DVR Security System Review

Defender has created a compact surveillance system that may prove useful for anyone who needs to install a CCTV system where space is limited. The core component of the Defender Sentinel 1 is an all in one DVR that consists of a monitor and hard drive rolled into one. Despite the size of the Defender Sentinel 1 it has many of the same functions found on other DVR systems twice its size. The Defender Sentinel 1 is a Triplex DVR so you have the ability to view and record video simultaneously. If you have an Internet connection on the premises where you intend to install the surveillance system you can connect the two together.

If you connect the defender Sentinel 1 to your broadband router you can control the system from any other location that has an Internet connection. This means you can set the DVR to record and you can view what’s going on at home or in your business while you’re away. Pan tilt and zoom functions are integrated into the Defender Sentinel 1, the drawback here is that the cameras included don’t have PTZ functions. Your not stuck with the cameras included with the system, if you really want to make use of the PTZ controls on the Sentinel 1 you can change the cameras. The cameras included with the DVR security system are designed for indoor and outdoor use and they have night vision capabilities.

Four night vision bullet cameras are included with the Sentinel 1, they have CCD color sensors and automatic white balancing. The cameras outer casing is composed of anodised aluminium with a black finish and they have a sunscreen to prevent glare. The camera output is viewed on the systems LCD display either in full screen mode or quad mode allowing you to view all attached cameras at once. You can also view video recorded by the Sentinel 1 by connecting it directly to a monitor. You can set the DVR to record continuously or schedule when the system starts and stops recording.

The DVR supports motion sensor cameras and can also activate recording when motion is detected. Again the drawback here is the cameras included with the Sentinel 1 don’t have motion sensors. Video storage on the Sentinel 1 is handled by its 320 gigabyte Seagate hard drive, the DVR can accommodate hard drives up to 750 gigabytes. The 1 gigabyte USB flash memory card included with the DVR is handy for transferring video to a PC. For added security the DVR has a password protection system so only authorised users can operate it.

You can control the DVR with a standard USB mouse, with the controls on the front of the DVR or with the included remote control. It would have been nice if the Defender Sentinel 1 had support for 1 or two way audio, nonetheless it is an effective CCTV system.

Check the latest price of the Defender Sentinel 1 security system.