We just recently completed a major remodel of our house. After completion I decided to add a video surveillance system as we live in a remote area. In researching solutions I found the Revo brand. While most of the product reviews were very positive I decided to look more closely into the negative ones. After my review I concluded that then negative reviews were not based on Revo functionality or products but rather on not understanding their requirements before purchasing. Based with this knowledge I bought the 16 channel Revo system. This system came with four dome and four bullet cameras which matched my requirements. I used the four dome cameras inside and they meet or exceed my requirements. The four bullet cameras are mounted outside, under an overhang. Seems there is a standard for IP cameras called the International Protecting Rating which covers both foreign object protection and also exposure to water. The cameras which came with my Revo system all have an IP rating of 66 which means dust tight and protection from powerful water jets. To me this mends these cameras meet all my requirements. They are not ‘waterproof'. Waterproof cameras are available and seem to start at about $100 each for a very simple camera and are priced to go way above that. I do not need water proof cameras.
Once I started to unpack the box, which had some shipping damage, I realized just how professional these guys are. The packaging is amazing, everything fits. The boxes for cameras are all the same size and shape for easy shipment and there is a filler strip to ensure everything is protected. Everything came out of the box and was almost ready to use. The cameras needed to be mounted and it took me a while to figure out where and how to run the wires. Because the cameras get their power from the cable there is no need for extra power outlets near where the cameras are being installed. I used a neighbor kid to complete the runs in the attic so I wouldn't have to crawl around (here is where I really realized I should have installed this while we were remodeling, but it still worked out). On the dome camera there is a small diagram that shows where to drill the holes since they cannot be in the center, but a full size template would be better.
Once I had all the camera wires in place I assembled the monitor, which means slipping the bottom on to the monitor and attaching the two screws (they gave me three), which is the only real assembly I encountered. When hooking everything up to the DVR, I thought they had given me an extra power supply, but a quick look at the manual showed the DVR has two power supplies, one for the DVR and one for the cameras, actually a pretty good idea when you think about it. Once I turned it on, it did a very simple self start and my only problem was when they had a screen that asked for a password, which was not needed, and I tried to enter one. In frustration I eventually just hit enter and it completed the setup process.
I was sort of amazed that once setup was completed I had video from the eight cameras I installed and that everything worked the first time!! User interface is very easy and intuitive. I could look at several combinations of screens. During setup I selected the ‘record on motion' option, which was recommended. Once everything was working I went back and created a password for my system which was also recommended.. The system is also expandable so I can add an additional eight cameras as needed.
One of the very cool parts of this solution which was very positively reported in the other user reviews I evaluated was the remote access. Like some of the other buyers, I needed a quick call to the Revo support center to get by my home router but now that it is set up I can review my DVR from my laptop as I travel which is really cool!!
I am very happy with my Revo system as it meets my needs. It alIf you are considering buying such a system, understand what you really need and I think that Revo may have a system for you. I highly recommend this complete DVR solution. I am now looking at adding other security items to our home and this Revo solution has the capability to have the additional components added to the Revo DVR so if there is an alarm, it will use the full functions of this system and send me or anyone else an email notification of the alert. Very well thought out!!
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