Final Thoughts
Pricing
At the time of writing, the Swann DVR8-4550 8-Channel Security System Kit with 4 Cameras can be yours for just £319.99 through Amazon. That’s a bargain considering what you get and it is with a £110.00 discount. US customers don’t seem to have this set available, but they can find a lot of other cool Swann sets instead.
Overview
This was my first complete DVR setup out-of-the-box that I’ve tested and I was pleasantly surprised. Okay, I had expected quality from Swann, but I was still surprised when it comes to the overall value. The bundle is complete and you can get started with just the things that are in the box. Okay, you probably need a power drill to hang the cameras, but other than that. You get a DVR recorder with built-in 2TB HDD, four cameras, all the cables needed, and power supplies are all included and it allows you to get going right away. It even comes with a USB mouse included that you’ll need to control the system.
The video quality is superb and the cameras do a great job of capturing video as well as the motion detection. The DVR is recording at all times and as such it’s possible to start the saved video file at an earlier time frame than the motion event happened. The night vision capabilities are also impressive as the cameras make complete darkness look like a daylight recording in black and white.
The DVR box is a joy to use and navigate. It is easy to find the settings you want as everything is clearly labelled. There’s also a mobile app available for iOS and Android, but not all devices are supported. My Android tablet wasn’t. Swann also has a browser plugin that allows you to remotely connect to the system and fully control it as if you were sitting at it locally. It’s not perfect in its design, but it works and it allows you to do the job.
The built quality is overall nice. The DVR seems sturdy enough but comes with a warning not to place heavy things on top of it. The cameras are quite resilient and are rated for outdoor use too.
So there’s nothing holding you back from a quality, easy to use, and cheap to purchase surveillance system for your home, office, or kind of business.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Everything you need is in the box, even a 2TB Surveillance HDD
- Great video quality
- Remote controllable
- Amazing value for the price
- Lifetime 24/7 support
Cons
- The browser plugin could use a little work
- Not all Android devices are supported
- USB ports are only USB 2.0
“The Swann DVR8-4550 8-Channel Security System Kit provides a superb image quality and great features in a complete pack that doesn’t cost a lot.”
Thank you Swann for providing us with this sample.
