I was looking for a decent NVR system for my home, found 12MP 4 cam Swann NVR [Model SWNVK-890004] at 20% off on Swann website [expired now], and their eBay store has further 100$ off via code: SEOFYHG coming down to almost 1100$ which is still pretty decent I think.
Couldn't find 12MP/6K on Reolink
6K is mostly a gimmick, and just uses up your NVR storage space quicker. 4k is plenty good enough for face / number plate recognition in almost any scenario, and yields nice crispy footage.
This is the package I'd probably buy if I were in the market for a 4-camera home system today: https://reolink.com/au/product/rlk8-822d4-a/
There's a similar deal for similar cameras without the 3x zoom for $100 cheaper, but the zoom lens allows extra flexibility for installation locations, and also allows a slightly wider field of view when zoomed all the way out.
If you really must have 6K cameras, you can buy 4 of the Reolink RLC-1212A cameras linked by JV below, add an NVR and 4 x cables, and still be around the same price as this Swann package.
Also - the higher-res cameras tend to not be as good at night. The higher-resolution just picks up more noise, although a lot depends on the processing firmware and hardware.
You also need to be aware that some of the cameras (without a spotlight) giving good pics or colour at night do so by having a very low frame rate, so blurring is an issue.
Swan is not decent one in my experience. One of them i bought without proper research..:(
This. Admittedly it's been a while since I owned Swann but it was pretty dismal at the time.
Agreed. Swann is over-priced and unreliable in my (admittedly limited) experience.
I bought one 5'ish years ago. Can't remember the exact model, but an 8 channel NVR-something model and 4 camera pack. Archaic everything software wise, and as of around a year or so ago I can no longer view or use the NVR remotely due to nothing being supported any more. App doesn't work with that model, and IE was required for plugins that allowed you to view the stream. Bit rubbish in that regard. Hardware wise it works ok I guess.
Same boat but I found the Reolink app is compatible with my swan NVR. Only thing that doesn't work is downloading recordings to phone, but I didnt have that functionality on the swann view live app anyway.
Swan is far from decent. Don't be fooled by whatever they say on the paper.
junk
Looking at getting some cameras, what everyone's preferred brand? Reolink still?
Axis…
Good choice but very expensive.
Because you pay for quality. But for the average home user it is probably over the top lol.
I started to use some Uniview gear before moving out of the industry, which i found on par with a lot of other brands at a much lower price point, however Reolink is pretty good stuff if you can grab some on sale why not.
Reolink is still one of the better choices for home systems - excellent bang for the buck, good feature set with broad compatibility, fully local if you prefer, no mandatory subscriptions or other gotchas. Independent testing shows they out-perform cameras double the price, in many scenarios.
They have a sale on at the moment, so you can get some good prices.
Thanks for the comments, looks like there is a pattern on Swann's reliability…
Cancelled my order and Reolink is under processing now.
Cheers
Wise decision!
i bought a wireless cam for the front of the house and take advantage of their free cloud service in case power outage etc
Always check Swann’s refurbished stock page for good deals:
https://au.swann.com/deals/refurbished/?gclid=CjwKCAjwkeqkBh…
While there’s not a lot of love for Swann here, I’ve had a Swann system running for almost 8 years without a hitch.
The interface is a bit clunky and it takes a while to search and download video, but it works… but I have a earlier system from when they were all clunky.
On Reolink - I’ve always understood that Swann and Reolink cameras are made in the same factory and that the cameras are interchangeable on the NVRs?????
I can't see much similarity between Reolink and Swann camera specs or appearance. If they're made in the same factory, it's for 2 different customers.
Most NVRs are compatible with other brand's cameras to some extent - they usually support various protocols like ONVIF or RSTP for basic functionality.
Does reolink nvr support swan camera
I have very, very old HIK 4K around my home/office. Before most of the spying accusations. Works still perfectly never a single hitch not even a HDD change yet. So for quality, HIKVision is actually very very good in my opinion.
Whether the HiLook is AS GOOD (cheaper consumer based from same factory) or whether they spy on you, I'll raise my hands and stay out of it, but in my opinion the HIK factory HARDWARE WISE make very very reliable gear.
This is going by other customers also.
Reolink are currently having a sale.