Securame

3104H a "little better"? That is the cheapest DVR Dahua has had on sale for a while, and it is being discontinued I think for the 5104 model, or the 0404LF-AS model (which is the same, but with alarm inputs). So while I think it is indeed better than any no brand (generic H264 DVR), it really is not something great. But hey; I am not advising against buying it. It is a good unit, I have sold quite a few with no problems, it is just the most basic entry level from Dahua. If you are worried about your DVR being stolen, well, it is usually easier, cheaper, and better to have a second DVR somewhere else, and record on both places. Or just have the real DVR hidden, and some old, crappy or non working unit being displayed, so it will be the one taken away.

With the latest Hikvisions you can do that easily. You can actually get an screenshot just with an http call, it works with both DVRs, NVR, IP cameras, etc. http://www.securamente.com/como-obtener-un-screenshot-de-un-dvr-o-camara-ip-hikvision-con-una-url/

Any decent quality outdoors camera should do it.

That would be possible connected to a computer, either using a computer as a DVR, or having a DVR and a computer running the CMS software. With a standalone DVR, I would say that it is not.

That has nothing to do with the DVR. Just crappy cameras, I would say.

You do need to access the DVR on the web interface, like ssnapier told you.

You need to have some basics on networking. There is no guide "just for you", since the guide would depend on the DVR, your router, your internet connection, your mobile device, etc., there is not a standard way for doing it. You either need some basic knowledge on networking (or someone who does), or time you are willing to invest on learning.

If you wish to have decent video output, get a monitor/TV that has VGA input, and use a VGA cable. A VGA to video adapter would serve, but you would be losing quality (and it would only output to the yellow cable; red and white are for audio, and VGA output does not carry audio). You could record 2 audio feeds in one channel, but it would be a bit of a mess.

That is not the make and model. From your screenshot, I see the text KPD674Z, so I guess it must be an AVTech KPD674Z DVR, something like the following. http://www.avtech.com.tw/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=111 No one will make a step by step guide just for you. If you want to save time, pay someone to configure the DVR for you. If you want to do it yourself, you will need to look up information on: what ports your DVR uses (you can see it on the network config section, or on your DVR manual); you will have to find out how to open ports on your router (it changes from router to router); and unless you have a static IP, you will have to find about using a dynamic DNS service. You will also need to know what software your DVR uses for connecting from an iPhone. If it is an AVTech DVR, it should not be that difficult.

LOL, really... you actually expect someone to create for you a "step by step guide" on how to set up your DVR, but you do not even bother providing any information on your DVR, like brand and model? " title="Applause" />

You can't, you will need to change the camera.

The date/timestamp ARE embedded on the video, so it surely would be a heck of a job to modify it after the recording has been done... Deleting the video, changing the date/time on the DVR when the reccording is done, I would see that easier.

That surely looks like an Interocitor, yes.

Try to use a web port other than 80.

You are missing one port, latest Hikvision DVRs use 3 ports. Previous models/firmwares only used 2 ports, web and data (by default 80 and 8000). Now they also have RTSP port, so they use 3 ports, web, RTSP and data (by default 80, 554 and 8000). If you do not have the data port forwarded, you won't be able to connect with iVMS.

Read again my previous post.

Just that I would rather have D1 at 25fps than WD1 at 12fps. But with any of them you should be fine.

Check the power supply of the DVR. It is probably something like 12V 5A, see if you have another power supply that gives the same output, or even more A. One of the first simptoms of failing power supply on the DVR, when it gives less A that it should be giving, is the HD not working ok, or not being able to power up at all.

Check this one out for NFS: http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1729

I would say that this unit must also be susceptible to weather as the other one, none of them seem good for outdoors unless properly protected.

Someone else will have to help you with this; I do not know the default IP for Dahua DVR. Default ports will surely be 80, 554, 37777 and 37778. Once you know the IP, you should be able to temporarily configure your router on the same subnet, and forward the needed ports to the DVR IP (or just put it on the DMZ). This way it can be upgraded remotely with the correct firmware.

You will probably need to flash the firmware. Dahua chinese firmwares do not have an option to just "switch" to english, you need to flash it with an english firmware. Contact whoever sold it to you, they should be able to change the firmware remotely (as long as you know how to configure the DVR so they can access it over internet).

I am sure they must be reliable. Not cheap, but I think they should not give you any headaches on the long run.

If I had to choose, I would take DS-7204HFI-SH. But hey, for a little bit more you can get DS-7204HWI-SH, which will do WD1 25fps.

Check this out. http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/new-products/keene-audio-embedder-injects-digital-audio-into-your-hdmi.html http://www.amazon.co.uk/AUDIENCE-HDMI-AUDIO-INSERTER-EMBEDDER/dp/B004VFKQTK