DVR Security System Review

Here is a Lorex DVR that includes all of the hardware required to set up a functional surveillance system. In a nutshell the system consists of a 15” monitor, four day/night cameras, a hard drive for video storage and all the necessary cabling and screws needed for set-up. The four cameras that are included with the L15LD400 operate in color during the day and switch to black and white in low-level lighting. At night the cameras can record images at a range of ten metres. You can install the cameras for the DVR indoors and setting them up outdoors is fine as they are fully weather resistant. The cameras are connected to the Lorex DVR through its BNC ports and they process images in both NTSC and PAL format.

The cameras use a ¼” color CCD image sensor but the maximum pixel range is far from earth shattering at 512*492. If you find the image quality for the cameras too low you always have the option of changing them. If you do decide to change the cameras for the DVR keep in mind that its maximum recording resolution is 704*240 in NTSC and 704-288 in PAL. When recording in CIF the security DVR has a maximum recording resolution of 352*240, the system uses MJPEG video compression. Video recorded by the DVR is stored on its 160GB hard drive; this can be upgraded to a maximum of 400GB. For additional video storage you also have the option of networking the DVR with a Windows PC.

An Ethernet port is integrated into the Lorex DVR allowing you to connect it to the Internet or a Local area network. The system includes the Lorex Client 2.0 software so you can set the DVR up in one location and monitor the system from another. This feature is easily set up over a LAN but requires a little more effort when setting it up over the Internet. You can set up the feature by attaching the DVR to your broadband modem and then you will have to set up port forwarding. It’s worth the effort as it enables you to see activities recorded by the security system from virtually anywhere.

To set up remote monitoring of the Lorex DVR on your PC the specifications don’t have to be top of the range. Lorex Client 2.0 works with Windows 2000 XP and they have also made provisions for Windows Vista. Your processor needs to be a Pentium 1.5 GHz or equivalent and you need at least 256 MB of RAM. Lorex Client 2.0 works on a PC with the mentioned specification but not to its optimum.

The L15LD400 can record continuously, when motion is detected, when an alarm is activated or you can set a schedule for recording. A mouse and remote control are also included with the Lorex DVR. The system also has a USB port that enables you to transfer video recorded onto a memory stick, you can then plug the memory stick into your PC and save the video.

Check the latest price on the Lorex DVR L15LD400 4 Channel Complete Security System