Hi all,
I just created an account on this great forum so I can partially confirm maxum's issue...well, not quite an issue, but more a specs-related thing.
To backup maxum's issue, which is basically written in the specs: this NVR only has 80Mbs/80Mbs incoming/outgoing bandwidth and this is why connecting high Mp cameras may cause issues while playback or recording. Based on Hik's recommendations a good bit-rate to record files @ 5Mp resolution would be at least 16Mp/10-15fps, so who wants 25-30fps @5Mp cameras should choose either a lower bit-rate (although, during the night that's not a very good option), either choose a low-fps (5 to 10fps), either look for a faster NVR (160Mb for example). Anyway, @16Mbs web plugin will most likely not be working if main-stream is choose, so either you'll need to choose the sub-stream, either you'll need to watch an HDMI monitor connected to NVR. BTW, 5Mp resolution will be down-scaled by the NVR to 1080p anyway and some details will get lost; from experience, the 1280x960 images look more resolving than 2560x1920 on my SONY 52" 1080p TV; also tested on IPS HP 24" monitor and got the same results.
To make this short:
- you need [16Mbs (8x2048Kbs)] L.E.: 8Mbs - 8x1024Kbs for the sub-stream, so you can remotely see all the connected cameras from your mobile phone or tablet, via Hik's streaming portal;
- the remaining 72Mbs need to get divided to the attached cameras; in my case 72/8=9Mbs per camera (based on Hik's recommendation I may not be able to use 1080P resolution with 8 x cameras @25fps connected; perhaps for 10-15fps will do, never tried).
Anyway, I'm using with success 8 x DS-2CD2052-I 5Mp cameras, but I've settled down to only 1280x960 resolution because:
- 1.33 (1280/960) is the native aspect ration of my cameras, so I can only use 1280x960 or 2560x1920, otherwise I get image cropping & zooming and instead of a 70 degrees horizontally field of view I can only remain with about 60 degrees (I really need the widest possible setting, so choosing this resolution was a no-brainer for me).
- I can use 25 fps or even 30 fps for file recording and for viewing too (for 8 cameras, 5 Mp resolution is not an option for this NVR).
- With motion-recording enabled and all 8 cameras having the motion stream setup @ 8192Kbs/VBR/highest-quality settings, on 4TB I will have overwriting at about 18 weeks; yes, it will store my files for about 18 weeks then will start overwriting...kinda overkill, I know, but that's it...I already have 2x2TB HDD installed inside and I can't change that.
- Playback is decent via the web plugin (tested on Windows 7 @ IExplore and OS Sierra @ Safari), but for CBR of 4Mbs or more is struggling to playback, so either I choose 640x480 (the sub-stream) that works great, either I choose 4096 Kbs VBR that does a good job. Also, while watching the sub-stream (640x480) I can manually choose the main-stream for some camera and I can watch in details the image.
Oh, not to forget, with H.264+ enabled (default setting) playback is better, but when H.264+ is disabled playback is sometimes not so smooth. I always need to keep H.264+ disabled because it smudges edges and details, especially nightly.
My conclusions: this NVR has a price/quality ratio that fits my need and I can recommend it to those that are comfy with my review from the above. If all settings are done well then this NVR should be fine for most of those that need home/office surveillance.
Regards,
Raul.
L.E.: Downloading files through web interface was not working for me. I need to use the iVMS for Win or Mac to download the files. Also, iVMS for OS Sierra is not able to do playback yet, but can download the files if you know the exact timeline (at this moment iVMS for Mac is fully compatible with El Capitan, but not with Sierra).