Swann 8 Channel 4k Ultra Hd Nvr Security System Unboxing Review Install Setup & Demo Nvr-8000

For this review, nosotros're revisiting a classic with Swann, a visitor that'south long been considered a pioneer in DIY domicile security. Their huge lineup of products, from wireless and wire-gratis cameras to wired systems, has made Swann a summit pick amidst homeowners, and for us, likewise.

We call up Swann'due south best nugget is their diverseness of solid, reliable wired camera systems. Getting wired cameras means you lot're getting a stable, almost flawless connection that's not susceptible to interference, and Swann ranks amid the best wired camera brands for simply that reason.

Our team picked up Swann's Smart Security System Wi-Fi series, a parcel that includes two bullet-manner 1080p Hard disk cameras and a iv-channel network video recorder (NVR).i

Swann Cams and NVR

Every bit this is such a massive brand, we wanted to get a total moving-picture show of everything a typical Swann system has to offer.

Swann is a visitor with a long history in dwelling security, and so we knew we were getting a reliable, well-made product. Simply we also know that Swann cameras aren't inexpensive, particularly if you're looking for larger systems to secure an entire house. Is a Swann system worth the money? Would it encounter our expectations? We respond those questions and more, starting now.

PROS

• Well-Established Visitor
• Huge Choice of Cameras
• Wireless, Wired, and Wire-Free Models Bachelor
• True Detect Rut and Motility Sensing
• Smartphone Controls
• Free Local Storage
• Easy Setup Options

CONS

• Subscription Required for Cloud Storage
• Wireless Connections Decumbent to Interference
• Easy to Become Overwhelmed by Options
• Build Quality Could Exist Improved

Unboxing our Swann Cameras

Swann Packaging

Nosotros were pleased to see that Swann'due south package includes everything we need to install, prepare, and utilise the cameras starting from solar day one. That said, our Swann arrangement (our model number is NVW-490, in instance you're interested) allows for plenty of options for connecting to our habitation Wi-Fi, thanks to its four-aqueduct 1080p recorder (the blackness box) that includes a 1 TB hard drive.

Did You Know: Swann makes great cameras, merely you're non going to notice fancy product names or sleek designs here. They're pretty no-frills, and then if you're looking for something a bit more stylish, check out our total experience with Arlo cameras.

Also, we do want to point out that there are two actress channels on our NVR that are intended to connect two more Swann cameras to the organisation. This is practiced news for usa because Swann has a whole lot of cameras we could add on to our organization if we wanted to: Floodlight cameras, spotlight cameras, pan-tilt-zoom cameras, and even indoor nanny cams.

Clearly, if you want a brand with variety, Swann's a bang-up pick. How exercise nosotros know this? Hither'southward a cursory look at how nosotros review Swann cameras every bit well every bit other fast facts near Swann:

Swann Camera Features

Days Tested	fifteen+
No. of Cameras	22
Best Asset	Wired Photographic camera Systems
Video Resolution	1080p HD
Price	$58+

But back to installation. Equally we lifted the cameras out of the box, we noted they included mounting screws and drill template, which told us that installing our cameras would exist relatively simple – seeing as we've get somewhat handy with a drill.

Swann Cams

If you're not comfy drilling holes into walls, that's totally OK, but it could exist that DIY photographic camera systems aren't for y'all, and it'south time to await into a fully wired option that tin can be professionally installed. ADT security systems, another industry classic, offers professional installation and continuous monitoring. We recommend starting there, and yous tin can always add on more cameras after.

Swann Cam, Mouse, and NVR

As is expected with camera systems like this, we didn't quite get that lightning-fast installation and setup feel with Swann as we did when we installed Band's security cameras. There was just some legwork involved for the NVR, with its numerous inputs and cables for us to plug in to go everything upward and running.

Back of Swann NVR

Go on in heed, though, that installing even the best outdoor cameras is usually a bit more than complicated than installing indoor cams, especially if y'all're dealing with ability adapters, network cables, or other connections. But that's not to say this was a tough task; when information technology comes to multi-camera systems similar this, we'd definitely put this installation process in the easy column.

And, nigh that blackness box … if you lot're not familiar with it, network video recorders are common with many security cameras, and Swann makes several packages that include them. Basically, an NVR works by storing and organizing videos that the camera processes through its own built-in chipset. Similar the VCRs of days gone by, we simply connected our NVR to our TV, which streamed our cameras and allowed united states to search through recordings. And, cheers to the Ethernet cable included in the box, we were able to connect the box to our TV via Ethernet to stabilize our connectedness.

Swann Outside Cam

Setting Upward Swann

To fully understand how these cameras would perform in our home twenty-four hour period to mean solar day, our first step was to prepare up our Swann cameras through their corresponding app, AlwaysSafe. If y'all choose Swann, this is where you'll be able to control your cameras' motion detection, set motion zones, schedule recordings and alerts, and more.

Swann App Settings

Once we downloaded the app, we took a brief look around before syncing our cameras to it. Right away nosotros could run into this app's layout was pretty simple and barebones. That, we learned, is a reflection of the camera's relatively express features. It doesn't have artificial intelligence-powered person detection,2 for instance, which is a powerful feature common in Ring, Arlo, and even Amcrest's assortment of cameras.

On the other hand, it did allow usa lots of different ways to customize our cameras. For case, even though Swann's camera can produce 1080p epitome quality, nosotros tin reduce that resolution to "fluent" (usually around 720p) to reduce strain on our home Wi-Fi. This has always come in handy for u.s.a., equally our Wi-Fi service isn't always stellar. This is something you lot'll want to keep in heed, especially if your Wi-Fi speeds aren't super fast.

Swann App

Pro Tip: Because Swann makes so many cameras, they have several unlike apps that stand for to different devices. So be sure to check your organisation'southward box or instruction manual to see which app works with your Swann camera.

To complete our setup, we had a few options. We could sync our cameras to the app using the QR codes3 on the dorsum of the cameras, or we could enter our UID, which is a number we found when nosotros pulled upwardly our cameras' display on our TV subsequently installing the NVR.

Swann UID

This tripped the states up for a moment. It's important to notation that for these cameras to work on our phones, we had to give the app permission to access not just our photo library, merely our telephone's camera equally well.

Swann App Photo Permission

To practise that, nosotros went into our telephone's settings and added photographic camera permissions to our Swann app. This is super piece of cake to exercise, but if you don't want the app to continue to have access to your camera, you can merely turn off that setting after your cameras are synced to the app.

Nosotros do desire to notation, though, that Wi-Fi cameras are pretty much all alike in this way: You have to allow the cameras to interact with your network, and in order to do that, they need admission to some features on your phone that you might consider private, similar your location and your photos. Again, if that's a concern for you, consider steering yourself toward a wired system with professional monitoring. Or, you could e'er go with a SimpliSafe arrangement, which is one of the easiest security systems we've always installed. It actually depends on your preference, and of course, your budget.

And so, one time our cameras and NVR were all synced, nosotros had a nice, clear 1080p display on both our smartphone and our TV.

Swann Cameras on our Television receiver

By the way, the "video loss" you're seeing on the lesser one-half of our Television receiver? That'south there because there are only 2 cameras connected to our NVR, just information technology's actually intended to house iv.

At present, information technology was fourth dimension to do some deep exploration of these cameras and run across how they would fare in the face of threats like porch pirates, car break-ins, and more.

Our Experience With Swann Cameras

Swann Cam

There'south a lot to like in Swann, with its vast product choice and its impressive move detection technology. But that'south not to say they're a swell fit for everyone. There were some points of concern for usa, also. Here's a quick rundown of some features we liked, along with a few that could be improved:

Truthful Find Rut-Sensing Technology

One selling indicate for u.s.a. was the brand'south True Find heat- and move-sensing sensing engineering science. While heat-triggered move detection (besides known as passive infrared, or PIR, detection)four is not new in cameras, the unique thing about Swann'due south technology is that it senses heat from both people and vehicles to trigger alerts and push notifications.

Swann Motion Detection

That means, for one, yous won't get notifications for things like flying bugs or branches swaying in the wind, which volition continue your storage space from filling upwards too fast. Heat-sensing motion is pretty common in outdoor cameras, so we're glad Swann makes this feature accessible and easy to apply. Nosotros also liked existence able to make quick changes, like turning PIR off if we'd rather reduce the number of alerts we're getting.

Free Local Storage

Swann NVR

Thanks to that super-versatile NVR in our Swann organisation, we had a number of options for power and network connection. But the best role of an NVR, in our view, is the huge amount of storage information technology gives us. This ane contains a 1 TB hard bulldoze. That's 1 terabyte,5 which is … a lot of bytes, trust us.

This ample video storage ways, first and foremost, we weren't going to have to bound for a cloud storage subscription – although Swann does offer 1. For people like us, who would rather not become locked into contracts or monthly subscription fees, this is an selection we're quite fond of.

FYI: If you happen to need more video storage for your Swann, we like that you lot can also add together a micro SD carte du jour to the NVR for additional local storage, or fifty-fifty attach another hard drive (upwardly to 4 TB) via USB.

Express Motion Detection

When the cameras notice movement, they work like most other security cameras exercise: by producing a video containing the motility, sending us a notification that move was detected, and – after a few minutes of waiting – letting us access that video through either the AlwaysSafe app or our TV.

This is all well and good, except that we discovered Swann doesn't give us whatever indication of where or what the movement is. For case, when nosotros were due to have a package delivered, we wanted to see if information technology had arrived while nosotros were out walking the canis familiaris. We received a motion notification on our phone, and later on that brief waiting period, we had our video, ready to view.

Keeping in listen that most of the videos these cameras produce come in betwixt two and three minutes, we at present had to watch the entirety of our video to find out if the fine folks at UPS had delivered our bundle, or if it was something else entirely.

Sure enough, it was something else entirely: Information technology turns out it was my dear husband checking out some maintenance problems on the porch. The packet, as of this writing, hadn't arrived yet.

So, we had to sit down through the whole clip to learn what we'd missed – non a huge deal, but we've seen a few brands handle this better. When we unboxed a Canary camera system, for instance, nosotros received motion alerts that included thumbnails with green outlines effectually the activity the camera captured. This allowed u.s. to know exactly what activity the camera had picked up equally shortly as we opened our app. For on-the-go folks, the more than insight we can become from our cameras correct away, the more than effective they'll be.

With Swann, we were spending more time viewing our recordings, waiting for the videos to load, and trying to brand sense of all that activity. This wasn't a deal-breaker, especially considering the relatively low price point of Swann cameras. In fact, it'south almost to be expected. But it's still something to keep in heed.

Swann Indoor Video Quality

Nosotros as well get that it's a somewhat unfair comparing, considering Canary is known for being heavy on advanced tech.

Pro Tip: If you lot're finding information technology difficult to download or load footage from your Swann camera, we propose reducing the photographic camera's resolution to "fluent" and trying once again. That fashion, your Wi-Fi signal won't have to work quite equally difficult, and loading time should speed up.

Limited Field of View

These days, we're finding that folks seem to exist really interested in getting the widest possible viewing angle from their security cameras — and we're correct there with them! It makes sense, as the more coverage you have, the fewer cameras yous demand, right?

So that's why we were a little dismayed to see that our Swann cameras, despite a wide-angle lens, have a mere 75-degree viewing angle. That'southward quite a flake lower than some of Swann's rivals, notably Lorex's wireless cameras, whose security cameras boast a 120-degree field of view or higher, depending on the model.

Despite this minor shortcoming, nosotros withal had no problem finding appropriate angles and positions for our Swann cameras that gave us enough of coverage. Information technology was especially adept at keeping an extra eye on our always-in-motion offspring, equally seen in this prune:

Weatherproof Equipment

Swann Outside Cam Installed

With an IP65 weather rating, we knew our Swann cameras would be able to withstand most weather events – barring extreme flooding.

Just at that place'due south but 1 more thing we plant to be a bit lacking nearly our cameras: the quality of the devices themselves. Though they are weatherproof, they but don't feel as sturdy or solid as other cameras, in our experience. Just something to keep in heed as you're shopping around.

Smart Home Integration

"Does information technology piece of work with Alexa?" is one of the virtually common questions we hear when it comes to shopping for security cameras. Having reviewed several of Swann's cameras before, nosotros tin say this for certain: Many of their cameras do, in fact, work with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-gratis voice control of the cameras.

It only so happens that our Swann organisation, the NVW-490, does not have this adequacy. This was definitely a downside for us, equally the bulk of cameras we've reviewed permit for integration for at least one smart domicile device (normally Alexa). We really think smart home integration should be standard in security cameras nowadays – especially those with "smart" in their names.

But again, with such an extensive and diverse selection, it wasn't difficult for us to pop over to Swann's website and immediately strop in on several cameras with features that our current arrangement lacks, including some intriguing dwelling house automation features. Swann's NVR- and DVR-based cameras don't generally provide this feature, but after a quick wait at the company's product page, we found a handful of cams that would do the task, including their Wireless 1080p Security Camera (SWIFI-CAMW) as well every bit their 1080p Alert Indoor Camera (SWIFI-ALERTCAMPK2).

Swann Alert Indoor Camera

Those cams are definitely worth a 2d look if yous're looking to use your cameras with a smart dwelling house assistant, but for u.s., being able to cast our cameras onto our Television was merely as effective.

Did You Know?: If you are looking for more home automation in your cameras, we covered all that and more in our dwelling house automation systems guide.

Customer Service

With and then many companies scaling back operations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we're never quite sure what to wait out of customer service these days, which includes even the brands we've lauded for customer service in the by.

In the case of Swann, nosotros tin written report a more often than not pleasant customer service experience. When we hit a snag during setup, nosotros turned to Swann'due south live chat first, hoping that would be a fast, efficient way to go clarity on our issue.

Swann Support Chat

At outset, nosotros were kicked off the chat queue, equally you can see above. Only when we started a new conversation, someone greeted u.s. within less than a minute.

Whether that someone was human being or robot, we tin can't definitively say. Just they were quite helpful either fashion.

Pricing and Subscriptions

In our tests and experiences with Swann, nosotros've establish their prices to be largely fair and reasonable– but we wouldn't telephone call them cheap, either. It's of import to notation that Swann is large on packages, so if y'all're looking to save money in the long run, yous'll discover the parcel options to be more than economic. But the private cameras tin can get pretty pricey.

As an example, most of Swann's bullet cameras, which is the style of cameras we tested, run from $99 to about $170. Take note, though, that Swann offers resolutions all the style up to 4K ultra Hard disk in their cameras, so this is definitely a "you lot get what you pay for" scenario.

See below for simply a small sampling of pricing for Swann. And check out our full roundup of Swann prices here.

Swann Photographic camera Pricing

Swann Model	Camera Type	Cost
1080p Wi-Fi Alert Camera	1080p Hard disk drive Wi-Fi	$89.99
Wi-Fi Floodlight Security Camera	1080p HD Wi-Fi	$179.99
Master Serial 4K Dome Camera	4K HDR hardwired	$119.99
Swann Wi-Fi Series 1080p Camera	1080p Hard disk drive Wi-Fi	$99.99

FYI: Bullet-style cameras are pop in the manufacture when information technology comes to design. Non just are they slap-up for both indoor and outdoor protection, we likewise believe they're among the best deterrents to potential intruders.

Our Smart Security System, with its 2 cameras and iv-channel recorder, cost us $269. Indeed, pricing on Swann is all over the place, so it's of import to take your fourth dimension to notice the production that'southward best for you.

That said, if you're looking to shop big amounts of video, we're glad to come across that Swann makes that option pretty affordable, too. The $4.99 monthly fee for Swann's ExtraSafe plan, for instance, is just slightly higher than Ring's standard cloud subscription option at $3 per month. But you might besides notice that while Swann's plan includes thirty days of storage, Ring's monitoring plan actually offers double the storage for that same $3 monthly fee. Just something to keep in mind.

Here's a breakdown of Swann's video storage options:

Swann Video Storage	Local Camera Storage	ExtraSafe Programme
7-solar day Local Retentivity	Yes	Aye
Cloud Storage	2 days	30 days rolling
Ongoing Back up	No	Yep
30-Day Free Trial	No	Yeah
Price	Gratuitous	$4.99 per month

Our Verdict and Recommendations

All told, our Swann NVR system performed equally any quality security photographic camera should; with a stiff Wi-Fi connection, we enjoyed clear, smooth live views of both of our cameras, and nosotros didn't have to worry about false notifications, thank you to Swann's True Notice heat sensors.

For those reasons, as well equally all the other features and options we observed throughout our tests of Swann products, nosotros tin can say without a doubt that these are good, solid security cameras.

Swann Outdoor Nighttime Vision

With all that said, though, we would even so exist hesitant to recommend Swann over more than feature-rich cameras, which are condign more pop in an industry that'southward growing by leaps and bounds. We're finding that folks these days tend to gravitate toward cameras that offer more Swann's relatively basic feature set, and we'd include ourselves in that category, also.

For those reasons, we recommend taking a closer wait at i of Google'due south characteristic-rich Nest Cams instead. However, knowing those cameras also come with a loftier price indicate, you might also desire to look into Ring'south Stick Upward or Spotlight Cam — two of our favorite outdoor security cameras.

Swann FAQs

Are Swann cameras cheap?

For the near part, yep. Prices range from $59 to $179 per camera, and Swann'southward product selection is huge. Almost cameras in their lineup fall into the depression- to mid-range when information technology comes to pricing.

Does Swann work with Alexa?

Not all of Swann'south security cameras offer smart dwelling house automation in their feature sets, simply many of them do. Swann'southward iv Camera 4 Channel 4K Ultra Hard disk drive DVR Security Arrangement, for example, offers smart home integration through Amazon Alexa and the Google Banana for live streaming and voice commands.

How is Swann'southward customer service?

We encountered some issues with live chat on Swann's website, which kicked united states out a couple of times. And so when that didn't work, we tried phone support, which turned out to exist a pleasant experience with an agent who seemed quite knowledgeable about the products.

Practise I have to get a subscription to utilize Swann cameras?

No. Thanks to a local storage selection via a micro SD carte du jour, you can employ Swann cameras and store video internally. This eliminates the need for a subscription to shop video in the deject, although Swann does offer a couple of options at that place.

Are Swann cameras like shooting fish in a barrel to install?

Swann is designed for the DIY blazon, so their cameras don't crave complicated installations. That said, Swann's outdoor cameras might take some basic handiwork (climbing a ladder and using a drill), but overall, we found Swann's cameras quite simple to install.

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Source: https://www.safehome.org/home-security-cameras/swann/reviews/

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