Qcam 1.0 Megapixel POE NVR Security Camera System

PROS:Easy to get up and running, as a stand-alone system (i.e., not connected to internet).With the supplied cameras, you can select between several resolution settings. Compared to the default 2058 x 1636 pixel setting, switching to the 2304 x 1296 setting gives you around 12 percent wider field of view, at the expense of some vertical coverage. That extra 12 percent can be very useful for covering large outdoor areas.If desired, the motion trigger sensitivity of each of the supplied cameras can be set to different values, at different times of the day (up to 4 different portions of the day).Unlike analog DVRs, there is no difference between preview and recorded image quality.The cases on the supplied cameras are metal, and appear to be quite sturdy. During operation, they can get quite warm.Compared to analog systems, the higher image resolution also provides much finer resolution in setting motion trigger areas (i.e., over 3,000 areas per 3MP camera). That greater resolution can mean less false alarms or recorded events, and more usable video stored between hard disk overwrites.Has POE (Power Over Ethernet cables) - No need to have separate power supplies for the cameras.The NVR is capable of handling a mixture of camera resolutions (i.e., the cameras do not have to all have the same resolution) . This is good, because typically, some monitored areas require more resolution than others.The NVR accommodates sound for all 8 channels - and each of the supplied cameras has it!Unlike many systems, the wheel on the supplied USB mouse is actually functional - It zooms the preview image in and out.CONS:Even though the system is mostly plug-and-play with the supplied cameras, using it with third-party cameras - even if they claim to be "ONVIF compliant" - is a much dicier proposition. Expect to spend some time trouble-shooting and reconfiguring.The camera microphones are prone to popping and rumbling from wind noise. Installing foam windscreens might help. Also, previewed through the NVR, the sound quality is grainy. Some of the supplied cameras produce a whistling noise (like a boiling teakettle) that masks soft sounds. Even with the audio from all cameras disabled, the NVR still has quite a bit of hiss at its Audio Out jack.There are no analog audio inputs on the NVR, so you can't add your own better-quality microphones.There is no ability to bind the video from one camera with the audio from another one.Having ethernet connectors pre-attached to the IP Cam cables makes cable routing more difficult - The presence of the connectors means that you need to drill larger holes to pass the cables through walls, studs, etc.The Date, time of day and day of the week are displayed on every channel being previewed - And the text is a needlessly huge font that obscures part of the image. The font is white, with no border - And thus often gets washed out against a light-colored image.Apparently, there is no provision for automatically cycling through cameras being previewed - a feature than even the cheapest analog systems have.The resolution for the main preview image is degraded whenever a second smaller image is also being displayed in PIP mode.The supplied cameras are flawed somewhat by the fact that they "forget" their WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) setting every time the camera changes from daytime to nighttime mode. So, basically, you either have to manually readjust the WDR adjustment every night, or live with very high-contrast night time video that shows almost no detail in dark portions of the image.My system randomly locks up at least once every day - and then automatically reboots itself several minutes later. It has also locked up during playback of recorded video, and when switching from single- to multiple-camera live preview.BOTTOM LINE: Good, but several flaws short of great.Hey, Amazon:Most of the 1,347 reviews shown ARE NOT FOR THIS MODEL.What's the point of doing that?Why should customers bother to write a review, if it'll just get buried among thousands of reviews for other products?What's the point in even having reviews, if they aren't specific to the product being advertised?

Here is what you need to know about Amcrest and their POE outdoor security system. My specific system was the (Amcrest Qcam 3­Megapixel (2048 x 1536) 8Ch Network POE Video Security System (NVR Kit)­ Four 3MP POE Weatherproof Bullet IP Cameras, 65ft Night Vision). Unless you live in the desert be prepared for pins 4 and 5 (they supply the power and rust the quickest) to disintegrate in approximately 2 years. Two of mine didn’t make to 1.5 years. Since the whole 4-camera kit cost approx. $700 and each POE camera lists for $129 you can see it is a pricy mistake as the cameras are not repairable. The cameras have a one-year warranty so be prepared for them to inform you that there is nothing they can do…via email. I opened up a support ticket and sent photos clearly showing the rust issue. I also asked the support technician to have someone call me but that request was ignored. In addition, when calling for support, expect to use an automated system and then wait at least 15 minutes before someone picks up...every time. Best you have a speakerphone and keep yourself occupied so you do not waste too much of your own time. I called them a number of time to give them a reasonable chance to discuss and address my issue but this was to no avail. Anyway, in conclusion, I DO NOT recommend this outdoor system.Below is my original support ticket request...I purchased the Amcrest Qcam 3¬Megapixel system (see attached receipt and photos) and now I see that pins 4 and 5 are faulty due to rust on 2 of my camera. I did not check the other 2 cameras yet but they are still functioning…for now. The cameras were placed under an overhang on the house which limited the exposure to rain. Are the cameras repairable and what should I have done to prevent this from happening? If they are not repairable than I estimate that these cameras may only last 2 years under normal conditions in my area of the country (I don’t live in the desert). Please advise and thank you.