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We even purchased a voice camera to add to the system in place of one of the original eight cameras. But they were very good and professional when they called back.We decided we wanted to add a few more cameras to our system that had 8 cameras - this brought the system to a huge deterioration in quality. I explained what happened to the quality and the fact that the images were now jerky - everyone now looks like a robot. Support calls you back in about a half a day so if your in a hurry, this might not serve your needs.
If I knew that if I expanded the system I would lose quality I might have chosen a larger Defender or other brand system so I could get what I paid for.Again, at 8 cameras - it is a great system - beware of expanding. the first 8 and then the second 8 even if there is only 1 camera on the second 8. Even if you only add one more camera, the frames split per halves of the camera system - i.e. First we installed one with all eight cameras. When it worked fine we purchased the second system to use 6 cameras with the system. We had an issue with viewing it via the internet, but a phone call to support and we were back in business. We contacted Defender via their tech support chat.
Wow - what a disappointment the system became - just by adding a camera to the the "expandable" system.I asked Defender why they didn't let consumers know about the drop in frames per second when they advertise their system as expandable, and the response was - we don't advertise what the system can't do - my reply to them was, consumers don't want to know what it can't do - we want to know what we are getting. We purchased 2 of these systems for 2 separate locations. Both systems worked good. It was explained that there are only 120 frames per second for the entire system.
You can still see one camera at a time easily on it, but multiple camera viewing isn't it's forte. It's ridiculously small. I am SO GLAD I found it. The Swann system was just a pain in the neck from the get-go. I researched again and found the Defender Sentinel3. and I got to talk to a real person within about 15 minutes and they actually fixed the problem for me over the phone (and they were nice about it).
It's easy to log into once it's set up and it's just cool.The Sentinel cameras are clearer than the Swann cameras were, too and they're smaller and black, instead of Swann silver.The one thing I didn't care for was the size of the monitor. They're harder to install, could never get the internet viewing capability up and running and their tech support is in Australia. Then one of the cameras failed within 3 months of buying it and I was just done. It was EASY to set up, the internet viewing thing was a little challenging again and I needed help, so I called tech support and GUESS WHAT. I waited on hold for an hour and 15 minutes (not an exaggeration) the first time and more than 40 minutes the 2nd. I bought this system to replace a newly purchased Swann 4-camera system.
I finally gave up and just lived with it (for awhile). They're in the U.S.
Some things are harder to describe, yet are simple tasks. Customer Service is also sending my some new mounting thumbscrews. The definition is on the low end. They are cast alum and the threads are stamped. It was a tight fit and I was able to just remove it and re-fit back to the female connector.
The metal ferrule on the camera connector came loose inside of the power cable and the extension cable would not fit. The Spartan 1 cameras are 420 TV lines of resolution and have 12 LEDs. The DVR is set up for 16 channels and comes with 8 Spartan 1 cameras. I have ordered a higher resolution camera for one location that requires more resolution. The system can be expanded however; the DVR will not control a variable focus camera without a separate power supply. I also ordered the extension cables and had a problem with one of the connectors. The I/B was a little hard to follow but after I had the cameras installed and on-line, things just fell into place.
I had one problem with the mounting thumb screws. I contacted customer service and they were able to indentify the problem and correct it. I am very pleased with the Defender and it was priced very competitive when pricing individual components. The DNS set-up to view the DVR on line is well explained and easy to set up. This is a great DIY system and well packaged for a system to monitor movement and allow surveillance for a remote location through the DNS server feature. I had to use a 10/32 tap to chase the threads in the mounting brackets and purchase steel thumbscrews from Home depot to complete the mounting. They work really well at night up to 15 feet.
Recommend getting a UPS and plug strip to power all the cameras and monitor. I can view it remotely on my home network, but need to change router settings so that I can view from my office at work all the time. DVR cooling fan runs continuously and makes noise.
Would be nice to have a DVR remote so that you can change viewing/settings from another room. Hooked all eight cameras up and tested views/angles first, before finalizing camera/DVR locations. Might add a few more cameras since DVR will handle eight more. Was fairly easy to install, except worst part was crawling around in my attic pulling wires. Purchased in February 2009 after a December 2008 burglary at my house. Found out that you don't want the camera behind glass or facing each other in order to prevent nighttime "bounces" or hot spots). A couple of the camera "ball" mounts had to be tightened with pliers. The 8.5 inch monitor is small when viewing all cameras on split screen.
Also installed a GE Simon XT in addition to the cameras. Sentinel 3 system works very well. I have an L-shaped rancher with lots of windows and 3 exterior doors, plus garage door and am trying to cover all the doors and most of the windows. I have added a video splitter so that I can view the display on a regular size screen in another room.
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