Boogieman

Why do you think changing the drive or setting to CIF (which is much lower resolution than D1) will help with the file format? Most of these DVR's require you to use a proprietary player for playback...

There is no point in using these hybrid drives in NVR/DVR's.... Larger SSD now have incredibly long life, but the price and size limitation make them inefficient for recorders.

Great

There are solutions to your issue. Ignore others who say otherwise. Google "hikvision 5.25".

The unit is a dahua...it is not hybrid http://www.dahuasecurity.com/download/20150605yocoqp.pdf They have similar models that are hybrid.

A firmware update will not solve your problem. They will tell you that until you can no longer return it. This is has been a known issue with foscams and the like forever. Google it.

Please dont post the same question 5 times in the forum.

Why do you need wifi? If you dont want to rewire, simply buy an HD over coax kit like this one. http://www.costco.com/Q-See-8-Channel-HD-Analog-DVR-with-1TB-HDD%2c-4-720p-Cameras-with-80'-Night-Vision.product.100229390.html orhttp://www.costco.com/Q-See-8-Channel-HD-Analog-DVR-with-2TB-HDD%2c-8-720p-Cameras-with-100'-Night-Vision.product.100161016.html http://www.costco.com/Lorex-8-Channel-HD-Analog-DVR-with-2TB-HDD%2c-8-1080p-Cameras-with-130'-Night-Vision.product.100218592.html

If you need tech support and want a lifetime return policy, the lorex kits at costco are dahua..most of the swann kits are hikvision. The trick to nightime video is providing enough ambient light or go to much more expensive cameras... This kit is on sale for 1299. Its rebranded dahua. http://www.costco.com/Q-See-16-Channel-HD-IP-NVR-with-3TB-HDD%2c-8-4MP-Cameras-with-100'-Night-Vision.product.100213199.html If you want to start with six cameras look at this kit, its rebranded hikvision..449 But you need to add your own hard drive (look at wd purple) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881183053&cm_re=laview_1080p-_-81-183-053-_-Product

The new cameras have new defaults. Try 123456789abc

If you are starting with a single camera, get an ip camera with sd card recording capability...look through the threads on hikvision or dahua...

battery operated cameras are garbage. They cannot prerecord because they need to be triggered by their pir sensor to turn on. You also cannot integrate them into a wired system because they use proprietary technology...they will charge you a monthly fee as well. You will have to constantly change battery. It will be cheaper to hire someone to run the cable. Dont be pennywise and pound foolish.

It will not be able to support 15.4w on all ports ..it will max out at 72w...this is how these switches are rated..it is rare to need 15.4 on each port.. Ok so when calculating for total watts consumption, i will just refer to max power of switch (72w) and no need to count the number of cameras on and each of the camera rated draw? Because the combined total wattage draw of all cameras attached on a PoE switch will never exceed the maximum wattage capability of the switch, correct? Regards No that is not true...some cameras require 10+ watts...its depends on what cameras you are connecting...if your cameras only draw 5w then its a non issue since you will only draw 40w max.

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=49047&p=281598#p281598

It will not be able to support 15.4w on all ports ..it will max out at 72w...this is how these switches are rated..it is rare to need 15.4 on each port..

If you are going to spend 200, you may as well buy a kit like this, with 720p cameras, that will blow away whatever analog cams you have or intend to use. http://www.costco.com/Q-See-8-Channel-HD-Analog-DVR-with-1TB-HDD%2c-4-720p-Cameras-with-80'-Night-Vision.product.100229390.html

check the specs...the switch can do 15.4 PER port but there is also a total max of 72 in your case...most cameras only consume 3-4w. the poe switch itself is NOT consuming 72w...that is with the MAX load attached.

Wouldn't this require the camera to have the IR filter removed? No...led bulbs the kind that are designed to replace incandescent and cfl...they produce visible light..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HXFARS?keywords=hdmi%20splitter&qid=1448854441&ref_=sr_1_6&s=audio-video-accessories&sr=1-6

Never used that particular acti, however, in the past their high res cameras have had TERRIBLE low light vision..i mean really really bad. So, buy from a place with easy returns. Instead of nightlights consider led bulbs and leave the fixture on...

While technically you can run wireless (by using a wifi bridge) or powerline adapters. I would recommend hiring someone to run the cable in the wall. You will likely have dropouts over wifi. Avoid it.

Everyone has a different interpretation of "hi resolution"....look at the specs..its low resolution. IF you want better images buy an HD system. Effective Pixels NTSC=768(H)x494(V) / PAL=752(H)x582(V) That is effectively D1. Low res.

90 percent of the time that is the problem. Otherwise it may be the power supply... If its something on the board, its not worth fixing...dvr's are cheap...

Mechanical and sata are not mutually exclusive. Its certainly mechanical and most likely sata, you need to open it up to see...it would have to be a really old unit to be ide.

The camera is not high resolution...not sure why you think that. The DVR supports D1 which is not very good, the cameras resolution is rated just above D1.. If you want a better image you need to get an HD camera and an HD dvr...