ANNKE - Low Budget CCTV Review

[@jbtr8102]

Let me know what I should review in my next video!

[@ptlofts]

Hi. Can you conect an exterior HDD via usb? Thank you.

[@omidkhub8375]

JBTR thank you for this video. Just wondering what make and model you would recommend for 8mp or 12 mp cams (in the 4k range)?

[@danmas5274]

am i right in saying this will not work without the hard drive at all? i bought this system without just so i could live watch but cant get my cameras to work? im not a tech head lol

[@danmas5274]

@@ptlofts im interested

[@valitocardoso4643]

Could you please make a video how to connect to cctv app?

[@КсенияШакирова-м2г]

*We purchased this after moving, and previously had a spotlight **Newest.Technology** cam with solar power. The wired pro cam has much better light (about the same as a bright porch light), and the image is significantly more clear with much better details.*

[@Jimbo.jack47]

That was a bloody good review

[@myrthabernier1919]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@aurex8937]

Just wanted to post a quick thank you. Clear, detailed and without useless comments. Great review.

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks a bunch!

[@jblondon1327]

Or annoying music on background

[@larryreid8562]

Installed it myself without any issues. The wifi signal is great even kzbin.infoUgkxE_D_sddGAdiVUKp7PkkmyxO7bRtgqmk5 when the router is located far away. I really enjoy the night vision feature that allows me to see clearly any activity near our house (mostly cars and wild animals). The motion detection is helpful to me as well to monitor what happens on our front.

[@kazz9972]

He sounds like he’s had enough of people trying to steal his bike

[@Wheelchair-Andy]

Thank you so much for the raw files so much nicer to really see what night vison looks like

[@jbtr8102]

You're welcome!

[@14Mentalist]

All the haters are burglars.

[@xander890]

You just sold me on getting these. Thanks for the AMAZING and super detailed review!

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks! I’m starting to write a follow up video on the unit so if you have any questions stick them here and I might answer them in the video👌👌

[@jigsawpulse1139]

Thank you for a thorough and straightforward review.

[@benefactionhindrance]

4:15 would not want that guy showing up in my front door 💀

[@mrscmason5080]

Thank you so much. Husband just got this and your review so so helpful thank you.

[@isntitj]

thats cool, I use this road all the time. Ill keep an eye out for these haha

[@80T]

Well, with the 👀 in the sky's, eh

[@GamingLexus]

Outstanding review... couldn’t have wished for more when considering purchase. Thanks

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks GamingLexus, glad I could help!

[@alansussex7867]

Just wanted to say thanks a lot very straightforward alleviated any doubts.So many of there reviews are made by guys who like the sound of there own voice and even more annoying add music!

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks, means a lot! I should really review something else but I just don't know what

[@ashleyfountain7213]

Good review. Just bought these. Thanks.

[@mroberash]

The reason the background ain't lit up at night is because the iR at night is bouncing off the wall angle. move cameras a little bit away from the wall and it will work better at night

[@BigRizza1]

First off, great video! Straightforward, easy to watch, no bullshit. I'm looking at buying these and your video covered everything on my mind except these things. How large are the video files? what format are they recorded in? and typically, how much footage can I record over 1TB of space? TIA!

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks! If you look in the video description there is a link to the raw video files that will answer your questions! They're recorded in mp4 and (calculating from a 59 second clip that is 11.287 megabytes) you should be able to store around 60 days of footage on 1TB :)

[@BigRizza1]

I meant to reply back to you a while ago, thanks a lot mate. Great stuff

[@jacquelinebtoccigailhelena5184]

great system have one with audio and clouds

[@amberadams98]

Thank you . Not bad for 1 mp. Some boxes don't accept higher mp such has 5 & 8 mp. You have to buy boxes that are compatible. I'm told police don't accept under 5 mp videos. 8 mp are better at reading car plates. The higher the mp the more memory it uses from your hard drive and power.

[@Johnwenn1]

Well done Good clear video and description

[@WolfgangRhys]

Really nice review! Thank you for clearing some things up.

[@chrisuk441]

Nice review, short and sweet and too the point..

[@thra5herxb12s]

You also need to get some shark fishing hooks and some 450 pound breaking strain wire trace, and place that around whatever you need to protect. About 6 treble hooks should catch the scum and hold them there until you can get to them with an axe. Start by taking off the fingers, then take out the eyes. Get the scum to somewhere where they can bleed to death and wait with them until they dont scream anymore when you hack them... Never tell anyone what you are going to do ever and dont call the Police.

[@jbtr8102]

+thra5herxb12s I think I've found my new security guard :D

[@PyroChimp75]

Violence involves to much paperwork though :(

[@verofpv6152]

Im intrested in your wire hook technic, the killing part is straight forward enough, lol but how is covering a bike with shark hooks and wire going to throw itself over the dog thief??

[@simonkirby6558]

Good informative and to the point video. I have now purchased this kit myself. Thanks.

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks! Let me know when you get it all setup!!

[@_OZAV_Intnl]

... as we all have some assets to protect, we have found that such lower pricetag brands today can do the equal quality job, same as the expensive ones. So the technology is leaping forward, indeed. Can you perhaps record a video, or have already a video, of the exact setup in the dashboard, for motion detection recording only, and post on your channel here, for all product users. (Same as to address what mistakes can be done with the such setup). Much appreciated and our thanks, for this video, as well. It's important and good contribution for the community, that is still available and active here :).

[@LondonsFinestSon]

Superb review sir! Looking to purchase a similar system to protect my property.

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks! Let me know what you end up getting!

[@Amare-fidem-spes]

Put 2 of these up last week I think they are OK. I bought a hard drive package.

[@dalegriffiths37]

I've just purchased a very similar setup, but with 8 cameras so this video will help alot, are the cameras still working would be nice to know thanks, great video

[@jbtr8102]

Glad the video came in handy! I’ve moved twice since posting that video but they’re still going strong 💪 They’re still being subjected to the Manchester rain too

[@g.m.5607]

JBTR is this still a good cheap setup? I’m seeing them as sannce or Annke depending on the eBay seller, also now there 2 mp 1080p cameras 🤔 . About $140 with hard drive 4 cameras.

[@DanKingZzz]

great review mate!

[@TheHalloweenmasks]

As well as downloading video footage, can any recorded footage be transferred onto a portable storage device such as a flashpen?

[@AzanAli-]

Finally convinced my dad to get this cctv setup as today someone smashed his car's window second time in less than a year.

[@jbtr8102]

Oh no! Good luck finding the culprit!! Hope they get what they deserve 👌

[@isolaster]

Great video! Thanks.

[@phillrullzXBL]

Superb review thank you very much.

[@seankissinger5779]

Thanks for a great, short, and easy to watch review. The only problem I have is that I can't view the raw footage. I think that may be a problem on my side though.

[@jbtr8102]

You’re welcome! I’ll update the link now. Let me know if it works

[@samdub]

Really good review video this mate!

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks!

[@masonwharton1644]

Do you need to connect the DVR to the internet with a Ethernet cable to be able use your phone with the set up or can you just connect the DVR wirelessly to the router?

[@craigsmithx]

On the main view, will it change from camera to camera automatically?

[@pelon4374]

How good is this system? I’m thinking of purchasing. I have wisenet but I can’t get it on my phone I’ve tried everything not even a friend of mine can’t get it on my phone and he works on these cameras 🎥

[@apgx6032]

I do not have WiFi and only an iPhone with unlimited date. Would this system still work and what would it’s limitations be? Many thanks

[@dwilliamsuk]

Great review -really useful. Thanks!

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks! Glad to hear you think so!! :)

[@antoniobennet9392]

How to set up the audio on the camera

[@xboxgamer7453]

How is this camera...any issues with the outdoor weather in Manchester?

[@error-un3fo]

Great review. I know it’s a year late lol but has the dvr got a built in wireless card or do I need an WiFi adapter or is it Ethernet only?

[@jbtr8102]

Haha no worries, I'm still around and am thinking about doing more vids! Unfortunately its ethernet only and there's no option to install a wireless card

[@joelrichardson9113]

Getting these tomorrow just wondering what hard drive I would need

[@AnonAnonAnon]

Great review! Thanks.

[@FRamirez1A]

Is the system still running without issues? Thank you so much for your time!

[@mattkrol1346]

hi i am considering buying it,do you have a lot of fouls alarms where there's no activity? i have lorex dvr and this thing even on lowest settings for motion gives me ton of videos with no activity on it?

[@jbtr8102]

I get a few sometimes, however on this one you can select small areas to turn on the motion detection. For example if you have a view of the whole garden you can just select the area around a window for the motion detection so it doesn’t get set off by the trees blowing around in the wind. Mine is pretty reliable at recording cats that pass by the window and not a whole lot else! Results may vary for you depending on your setup

[@robertnitschke89]

My annke is locked to cam3 and will not change. I think it is stuffed. Only 3 yrs old?

[@tombrook9358]

Wow this was an amazing review! I am looking at buying some myself. You said you are from Manchester I am too, I'd even go as far as saying it looks like you live on my street in Harpurhey haha!

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks, means a lot!! Hahah, not quite, Rusholm area actually :)

[@tombrook9358]

If I bought these, would you be happy to come and show me exactly how to use them and instal them? Obviously I would pay haha

[@jbtr8102]

Haha yeah sure, drop me an email on [e-mail]

[@beezohh3993]

Can you view the cameras from the app when you are away from your home?

[@jbtr8102]

Yup :)

[@mazman8343]

What's the app called

[@davidwood9044]

When in continuous record mode when hard drive is full does it remove whats been recorded and start again or do you have to sort it manually

[@gavinprosser]

good review! for £60 it seems like like a lot of kit! i was looking at one with 8 cameras for £150

[@jbtr8102]

+Gavin Prosser Thanks! Nice, this one supports 8 cameras too (although as I said in the video that may be due to a shipping mistake) so if you did get this one Instead you have £90 to buy 6 more cameras, if you wanted 8 in total :) I'd say you could probably get better quality cameras than the included ones on the other unit

[@gavinprosser]

the ones you have dont look that bad........

[@angelajammer4759]

How do you add a microphone?? Do you have a video? I’d like to be able to talk to someone at the door.

[@allenglishknives6823]

Excellent video thanks 👍🏻

[@allenglishknives6823]

I’m in the same boat, got my motorbike in the garage and am after a good cheap solution for security.

[@jbtr8102]

Sporticus 50 sad to hear about that. This system gives me some nice reassurance that my bike is still around when I'm away from home :)

[@charlesnorwich5932]

Hi Does it work without a computer to see the videos? Thanks in advance

[@johnmcard3116]

Does anyone know if its possible to bypass the HDD and simply live view via the client? I have this system ordered however won't be able to sort out a HDD for about a week.

[@stitchieRAWR]

Be interested to know how these held up, mines about to arrive tomorrow and I too will be installing them in Manchester

[@jbtr8102]

Still going strong! 2 Years now they've been subjected to the Manchester weather. Definetly got my monies worth out of them

[@crystalzaragoza650]

Thanks for video and hello from California fan francisco

[@jbtr8102]

You're welcome! Hello from across the pond :)

[@sarah-janelambert8962]

Do you know if the app will run on both Macs and PCs?

[@StepByStepStudio]

So just to get this straight as I'm not a very tech savvy person. The cameras connect and record to the DVR box, which you then connect the DVR to a computer to be able to view/change settings, and then you just download the app for remote viewing am I right? Thanks in advance.

[@jbtr8102]

Correct apart from the computer part! You do not need a computer, the DVR is like a computer itself. You plug a monitor and mouse directly into the DVR and change the settings that way

[@StepByStepStudio]

JBTR Awesome thanks for the reply!

[@neil5502]

great review!

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks!

[@riazhekim3853]

Hi mate I have bought this system but in the dome version they are 960p I wanted to purchase the same cameras. As yours I believe they are 720p can I use this on the same dvr thanks

[@deanj6969]

Question can you add any HDD, I have a spare 2 Tb seagate an external one can I plug this in if so how ?

[@Western-Ranger.]

Hello sorry to trouble you. How do I power the cameras up please? There are two power cables one for the main unit and only one for two cameras. Am I missing something?

[@jbtr8102]

Haha yes that got me too, you should find a short cable that has one input and two outputs, if you plug that into the power cable there'll be enough power connectors for the two cameras

[@joshravenscroft669]

I’ve got exactly the same but I’m not getting that software you have and everyone else seems to have. Mine is iVMS-4200 which is hard to use when guides use the software you have. Where do I download this??

[@sparowhawk5634]

Thanks for explaining but one thing I didn't understand Do I need buy hard drive or how it's recording?please help

[@mikeware-lane1347]

yes you need a hard drive to record. There are two options buy a unit without a HDD and use for live viewing only and add your own HDD when you want to record or buy a unit with the hard drive already fitted if you want to record

[@bjames6225]

Helpful...thank u

[@tomtesmer3603]

Can I hook this to the internet and view on my iPhone? I don’t have Ethernet close by, so I was going to use an airport express as a bridge and use that Ethernet connection. Don’t know if that would require some sort of IP configuring?

[@jbtr8102]

Yes you can! I'm not entirely sure how your setup is so I can't guarantee anything however I believe I have a very similar setup with the DVR plugged into a router that is plugged into the main router with internet. It didn't require any configuring for me, but with multiple routers IP clashing may happen and may require configuring if you're unlucky!

[@riazhekim3853]

Hi mate great video I am considering buy this this kit would the annke dome camera be the same quality as your cameras thanks

[@jbtr8102]

I imagine they might be but I can't say for sure as I don't have them!

[@Mad109R]

Thanks for this review very helpful.

[@jbtr8102]

+Jimbo Thanks!

[@VoeViking]

Brilliant review.

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks!

[@jblondon1327]

Good review. Thank you. Did you drill through the cavity wall or window frame? And if so what drill bit you need? 10mm?

[@jbtr8102]

I drilled straight into the brick and used the included plastic inserts and screws included. I think I used a 5.5mm bit. Just make sure its a slightly smaller diameter than the insert

[@rudiarendse8597]

Can you setup the system without a Pc and just using the mobile app?

[@euanbenaron7201]

Can you recommend a compatable wireless solar camera pls?

[@euanbenaron7201]

@A I thanks for info much appreciated. Will have a look for independent cloud based one

[@Amare-fidem-spes]

I put 2 of these I'm happy .

[@paulex9000]

Can this be hooked up with wireless cameras through wifi router to Server router/internet and wifi cameras

[@jbtr8102]

Yeah, I managed to get some IP cameras hooked up with mine

[@MadMoneyBeats]

Can you plug the dvr into a tv via the hdmi and live view from there?

[@jbtr8102]

Yup!

[@dave1secondago]

great review man

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks!

[@T1Cybernetic]

Now that you've had them for a while how are they holding up? Just curious ;) I've been looking for something cheap to replace an older ANNKE DVR that's just failed :( Figured for the price I might as well just grab something similar to this one plus a couple of new cameras :)

[@kaimana9583]

My aunt wants me to install a CCTV system for her but she lives 2 hours away so don't want to have constantly go to her house if there's an issue. Is it possible with this system to remotely adjust settings over the internet? Also how many hours off footage would this system record on a 1TB hard drive with 4 cameras running 24/7 ?

[@kenalpha3]

Yes, if you use the correct program (PC or APP or sometimes browser) that lets you login Admin, and change the settings. (Each brand/app is different. But I can do it thru PC on mine - to do remote settings.) For me it's easy, I right click on the live display of the camera (that belongs to another house), and go to settings > either camera color settings or the main DVR settings.

[@meliecasa1620]

Hello, I could not catch the last few seconds of yr voice recording,something that came FREE? I was wondering if possible to add audio on 1 camera for example...( when you show at the back audio in/out output...what does this mean?) have they got that audio option or compatibility? I was also looking at Sansco System would you know how those two compare? Thank you...I added my 'like' to yr video already :) Melie

[@jbtr8102]

I was saying "the app and pc client are free" :) there is an option for an audio input on the box but you'll have to buy a microphone for that (to plug into the audio jack on the back). I've never heard of that other system so I wouldn't be able to compare the for you sadly. Thanks for the like :D sorry it took me so long to get back to you!

[@PAULSMITH1967]

just purchased, can you use the wifi {mobile phone} without having internet at home cheers

[@jbtr8102]

Not really sure what you mean by this! If the dvr is not connected to the internet you won’t be able to access it via the internet

[@skycamvideo]

Also can you set it up to record over and over when hard drive gets full over the old video ? Thanks

[@jbtr8102]

Yup! That's what mine is doing at the moment 👌

[@gdenterprises4756]

does a light come on, on the camera, when it is working and set up?

[@jbtr8102]

When it's dark enough you can see a red glow from the infrared LED's, there's no lights apart from that

[@riazhekim3853]

Hello mate do you know if a cooling fan can be installed inside the dvr as I can see the dvr gets quite hot

[@jbtr8102]

Mine manages to stay at a reasonable temperature even though I've got it in a place where all the vents are blocked! I wouldn't say a fan is necessary but if you did want one in there it would probably squeeze in if you got a small one or you could strap it on the outside to push air through the vents.

[@rdrdjeepable]

After initial setup... can you configure and completely control it remotely? or do you have to do things, like add users at the console itself? Thanks!

[@jbtr8102]

If you download the hikvision ivms program on your pc you can control most of the remote settings from there and download footage remotely too. The app however pretty much only allows you to view the video feeds and nothing else

[@rdrdjeepable]

@@jbtr8102 thanks for the quick reply! And the info!

[@skycamvideo]

I'm after getting a 2 camera cctv setup. Does it need to be connected to a pc or just a mouse and monitor ? How long are the leads to the cameras ? Thanks

[@jbtr8102]

You just need a mouse and monitor to setup the system. Around about 18m if I remember correctly!

[@polly5819]

Hi, ah sorry I deleted them comments? I connected to a monitor and nothing came on the screen, the power button kept flashing on the monitor and the DVR wasnt showing that the HDD was reading data, that light was off? I was getting a headache by the end of it. Not sure if I bought the wrong HDD so thats going back now. It was a Seagate ST3500312CS SATA Hard Drive 500GB from Amazon. It was smaller than the one you showed in your video and only reached the terminals. Will look for a simple one to buy thats not too technical lol thank you for your replies.

[@jbtr8102]

Hi, assuming the dvr was powered and plugged into the monitor with HDMI with the monitor on the right input you should have seen something regardless of if there was a hard drive or not. Sorry it didn't work out for you, hope you get some sort of system up and running soon!

[@Colm692]

If you chose to have the cameras continuously recording 24/7, what happens when the hard drive is full? Will it re-write over the old recordings or do you have to do that manually?

[@Colm692]

Also, does this need to be plugged into a separate computer in order to record?

[@jbtr8102]

+Colm I believe it starts overwriting the old footage however you can choose what you want it to do once full! I.e send you a notification, stop recording, overwrite the old stuff. Ect :)

[@chinwahlover]

Will the night vision work behind glass? I need to keep my camera behind a window.

[@jbtr8102]

I haven't tested it but it's likely that it might not work. The night vision works by shining infrared LED's as the light for the camera to see, if there is glass it will probably reflect off that and leave you with a big white blob in your image. Kinda like taking a flash photo through glass I guess. That being said, if it was right up against the glass it may work, but I can't say for sure.

[@ryanh3285]

Good video , I'm about to order this kit with 2 cam's and dvr do i need to order a particular type of harddrive?it looks quite easy to install thanks to you're video.Cheers

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks, any hard drive will do. I just chose the cheapest 1tb on amazon to keep costs down!

[@stalinflores2197]

Hello, I connected the cameras and seem to be running fine, however, I enabled the system for mobile notification and it sends me alarms every second. I changed the sensitivity level from middle to lower and then to higher and it continues to send me notifications even when leafs are blowing. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[@jbtr8102]

I think you can select areas of the image for the alarm to work on. Try excluding the trees with that and hopefully you'll get a lot less false readings

[@riazhekim2054]

Hi I thought someone told me I can’t do mobile push notifications how did you do it can you help Stalin Flores

[@riazhekim3853]

So would I be able to use the 960p and 720p cameras as the same time with the DVR thanks

[@jbtr8102]

You should be able to as long as they have the same coaxial connector

[@samsen201]

So about 9 months later and may I ask how the cameras are working? Anyone dead from Manchester's rain? How do you reassess the system at this time? Have they help you catch anything of interest? As for your next video, how about adding a PTZ camera to this current system? Thanks and good job.

[@jbtr8102]

9 months later with a lot of rain, snow and hail and surprisingly both the cameras still work with no issue at all! I haven't had to touch the DVR at all either. I did actually submit some footage to the police as there was a break in down the road, not sure what the result of that was though unfortunately. Maybe it's a good deterrent but my bike hasn't been touched since installing them! I'd stick by my original opinion which is very decent for the price, but it wouldn't hurt to have higher resolution cameras. Good idea, I'll look into them!

[@VV-wl8gb]

Great review! Can the DVR be controlled locally through a browser? I want to avoid the "cloud id" and just manage it through my laptop rather than a mouse and a monitor attached to the DVR. Thanks!

[@jbtr8102]

Thanks! I believe you can have some simple controls by controlling over a browser but there’s a lot of things you can’t do. It is more of a setup once and never touch it again thing though so wasn’t the biggest deal for me! The main thing is that you can access the footage via the internet (if you want it to be), it is however of course accessible by the internet at that point!

[@VV-wl8gb]

Thanks for the reply @@jbtr8102. I read comments that the web interface is super buggy and only works with some outdated IE versions. Also people were saying that from there you can download only a very low resolution video. Is this true in your experience?

[@jbtr8102]

I use a windows client, not through a browser to access the dvr. From there I can download the full quality videos as seen in the link in the comments! It requires a bit of setting up but works well once it is! Check this link out: help.annke.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000252441-How-to-use-computer-software-to-connect-the-system-locally-and-remotely-

[@polly5819]

Well I have given up trying to set this system up? Am sending it back after having it two weeks trying to install the damn thing. I followed your advice but nothing is working and even managed to get the software on my laptop but then then I was way over my head trying to work out how to get the camera and DVR to work on my screen. I spent £25 on a HDD for nothing so if your a true techie person you may be able to set it up but for me its too complicated. Thanks for your advice.

[@jbtr8102]

I'm sorry to hear that, did you try plugging the DVR into a monitor not your laptop so you can set up the network settings? This is an essential step that needs to be done before you can connect to the DVR over the network. What happened to your other comments? I was writing a reply to one and they suddenly all disappeared?

[@dfshjb44]

You need to plug the hdmi cable into a tv or monitor. I highly doubt your laptop has hdmi in, only hdmi out.

[@paddyschannel217]

Hi pal - what type of hard drive do I need for this system?... and where can I get one? Cheers Pat

[@kenalpha3]

I strongly recommend you get Network grade harddrives = Western digital "Purple" (their drives are color coded - purple means for high intensity read/write - which is what you want for a camera system). Easy to find on Amazon. Seagate also makes these drives, but I never used them. The Western digital website also has a day calculator - you estimate what type of cameras you have, how long to record per day - and it tells you which TB drive to get. 1 TB isnt very good. Get at least 2 TB for these old cameras. And 4 - 8 TB for newer HD cameras.

[@eddyz67]

can u put it on continuous record and motion detection at the same time

[@jbtr8102]

+bogey man Hi, it is possible set one camera to continuous record and another camera to motion detection if you'd like, that works perfectly! :)