing people as long as they are walking across the motion detector sensor. The cameras are about an 80-85* viewing angle, which is adequate for most situations. You can replace the cameras with standard DVR wide-angle cameras should the provided cameras not satisfy. You will lose the infrared PIR sensor on aftermarket cameras as they generally do not come with that feature.
This camera system is very niche in its application and use. Traditional DVR / NVR provides more flexibility and greater recording capacity. Cloud cameras allow more installation flexibility, and many allow continuous recording and motion-triggered event recording. This Swann Fortify, it seems, provides a good hybrid experience but falls short due to its limitation in placement. If you plan to use this camera to monitor inside your house and not outside, this will work fine, but I still think at that point, a cloud-connected camera or one of the Swann CoreCams is a much more flexible solution. On the other hand, if you need a unified DVR recorder with the occasional motion-triggered recording or your placement works for your needs, this would make great for low-traffic security camera needs where you do not need continuous recording and save on cloud storage fees.
In the box: 4 cameras, one main camera, three slave cameras, 1080P motion capture recording. A 64GB microSD for storage, one power brick, a 40-foot power extender, a one-to-four power splitter, and three 100-foot standard DVR cables (BNC/Power) for remote slave cameras.
Pros:
Subscription fee-free motion-triggered capture DVR
Remotely connected, with 2-way voice communication on the primary camera
Cons:
Limited recording ability due to the motion-triggered nature of the camera
Installation would depend on your situation; this is a very niche camera, in my opinion, only useful if your situation warrants a camera like this.
Messy cabling solution
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Swann
Posted .
Hello TheStigenator,
Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your positive feedback on our Swann - Fourtify 4 Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security System. Your detailed review gives us a user's perspective on the things we have done to help improve your sense of security and where there is still room for improvement. We hope you continue to enjoy all the great features the system has to offer. If you come up with any questions or require any further assistance please know that we do offer 24 hour technical support. Click on the blue box on the bottom right-hand corner to live chat with a technical support agent or contact us over the phone.
https://support.swann.com/s/
Ask our team for more information on our extended warranties with our Secure Plus Plans. Your feedback is important to us.
https://us.swann.com/swann-security-subscription/
Please let us know how we may further assist you,
Thank you. JV Swann Customer Support
Cons mentioned:
Wired cameras
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
It works but it has a dealbreaker for me
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Note: This surveillance system requires: 1) basic knowledge of internet connectivity and the managing of apps; and more importantly 2) some basic handyman knowledge including diagram reading, drilling, and low voltage wire connection. Should you feel that you cannot do this yourself, it is strongly suggested you get a professional installer or at least someone who can assist you in the installation of this surveillance system
The Swann Fourtify Wireless System is the company’s latest product attempting to gain a slice of the pie in the wireless camera system. But as to manage expectations, the Swann Fourtify system is not totally wireless as that is the territory of the Swan CoreCam series which I also have. Rather the Swann Fourtify system is a four camera system (hence “Fourtify”) and has a wireless or wifi enbled main camera which also acts as a hub or base wherein three other cameras are “wired” to it. Most of Swann’s product lines have a separate base or hub connected to your router and the cameras are either wired all the way to the base or hub or are connected via wifi. I am saying this as some existing owners and reviewers do complain that it it is not wireless. Perhaps it should have been branded as wifi enabled,
Now since this is a “semi-wireless” system, your knowledge in reading diagrams come into play. Simply put the main camera has input jacks for the other three cameras and a power cord. This power cord has a splitter at the end wherein the other three cameras are connected for power. A power adapter is included as the main supply of power.
Now before you go out installing the cameras, make sure that the system works. Connect the cameras as per the diagram, download the app, create a free account (though a paid tier is also available too) and place the main camera to where you will mount it. Once verified, you can then start physically installing the system. And the time needed to install the system depends on the planned layout of your system.
Upon installation of my Swann Fourtify wireless system, I have noted three things. First the main camera tends to be warm which is normally not the case. I have gotten in touch with Swann and was told that a slight temperature increase is expected since the main camera also acts as the hub or base. Second, the base camera can only get a 10% signal strength mounted in my porch. Surprisingly, my CoreCam has a signal strength ranging from 55% to 70%. The Fortify main camera has two antennas and the CoreCam has an internal one. In spite of that, I have noticed connecting to the app is still fairly responsive.
Another thing I have noticed is that the field of view of the Fourtify is narrower than my CoreCam and also other wireless camera. But what really surprised me is that all cameras can only be aimed up and down and cannot be used to pivot. This quite honestly is a dealbreaker for me as even though the cameras work fine and even the wires were long enough, the inability to properly position the cameras the way I want it is a dealbreaker for me. The only way to provide an able of view is to add wedges when mounting the cameras which will entail additional work and costs too. A simple pivoting mount is the solution for this.
As such, it is very hard for me to recommend this product until such time Swann can address the wifi issue (via firmware update) and come up with a swiveling or pivoting design for the cameras.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Swann
Posted .
Hello Msumulong,
Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your feedback on our Swann - Fourtify 4 Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security System. Your detailed review gives us more insight into the things we have done correctly and where there is still much room for improvement. Your review will be shared with members of our product development teams. Here at Swann, we believe that there is always room for improvement. We will continue to launch updates to the firmware and application to help further improve your experience. If you come up with any questions or require any further assistance please know that we do offer 24-hour technical support. Click on the blue box on the bottom right-hand corner to live chat with a technical support agent or contact us over the phone.
https://support.swann.com/hc/en-us
Ask our team for more information on our extended warranties with our Secure Plus Plans. Your feedback is important to us.
https://us.swann.com/swann-security-subscription/
Please let us know how we may further assist you,
Thank you. JV Swann Customer Support
Cons mentioned:
Wired cameras
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Not truly wireless solution but has local recordin
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Summary:
Video quality can be lower than what I'm used to from other brands. Live talk doesn't seem to be available even though there is a speaker and mic on the the cameras. The 3 cameras need to be wired to the main wireless camera so there is some wire routing and drilling that might need to take place. If you're looking for a true wireless security system, this might not be the system for you. If you're looking for a basic system with local SD card recording would work for you.
In the Box:
Main hub camera (wireless, except for power)
3 remote cameras (wired)
3 wiring cables for cameras
Mounting hardware
Setup:
Setup was very easy. Basically followed the app's direction in setup and scanning the QR code on the camera for the main wireless camera. The real difficult part is actually mounting and wiring up the 3 remote cameras. I round that routing the wires in the attic is the easiest route. If you were mounting on the interior you might also want to consider routing through the attic.
Pros:
main camera is wireless
local recording on to SD card
multiple cameras
Cons:
3 remote cameras need to be wired
lower picture quality
Conclusion:
I've tried different setting to get the higher picture quality video but nothing seems to be helping on streaming. Video on the card is not bad. I dislike that you have to route the wires for the 3 remote cameras.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
Disappointed at this system
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Setup:
Setup was extremely easy, download the Swan Security app, scan the code and join the wireless network.
Installation
Very easy to mount and install, but only if you want to use all 4 cameras on one side of the house or to cover certain (one) area. If you want to use them at multiple sides of the property or house it’s disaster to run all the cables from one power source to different sides of the house. I will address this more below.
System:
Disappointed in this system.
Being WiFi video enabled kinds of defeats the purpose of this system. I can understand the power cords but one power source with 4 splitter for all 4 “wifi” cameras, I can’t. Each camera should have at least it’s own power adapter to fully take advantage of WiFi video. Very unpractical need to get power from one source for WiFi video supported devices.
Quality:
I don’t like the quality of the video either, it’s very poor even in very light conditions not to mention dark IR which is even worse. Impossible to read license plates even on short distances and definitely couldn’t recognize anyone who walked by.
Recording:
Only positive thing about this system is that you don’t have to pay for recording storage because you can use micro sd card.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Swann
Posted .
Hello Erik77,
Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your feedback on our Swann - Fourtify 4 Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security System. Your detailed review gives us more insight into the things we have done correctly and where there is still much room for improvement. Your review will be shared with members of our product development teams. Here at Swann, we believe that there is always room for improvement. We will continue to launch updates to the firmware and application to help further improve your experience. If you come up with any questions or require any further assistance please know that we do offer 24-hour technical support. Click on the blue box on the bottom right-hand corner to live chat with a technical support agent or contact us over the phone.
https://support.swann.com/hc/en-us
Your feedback is important to us.
Please let us know how we may further assist you,
Thank you. JV Swann Customer Support
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Clear pictures
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I love it i ckear pictures the only thing is you only gear from one camera the main one. Thats the only that need be fixed or updated everything else seems to be great so far
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Swann
Posted .
Hello Scott,
Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your positive feedback on our Swann System. We hope you continue enjoying all the great features the system offers. For further assistance, please visit our support page or contact us over the phone.
https://support.swann.com/s/
Your feedback is important to us. LV - Swann Team
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Happy with the cameras
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
So far we love the cameras. I really like the fact that they have a solar panel on ea camera so I don't have to climb up a ladder to change the battery. Our installer was top notch. He gets a 20 for a job well done. Can't say much for the scheduling department, they were confused.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Swann
Posted .
Hello Jewelrymamma,
We are glad to hear you find value in your Swann Product and appreciate your feedback. We hope you continue to enjoy the many great features our systems have to offer. Please visit our support website for assistance and let us know how we can improve your experience.
https://support.swann.com/hc/en-us
Your feedback is important to us. LV - Swann Team
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Cameras
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
It does just what I was looking for it to do for me.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Swann
Posted .
Hi Special1. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
-SD, Swann Product Management
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Motion detection, Night vision
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great Security System on a Budget
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Swann Fourtify Security System is a complete, easy to install 4 camera security monitoring system. The unit comes with 4 cameras (1 main and 3 wired cameras), 3 BNC extension cables, Power adapter and extension cable, mounting hardware. This is the easiest setup I have ever had for a full monitoring security system. You mount the main camera and plug in to the wall outlet using the power adapter, connect the 3 cameras using the BNC extension cables to the main camera, and use the Swann app to connect the entire system to your Wi-Fi, that's it.
The Swann app is feature rich. You need to create an account to access the live view and the recordings. The app lets you communicate two ways, sound the siren, and make any adjustments to the camera settings. The main camera houses the 64 GB MicroSD card to store all the recordings. This can be expanded to 256 GB card, although I wish it could accommodate larger cards for longer recordings. All the cameras come with motion and heat detection and are weatherproof to withstand harsh conditions. You also have the option to use Ethernet cable with the main camera in case you have a weak Wi-Fi signal.
The night vision with ambient light is rather good on these cameras, with clear quality videos, even though they are only 1080p resolution. The notifications on the app are almost instant as soon as the camera detects any motion. One thing to note is that you can only use the main camera for the 2-way talk. Overall, this is a great multi-camera security system that is quite easy to set up and use for anyone looking for a complete system in a budget.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Swann
Posted .
Hello Prat,
Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your positive feedback on our Swann - Fourtify 4 Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security System. It is great to hear from your perspective on how we have since improved your sense of security. Swann understands that true security is about preventing crime, that’s why most cameras now feature sensor lighting, alarms, sirens, two-way talk and more. We hope you continue to enjoy all the great features the system has to offer. If you come up with any questions or require any further assistance please know that we do offer 24 hour technical support. Click on the blue box on the bottom right-hand corner to live chat with a technical support agent or contact us over the phone.
https://support.swann.com/hc/en-us
Your feedback is important to us.
Please let us know how we may further assist you,
Thank you. JV Swann Customer Support
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Video quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Amazing System at an Amazing Price
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
So my Swann Fourtify Security System arrived about a week ago, and we have been putting it through its paces. This security system is a little different than previous systems we've used before, in the sense that it doesn't come with or require a DVR or NVR, which means less space to take up inside the house. So we were pretty stoked to give this new type of system a try.
When you unbox the system, initially you are greeted with two boxes inside the main box.
Inside Box 1:
* Fourtify Camera (with Wi-Fi antennas & 64GB microSD Card)
* Power Adapter
* Power Extension Cable
* Power Splitter
* Mounting Hardware
Inside Box 2:
* 3 Expansion Cameras
* 3 BNC/Power Extension Cables
* Mounting Hardware
* Theft Deterrent Stickers
* User Manual & Documentation
Following along in the user manual, once you figure out where you want your cameras to go around your house (inside or out), connect the cameras and download the Swann Security app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play Store for Android. Create and login to your account, add camera to your account for pairing.
NOTE: The Fourtify camera will only connect to your 2.4GHz network. Also, if your network has a VPN connected, you will need to disconnect it first before pairing becomes successful.
Once you are connected, that's pretty much it other than tweaking the settings to your liking. Inside the app, you can tweak the resolution of each camera and other settings such as name/location of each camera, the volume of the 2-way audio on each camera, as well as the detection zones. Speaking of audio, the the sound quality is amazing and crystal clear, no static or muffleness.
So far we have enjoyed the new camera system and would recommend it to anyone looking for a new system Wi-Fi Security System.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Motion detection, Weatherproof
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Simple set up and quality cameras
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Swann security system is very simple to set up with easy instructions to follow for installation. It's basically plug everything in, download the app and it's ready. The software was a little cumbersome during the pairing process, but everything went smoothly and connected properly. The Reset and pairing button is under a cover that has two loose screws. I wish this cover was screw-less OR had a tab to open it, but you shouldn't have to access it very often so it's not too much of an inconvenience. The best part of having this "wired" system is that you don't have to worry about keeping the batteries charged. Yet, you can run it on your Wi-Fi network and see it on your phone. The playback clips and live camera resolution quality are extremely good and include night vision. I found how to delete all old clips, but could not figure out how to delete just one clip. That's the only negative thing I can say about this security system and app. The cameras have motion detection, but also heat detection so it won't pick up on branches or other false alarms. They are also weatherproof to work in snow and rain and seem to be very durably constructed. With the app, you can also talk and listen through the camera's and sound a siren to startle intruders. Overall, one of the best security camera systems we've used.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Swann
Posted .
Hello PracticalSandy,
Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your feedback on our Swann - Fourtify 4 Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security System. Your feedback is important to us and is greatly appreciated. It is our goal at Swann to make great security solutions that are affordable and easy to use. Long term our support team will continue to launch updates to the firmware and application to help further improve your experience. Ask our team for more information on our extended warranties with our Secure Plus Plans. Your feedback is important to us.
https://us.swann.com/swann-security-subscription/
Please let us know how we may further assist you,
Thank you. JV Swann Customer Support
Pros mentioned:
Video quality, Weatherproof
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Very Well Made
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This Swann 4 camera indoor/outdoor Wi-Fi security system is a first for me. I am a retired State Trooper and have installed several security systems for myself/family/friends and neighbors. When I say its the first, what I mean is this system basically has no “hub” to run the system, and I was a little skeptical at first in how this would work, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised.
First off, this particular unit has 4 cameras that can be used indoors/outdoors. You install what I call the main camera and plug it into a normal 110 outlet. The other cameras then “feed back” to that main camera. You can then use the included 64 bit storage card to record any images or purchase a plan from Swann, which I really like that they do give you an option for those that don’t want to purchase a plan. The Swann App is easy to use and allows you to monitor the system, and it very quickly sends an alert to your phone. I really like that you don’t have to plug it into a “hub” and in my mind its a great system.
The video quality is amazing on this system whether its daylight or in darkness. I live in a fairly rural area and this system has picked up my neighbors cats, deer and an unknown coyote. I love the fact that it has a two way audio so you can talk to the person that activated the camera and it also has a siren which can act as a deterrent, I do know this, coyotes do not like the siren. Again, the picture quality on this is very comparable to my high end system.
Installation of the cameras is simple as Swann has included all the hardware that you need to mount this to your wall, I used a cordless drill to pre drill the holes and then attached to the wall of my building w/ a Philips bit.
The only drawback or negative that I have on this system is that I wish Swann would have made the extension cables a little longer. The main camera that plugs into a normal wall outlet is roughly 40 feet so you need to plan where you are going to plug that in and then work to the other three camera’s, and they only have 60 feet of cable. For some homes that may not work if you want to install a true 4 corner system. I installed this on my woodworking shop as I had no security on it. It is roughly 60X20 and it worked great for that size of building, but for a longer home I’m not sure w/ the cable length that it would be feasible to install. Even w/ my smaller building I had to do some planning to make sure that I would have enough cable to run back to the main camera (I did it by hiding the wires in the attic and coming down to the camera. I had no issues w/ this in my building, but in a larger home/building I don’t think the length of cable would allow you to do that, it would almost have to be a “straight run” from the 3 cameras to the main camera.
I also like the idea that the cameras are weather proof as I placed two under the eve of the house while two are on the Southern and Northern end and will be exposed to the weather at all times, but that has not been an issue w/ either of those cameras.
All in all this is a very well made and quality security camera system and I would recommend it for a smaller home.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Weatherproof
Cons mentioned:
Wired cameras
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
See it all, Detect it all, Speak it all security!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Swann - Fourtify 4 Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security system offers the ability to see it all day or night in HD, smartly detect movement and heat from threats to your property, and 2-way speak to those you need to communicate with all in the convenience of WiFi connectivity. Offering strong signal, easy installation, and weatherproof construction, the Swann Fourtify cameras are ready to take on your security needs without the need of a professional installer or costly monitoring system subscription.
I found the Swann - Fourtify exactly what I needed outside my offices as we have wired/monitored cameras but found we had several blind spots leaving our personal vehicle open to vandalism. Recently, we had 2 over our vehicle have windows shot out by individuals but never saw them or had evidence for our insurance company. This Swann - Fourtify offered the needed coverage without the need to have more wired cameras and costly equipment and installation fees added. The only complaint I have with this system is that you are still bound to wires to connect the cameras to the base where the WiFi signal is received and transmitted. I wish this was offered in an completely wireless version as it would help cover other areas without the need to run wires which could be cut.
PROS
- Swann's product line, quality, and versatility
- Perfect for locations which have WiFi access but not the ability to hardwire a camera system
- HD video quality for day and night
- Weatherproof for all weather conditions
- True detect to reduce false alarms
- Backup storage via MicroSD cards (over 2 weeks on a 64gb card)
CONS
- Not completely wireless/wire-free
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Motion detection, Video quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Highly sensitive system that captures everything
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Swann - Fourtify 4-Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wireless Security System is a highly sensitive surveillance system that can supply complete visual security around a persons’ home. First, I was instructed to install the Swann Security app from the Google Play store. After completing email registration, the Swann Security app automatically went to the Pair Device page. I was instructed to scan the QR code on the back of the Swann - Fourtify 4-Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wireless Security System and then connect my Wi-Fi to complete the pairing process. Everything works through the Swann Security app. Motion detection works by a ping notification sounding on my phone and a notification statement of “Human Alert Person Detected on Channel” 1on whatever location I have selected to view. I can regulate the motion detection sensitivity in the various modes of home, night and away. The Swann - Fourtify 4-Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wireless Security System takes pictures and videos in color and black and white. Live video is extremely sharp and clear. Video in color gives exact clarity of colors and black and white video comes out similarly with the same clarity. I can talk with the push to talk button, turn on the siren, take snap shots and videos with the symbols under the viewing screen. The quality is high depth and all details can be seen with great clarity. The Swann - Fourtify 4-Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wireless Security System is a versatile camera system that can see it all.
I would recommend this to a friend
Cons mentioned:
Wired cameras
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Good image quality, complete system for less
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I have set up several wired security camera systems over the last few years. This is my third Swann system. The previous ones were either Power over Ethernet with an NVR or the old school, less expensive BNC wired system with a DVR. In terms of Wi-Fi, I’ve setup plenty of indoor cameras from several vendors, mostly with cloud storage.
The setup process is not that difficult, but lacking the detailed printed documentation I’ve gotten accustomed to from other Swan systems I’ve done before. Start with the main camera that’s the “hub” of this whole Swann - Fourtify 4 Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security System. The single power supply feeds this camera and the three other “satellite” cameras get it from this main camera. Same goes for the AV signal from the remote cameras, it is sent over the BNC cables to the main camera. The only Wi-Fi portion of this system is the main camera. Setting that connection up requires the Swan Security App which is very polished, user friendly and feature rich. Make sure you position the main camera close enough to your router to guarantee strong enough signal. Once you’re up and running with the main camera, you can connect the additional cameras and it will only take a few minutes to be detected and show up in the App.
In terms of image quality 1080p is pretty standard nowadays for budget systems, and perhaps due to being connected via Wi-FI only, it still is a bit choppy for cars driving down the street. The main camera has many features. The built-in spot light is plenty bright and there is also a siren that can be activated by motion detection, but if you don’t want your neighbors to file a complaint, keep it off. There is also a microphone and speaker built-in to the camera, so you can record sound and also use the push-to-talk feature from the app to speak into the main camera. Additionally there are motion detection sensors as well as powerful infrared night vision.
Back to the Swann Security app for Android or iOS it will require you to register and set up an account with Swann. You can pay for the Security+ plan to get cloud storage for your recordings but it is optional. But since there is no DVR or NVR system, the main camera has an SDcard slot and comes with local storage, a 64GB memory card where your clips can be recorded to and played back from the App. It will recognize up to a 256 GB SDcard if you need to keep older clips around longer. Pinch to zoom also works pretty well. Alexa and Google assistant integration is included. I tried it with my Fire TV cube and it displayed on my TV just fine, though there is at least a 30-second delay over Wi-Fi.
This is a fine system and quite affordable for what it comes with from a reputable company that makes quality products, though I am taking a star off because despite providing a Wi-Fi connection to the main camera, the additional cameras are still wired cameras, so to me this is more of a wired system overall.