Amcrest ProHD 1080P 8CH Video Security DVR Digital Recorder, 8-Channel 1080P, Supports 960H/HDCVI/HDTVI/AHD/IP, HDD & Cameras NOT Included, Remote Smartphone Access (AMDV10818)

Just upgraded to this model. Nice dvr with with really great features for the price.Charlie, at the customer service, did a wonderful job helping me set up the remote access. Overall, very happy with service and brand choice.

I bought a 5 MP system 4 years ago. I liked the cameras but was never happy with the DVR so I was almost glad when the old DVR died. The first DVR I bought didn't recognize my cameras, but this Amcrest unit did immediately. Setting up the mobile app was easy and it loads really fast (showing video in about 5 seconds). I haven't dug into the advanced features of this DVR yet but so far, I'm really happy with it.

Bought this as a replacement for a Qsee DVR since they closed their doors and shut down their remote monitoring app. I found the Amcrest DVR to actually be much more user friendly to get set up and connected to the internet. I removed the hard drive from my Qsee DVR, and was pleasantly surprised to find I didn't have to format it, and I could still see all of the recorded video from before I made the switch. The DVR also works fine with the Qsee cameras I have always been using, so no need to replace your whole system if your a victim of Qsee's shutdown like I was.

This DVR is garbage. I purchased this DVR along with a 4 TB purple western digital hard drive. I installed the hard drive. After powering it on, it displayed the logo amcrest for about 1 minute and the screen went black and it would beep every few minutes. I thought the 4 TB hard drive was too big so I installed a 1TB Purple western digital hdd .It did the same thing. Just to make sure I remove the hard drive from the DVR and powered it. It did the same thing. The most disappointing thing is that I was unable to check this device before my return window closed. I am out of $109 and stuck with a piece of garbage. I have not reached out to amcrest. I am also disappointed because I purchased 2 of amcrest camera which are connected to my swan dvr and the video look very good and my swan dvr is going bad. I will update after speaking with amcrest. UPDATE: Finally got it to work. 1st I reinstalled the 1 TB hard drive.then I plugged in the VGA from the DVR to a monitor. I turn on the dvr and the beeping started again. I notice the blue indicators for the hard drive and the power were lit, but not the network's so I decided to plug in the ethernet and the beeping stopped. There was still a black screen on the monitor. While the monitor was still connected I plug in an HDMI cord to the back of the DVR and the Back of my tv and the camera screen came up on my tv. The monitor screen was still black. There was nothing in the user guide that stated the need of using both the VGA and HDMI at the same time for installation. I did eventually unplug the VGA from the monitor and the camera screen stayed on my tv. After reading reviews about Amcrest customer support I did not call them. I have set up the system and done a little navigating. I have had security cameras all around my house for 15 years and have never had an installation like this before. I will update with video and photos after I connect all of my cameras. I hope this helps someone . (UPDATE) : I had 2 cameras to go out and I don't know why. I have a Swann PTZ camera that went out for a while and came back on and a ZOSI camera that went out and after unplugging and plugging back up it came back on. I've decided to replace the unit. Just doesn't seem worth it.

Don't buy the no name one with crappy app for remote viewing. Those no name apps are buggy and stopped working in a year or two. Amcrest maintains it app so well and it is easy to use. When you buy a NVR/DVR, make sure the app is well-known and well maintained. Otherwise you may end up buying again in a year just like me. I have three offices, I gradually replaced the old dvrs with all Amcrest dvrs due to the app issue with other brand. Amcrest have been doing a very good job on their app for years.