bogotabro 0 Posted November 12, 2013 I found this forum after deciding to return my third DVR/camera combo kit for a refund. The first was a DVR/two-camera system from Swann. Liked the GUI but the cameras have zero night vision capability, even though they are explicitly marketed and sold to have up to 65' night vision. The first kit was returned for another one, which made no difference. Swann then "upgraded" the two cameras to their "Pro Series" model, which made no difference. Entire system ended up going back to online retailer for full refund. Then came a DVR/four-camera system from Samsung. I trusted the brand name alone, and thought all my wishes would come true. Well, the camera images are good, but I hate the GUI. It's cumbersome to navigate, full of glitches and basically clunky. The user manual lacks detail and reads like a translation from Chinese by someone who doesn't speak a word of English. And tech support? They either know nothing about their products or can't even understand the issue you are trying to explain to them. Basically you are left to figure out everything on your own. After a week of frustration and anger and one last conversation with an arrogant support tech, I'd had enough and decided to return this system as well. I thought I'd done my homework, but after reading this forum, I decided to piece together a system, and went with a Dahua DVR with four Sony cams, which I am currently waiting to arrive. With each of these systems I spent from $50-$120 more than the last, but am still well below the cost of the industrial-grade high-end equipment. I am hoping this set up finally satisfies my needs and is worth the money. Will be looking for more advice as I go along..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bogotabro 0 Posted November 19, 2013 OK I am at my wits end and need some help. I got the new Dahua DVR installed with two of the Sony cams so far, and neither of the cams have hardly any IR vision capability. I fully expected these cameras to be as good as a cheap little stand-alone Lorex wireless camera I also use, which has excellent night vision. I'm beginning to think I am doing something wrong. The cameras have their own settings but I think that is only for direct IP connection. Is there anything anyone can suggest as to why I am constantly getting little to no IR night vision with these supposedly mid-grade cameras? I like the Dahua DVR but as with the other foreign manufacturers, the user guide is practically useless as it goes into no detail and reads like a very bad Chinese-English translation. I cannot figure out how to set the recording duration after a motion detection. The DVR records for only less than a minute. One recording stopped while I was still in the picture, standing there unlocking my door. This is unacceptable. I am extremely frustrated, and any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomcctv 187 Posted November 19, 2013 hi. take a look in your PM for new manual also do you have a link to your cameras. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bogotabro 0 Posted November 20, 2013 Tom, thanks for the manual but that does not appear to be the DVR I have. I ordered a Dahua 404 but did not seem to get that particular model. The cameras and the franchise I got them from are these: http://hdsecuritystore.com/product.php?id_product=215 I need an explanation of the meanings of all the OSD settings as well. The sheet that came with them gives no explanation at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
