Finding the BEST 4K Security Camera NVR Package (Reolink vs Amcrest vs Swann)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 มิ.ย. 2024
- I tested 3 of the most popular 4K security camera packages on Amazon to see if you get more by paying more. Reolink did it again making the highest quality product for the lowest price... with a few caveats.
Reolink 4k NVR Bundle: amzn.to/2MEYiDO
Reolink Direct: reolink.com/product/rlk8-800b...
Amcrest 4k NVR Bundle: amzn.to/32QC3QM
Swann 4k NVR Bundle (don't buy this): amzn.to/31FNWaS
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I love that you let us know your pick at the beginning and then explain why. Most people make you skip through the video to find the pick. I actually watched your entire video for the pro/cons. Thank you.
Yes! 100 percent agree: same with those videos where a pair of hands is making something: I’ll watch the process if I know where the result is going
ME TOO.
Yes. That is greatly appreciated
Installed it myself without any issues. The wifi signal is great even th-cam.com/users/postUgkxE_D_sddGAdiVUKp7PkkmyxO7bRtgqmk5 when the router is located far away. I really enjoy the night vision feature that allows me to see clearly any activity near our house (mostly cars and wild animals). The motion detection is helpful to me as well to monitor what happens on our front.
The orange score cards are SUPER helpful and genuinely aid in finding specific points to refer to again. Thanks for taking the time to create such a well-organized and helpful video overall!
Awesome reviews you have. I appreciate that you put the conclusion up front, as all professionals should. Well done.
Hey! Great video's as usual, you remind me of some of my teachers that inspired me to become an engineer. Your students are lucky. Good luck and all the best
Oo[oooooo[)l
SERIOUSLY THE BEST VIDEO!!!! Keep up the good stuff man!!! Thanks a lot! Semper Fi !
Interesting analytics, good methodology, convincing conclusion. +10!
All I heard was good meth-(odology.) Let's bring it down buddy, ok? Positive reinforcement is too effective, this Nation only promotes self induced destruction.
Wow legit review not a salesman review thanks for that! Subscribed!
This is an incredibly valuable video. Had to look up differences between NVR and DVR and PC based systems. I’m convince a dedicated NVR system is better than trying to use PC for many reasons. I’m sure you have a video on all that. Thank you for the review. You mentioned everything I wanted to know about. Can’t tell you how impressed I am with your videos.
I am so happy and sad I just found your channel. I wish I knew about it years ago! Excellent video!!! Can’t wait to watch all your previous uploads.
Excellent job on the reviews! I was trying to figure out what I need to replace my failed QSee system and I did not know how well the Amcrest, Reolink, and Swann systems worked.
I just found your channel. I really start liking your videos. Greetz from Germany and thx for your calm and probably honest reviews :)
Best video on security cameras I’ve found. I wish you’d review the new Lorex 4K nocturnal 30fps
Great review! but the second most important thing after the quality of camera, is how to review the recorded material, how fast can u fast forward? accurate motion alarm in timeline? etc..
Great detail video and perfect timing, I'm in the market for an NVR system.
I've installed over 200 camera systems, you have a great channel here. I wish you the best!
Do you agree with his recommendations?
@@greenernick He agrees with the systems that give him the biggest profit margin :)
@@Bobsnarls Ive been installing CCTV/Surveillance Systems for over 13 years and Ive tried them all. My recommendation is Reolink hands down, I don't make money off selling cameras I only charge to install so im being honest. I originally transitioned to a company called Annke(aslo known as Sannce) around the time IP cameras became mainstream and affordable replacing Analog/TVL systems but after a few years of trial and error settled on Reolink as my go-to. They outperform all the other brands, specifically remote view and monitoring/NVR capabilities were far ahead of other brands for several years. Something he doesn't touch on in this video is just how good Reolink NVRs are and their App which is something the customers focus on more than anything. Alot of the other brands that cost twice as much have difficulties with performance on the mobile apps, and the NVRs are unreliable and/or unintuitive.
@@TheRickJames What do you think of the other major brands not mentioned in this video ? I have an older Amcrest system i am wanting to replace because i can no longer get the app to work on my phone. It has been a pretty solid setup other than that and is still working after 4 or 5 years of service.
@@muddyriverdogz I recommend Reolink, it doesn't really get much cheaper than that for a full featured system. Stay away from the store bought stuff like NightOwl and Samsung. Wyze Cam is a cheaper alternative and they support home automation, you could also get full featured camera models from Reolink that have an SD card and have a system that doesn't even need an NVR like the RLC-410 or RLC-510w. Alternatively Annke still makes pretty good stuff and its a little cheaper.
But to answer your question in another way a lot of big camera names like Avigilon, GE, Brinks etc. are marked WAYY up and your not getting any value. Its appealing to resellers and uninformed people because they see a familiar name and or just want someone else to manage and deal with their cameras. I frequently have issues with these big name cameras that cost anywhere from 1500 to 3000 for a single dome or bullet camera that's no better than a $100 Reolink. Its the paid to say "I recommend this" thing people are mentioning because they get kickback over the MAP and MSRP prices from the manufacturer that they retail.
Hi there, it's the first time for me watching this video, and it's a great review! Way to go!
Great video and perfect timing. I was looking for just this type of system to replace the current PoE setup.
I hope you are right as I have just ordered a system off the back of this video.
Always the best video. Great job!
Very good video. I really liked the text recognition tests. It will be great if you make such review for budget bundles (720p or 1080p).
You can get a cheap Amcrest NVR and the lower end 1080p $45 reolink cameras. So it will be about half the price.
Really useful review and the RTSP streaming compatibility is a real plus for me which many don't mention
Awesome video Rob! Always some of the best and precise reviews on TH-cam. Very well compared and thought out. Keep it up!
As a rough question though on the three systems how much in terms of days/hours of recording would you be able to store in continual playback mode? I'm mostly interested in the reolink and wonder how much recording you'll get out of the standard 2tb drive?
Also I guess it auto loops recording over the oldest footage?
Everyone's reviews seem to be lacking the same information concerning how many hours or days that 4 cameras can record continuously an a 2tb drive. Looks like this video producer is only interested in making videos for profit, rather than answering people's questions.
Great video I’ve installed a lot of the reolink 410 over
The last few years
This was incredibly helpful. Thank you for this.
Great content! I appreciate your thorough review
Great walkthrough
Thanks for sharing 👍😀
Awesome! Thanks for the review. I know it is a number of years old now, but that same Amcrest system is now $559 including a 2TB HDD. (And is $463 today, Prime Day).
your information is fantastic ........ as usual ..... best organization and presentation
Hey Rob, love your videos! - would you consider doing a video on how you use blue iris with home assistant? Would love to see how you run things that way. Is the home assistant app how you interface with your cameras while away from home? Thanks!
Great video! One thing you didn't test that I've seen problems with: Some of these DVRs have serious problems when all 8 channels are used, which of course depends on how many MP each camera is. Would love to see this test in the future.
I’m having a similar problem
Wow fantastic review... really helpful. Thanks 👍
Really wish you could combine Reolink cameras with an Amcrest NVR. I already have a Reolink PoE system installed, but I like the features of the Amcrest NVR more.
You are a Legend.Great video thanks
Great informative channel thanks for your reviews and I subscribed gladly
After much research, which is difficult with all the misinformation out there, I had already picked the Reolink 4k system for my new house. This video makes me much more satisfied that I made the right choice. Thanks so much.
It's a great buy. I bought the 5MP dome set, but currently have a mixture of the 5MP and the 4K cameras.
@@edtdk i too am looking at starting with the Reolink 5MP dome kit, and adding some 4K cams later.The only concern i have is the mounting design in the dome cameras.Can you tell me if you had any issues with adjustment due to the design.Thanks
After our Uniden (similar to Swann) recorder failed, I was looking for a better quality recorder and going NVR. This video convinced me to get the Reolink 8x 5MP cameras with 16ch NVR kit and I couldn't be happier. It is worlds apart from the old system. I can't get over the playback quality, it's great. The only thing I can't find is any way to rewind on playback and moving the playhead on the timeline is very coarse, so there's a lot of tooing and froing to get the bit you want to play back. Thanks for the video.
Great video, I’m curious what you would recommend for remote monitoring? For example a cabin that you visit every couple of weeks?
thanks very very much for a great video man!
I bought a Amcrest stand alone DVR for the compatibility. Learned a lot of stuff along the way also had a hdd unused available.
great video dude 👍
Your awesome for putting this together
Amazing review! thanks
12:33 Unfortunately SUB rtsp stream from NVR can broadcast only 640x352 (Main doesn't work). So you have 4k camera with rtsp stream quality like in 15 years old mobile phone.
Great video! I have five houses where I would like to put 2-3 cameras on each and remotely view them. I would also like to save motion captures videos in my office. What would you recommend? I would prefer POE for easier instalment. I have a unify gateway and switch and AC on each location.
just what I was looking for, thank you!.
Finally found a good review vid. Thanks
Great review - thanks! Would love to see an updated version as I'm sure things may have changed in the last 4 years - thanks!
Good information. I buy a new IP security camera system of 16 channels and 16 cameras. Reolink vs ONWOTE, Reolink is better?
Very interesting. Thx for posting this.
can you make a video on how to integrate the reolink cameras with home assistant?
Integration video would be huge. I would like to understand how to enable motion detection on the NVR (If possible) based on when not home and at night.
@@jameslouis1627 thanks for the reply. I have automations set up for home and away and would like to hook into those if possible. The scheduling function will work for night time but if away I want to leave motion detection on all day. I enable / disable this now manually, but want to hook it all into presence detection (once I get this working).
DigiblurDIY has videos on integrating cameras and home assistant
I like the lorex easy integration with Alexa so I can view the cameras on the echo show or on the google assistant devices. I haven't been able to find any good reviews of the lorex system. These reviews are very thorough and well done so I'm hoping you have another video that includes lorex since I haven't found it yet. Thanks!
Currently the Reolink bundle is on sale for $370.99 (both at Amazon and though Reolink - the same links as above) Might be a Black Friday deal but hard to argue with that price. Thanks for this video. Says the sale ends 12/8/2019
Great unbiased reviews
Great video thanks! I was shopping these 3, so you hit the nail on the head for me. I am going with Amcrest because supposedly their cameras will work with Alexa, and I think checking cams from my firesticks would make it worth it. Currently confirming with manufacture if they will connect through NVR. I wish you had something about smart assistant interoperability in your review, other than that everything was there.
Reolink cameras do as well. In order to get NVR cameras to work with Alexa (including amcrest) you have to connect the cameras directly to your home network, then stream the footage over your network to the NVR. If they are connected directly to the NVR, the individual cameras won't be detected by Alexa.
I have the Amcrest NVR and it works well with Reolink, Foscam, and Cisco.
Also all cameras work very well with Ivideon server.
Could I see the reolink in chrome but on my Mac?
Totally agree Rob love the Reolink it’s super stable never had a problem and customer support has been good. Also had great success with the rtsp feature, they are also beta testing/trying out a new app with great new features. I would love it too if they had an option for a black camera but that is not a deal breaker.
Thanks for the video - watching from the UK helped me make the decision to get Reolink bundle.
Fyi, the nvr will also connect to and record from Reolink WiFi cameras (I have it working on Lumus). Pretty cool.
A question for you, if that's OK - which HWFS cameras did you validate as working with the Reolink nvr? I want to add a vandal-proof dome and reolink don't sell them any more, but HWFS do!
Thanks
Did u find out if 4k video can be downloaded to your android phone? Was it a software issue? Thanks.
Thanks. Very helpful 👌🏻
Just bought 2 Reolink systems. One 4K with 8 x 4K cameras and a 4k System with 2 x 4K and 4 x 5Mp. I was about to click purchase on a swann system when I googled a comparison and found this video. Glad I did as the swann looks like absolute rubbish.
Really great review
Helpful! Thanks.
Certainly one of the best NVR videos I've seen.
I have a Sannce 2MP 16ch wired system with cameras in the garden and shotgun cables.
It's a nightmare at the back of the TV.
Would the Reolink NVR connect to the TV? ( I'm guessing it would ) - I have my system on the TV, PC and Mobile devices.
I'm looking to upgrade to ideally 8MP 4k - what do you recommend.
Cheers from the UK
Best review video, hands down! I’ve spent all day watching security cam reviews and nothing compares to yours. U are a true professional.
Thanks. Great information.
Great information! Im new to security cameras. Im shopping for outdoor wired cameras. I suppose there is a 4k camera that reads farther than 25 ft? Im looking for something that would read license plates in the 50 to 75 ft range. Does Reolink have a camera that does that. Either add on a single camera to the system u just reviewed.
For my home PC to view the recordings, what are the minimum specs i need to run this NVR system?
That’s great feedback!!
Thanks for the well documented video. Are those the best cameras that each of those brands make/sell? Guess I missed it but which camera had the best night time definition? Which has the best audio (to and from the camera speakers/mikes). Thanks in advance for your reply.
Reolink picture was by far the best all around (day and night). Models are still current.
One thing that makes Blue Iris so good is the drag fast forward to playback. It is so damn hard to find anything in Dahua NVR. But Dahua's images are crystal sharp.
Thanks for swaying my decision 👍🏼
Loved the video and references, but from my understanding Blue Iris is only windows based, which at this point in time leaves me out as a Linux user. I attempted to run a Windows VM in unraid with Blue Iris but it failed.
Any other suggestions on my 8 cameras (mixture of Amcrest, Hilkvision, Reolink) I run through my unifi system.
Thank you for reaffirming that, as I wasn't sure about that and wish he had covered it at least in passing. As Non-PC user (Mac/Linux) I get frustrated when people/companies seem to think the world revolves around Windows. He also mention several time Blue Iris which when I looked it up Lorex came up at the top of the list of NVR's. B.I. says they work with Apple/Android phones/tablets but no mention of a Mac desktop app. I am wondering would it be functional to like get the reolink and then reinstall an open source package on it? But I don't want to end this on a negative note and want to commend you on your hard work in researching this and how you present it. Can we have a Part 2?
Would you have any recommendation on home use LPR cameras without breaking the bank???
Thank you for your very informative videos. I just purchased four RLC-811a, two RLC-820a, and an 8 channel NVR from Reolink. It is all hooked up now and functioning and I am fairly happy, minus the lack of good customer service hours.
I now need a Wi-Fi video doorbell and Reolink does not have one. According to your video, Amcrest cameras work with the Reolink NVR provided that you run them through a separate POE switch.
Any idea if a WiFi video doorbell would also be compatible with a Reolink NVR? If so, how does that work being that it is not POE?
Thanks Rob!
Are the NVR's of POE cameras able to stay on a shelf in the garage where the temps can go ~ -20degC to ~ +40degC (Canadian weather)
Hard drives in -20C, I wouldn't do that. They do have fanless POE switches on Amazon if you dont want to run all the camera wires inside. Then get a NVR without the switch, and run the one wire to the POE switch in the garage.
Hey can you help?;How many days storage does the 4 x reolink 4k camera setup with 2tb NVR get me ?
Atif Zia about 2 months
With 4K recording, and 4 cameras, probably 5-7days max, also depends if you want to have permanent recording or recording at certain points/movements.
Reolink is crap IMO - my NVR just broke, I’ve got extended warranty with them and they are asking me to pay for a replacement. Even though the issues are clearly because of their terrible build quality.
Reolink works with Blueiris. I purchased a Reolink to test and ran it on Blueiris with no problems. There are specific settings in blueiris that are available with a quick google search to get it to work properly.
Sorry if I was unclear. Reolink cameras absolutely work with Blue Iris (4 of my 12 cameras are Reolink RLC410s), but the Reolink 4K Camera (B4800) specifically does not.
I wonder if weather tightness and vandal resistance were included, would Amcrest notch up a bit?
Interesting to know on a higher channel DVR in VR system which manufacturer you think is the best for commercial applications I’m looking at between a 16 channel in a 32 channel
Thanks Rob.
The Swann interface shown here is identical to the Night Owl company. Any chance they are connected or purchasing a white labelled interface?
We put a ZMODO system in my parents home and it’s actually been really good. They are only 1080p but look great however the lack of a decent PC app is a little disappointing. That said they couldn’t care less, the mobile app works great for them.
The only issue is the video doorbell seems to have a delay on the doorbell notification.
That said I’m not sure if there are any RTSP options. Which would suck if you used HA.
Excellent. Thank you.
Thanks, Great video!, what do you think about (reolink vs lorex vs tp-link)?
Thanks for these reviews...In these difficult times these recommendations are a life saver... people are loosing their minds under this Covid nightmare. may 2021 bring better days. why isnt TH-cam bumping up these channels?
What do you think would be the best option now that the ReoLink package is no longer available on amazon.
Have you tested the Defender 4K1T4B4? I've heard some great things and am very interested
Do you have comments on the 4k iP network Flir/ Lorex in comparison to your review. I am looking at the 4 camera 8 port 2tb NVR.
If your interested - go to www.swann.com . Swann exactly have that set-up your looking for : a 4 camera 8 port 2tb NVR which is 4K Ultra HD system - check it out.Hope you find what you want.
Thanks for this video. Is there any updated version reflecting today's 4k security cameras? It will be greatly appreciated, thanks.
What do you think of the Smart Home Lorex Security 4K NVR System? Have you compared it to any of these systems? Costco has these for a highly discounted price and am looking at these to purchase in the future.
I know the prospect of running wires can be daunting, but after 3-4 years of messing around with wireless options from all the major vendors, I can't express how much happier I am with my PoE Reolink system.
I actually planned on running the CAT5 myself so I purchased a 1000' spool for around $60, but I ended up paying a local electrician to do it for me. $480 was easily worth it to me to have a professional do it, but it's absolutely doable yourself. Granted he has years of experience, but if you know what you're doing, it can be done within a couple hours (and keep in mind this is a large-ish 6500 Sq Ft home.
Is Reolink a chinese brand?
Do you have to record on 4K always or can the reolink record 1080 too?
Have you heard anything about reolink releasing an Apple TV app so they can be seen on your tv via Apple TV
How would I add a camera to the Reolink system to a remote building approximately 100 feet away from my home?
Have a few of the wireless Reolink cameras now and one with solar. I am happy with their capabilities. I'm moving to a new house later this summer and the had the builder install 4 cat5 cables one on each corner of the house under the eaves, there is no power. I 'm looking at purchasing the new 4k POE 4 camera system. The 2 cameras in the rear of house should be fine but for the 2 front cameras I would like to have something little stronger that can read license plates on cars as they drive by. I want to be the neighborhood video watch person. Is there another camera I can purchase separately for out front of my house?
That's a great review of each brand. I wonder though why more people don't go with a NAS solution over an NVR. The user interface is so much better and cost is about the same. I went with a NAS, 4TB, and Four 4MP cameras (4K wasn't available 3 years ago) and got it all for about $680 which included purchasing extra NAS licenses to get it up to 4 total cameras. The list of Onvif compatible cameras that work with the NAS is endless.
I just got the reolink that has the car/person detection and 4k poe. I think they've updated the firmware to support more onvif cameras but it does sort of work with my Amcrest wifi camera. It will not play it as part of the rest of the cameras on the box but does play it if it's set full screen by itself and has recorded some motion captures from it though some of the captures only play partially and some play fine.
I don't know if that is different then how it worked when you tested them a year ago.
Why have you not reviewed Lorex or Uniview? Also how hard would it be to run a switch and 2 NVR’s so you have a backup?
I'm looking forward to your wireless camera review, none of the current reviews really go into detail about RTSP capabilities (I'd love to see if a home NAS PC can have synology software installed to allow the EufyCam free home hosting of files) I'm still thinking about running ethernet all over the house but would really like to find a suitable 1080p wireless option that doesn't have monthly fees and allows for encrypted hosting on my own NAS. keep up the great work!
Have you ever had any experience with Night Owl NVR camera systems?