After several DVRs failed here at my work, I decided to look elsewhere for replacements, as the original units were expensive to replace. I tried 1 first, and liked it so much I bought 4 more to replace all of them on the campus! They were super easy to configure, plugged right up and recognized all of the existing cameras, and connected to the viewer app by simply scanning a QR code. The value for the money is incredible - they do everything a unit that costs 5 times as much does. I might get an extra just to have on hand in case lightning takes one out in the future. You can't go wrong with these!

I have owned 3 home camera systems over the last 20 years. I held on to the first system for over 12 years until the company changed and my app stopped working. The second system for about 4 years but I never really liked it and the last system for about 4 years and the time was always fast and had other issues. The Annke out of the box is my favorite, and i'm just getting to know it. I love the price. Setup took me a few minutes but I now have remote access and everything is working correctly. Based on my experience on day two I recommend the purchase. I only replaced my DVR because of the time issues, but I'm very pleased with the replacement. Update 1 week later. The system is by far the best that I have ever owned. I only purchased the DVR and I'm using 8 very old cameras and the system is outperforming my ring cameras hands down. I now hate i every waited to replace my other system.

My night owl dvr broke and I had bad experience with customer service, but thats not the purpose of this review,I found a $60ish 5mp lite item and wanted to give it a try to keep my cameras rolling.Overall the unit is easy to setup, fit every purpose of my purchase, (just replace your HD, connect your cameras and you will have video in no time).But why not 5 stars?The motion sensing setup is not accurate, difficult to fine-tune, on the other hand it has two advance features, line-crossing and intruders... but only work on two cameras. It looks like the unit doesn’t have the power for more cameras.Update: the motion settings improved with a 5MP camera, now allow for false alarm filtering activation.Firmware is more advance, and newer than the 4k unit for this brand (double the price). Weird, I thought that investing higher budget you will get a better unit... wrong...Playback videos.To review your videos have a feature to review only motion and or smart moves like line crossing.This is ok, but the videos will create a ghost effect... you will see a car or person that overlaps on the video and disappears within a second... quickly you realize that it is a portion of the previous video or event.. it looks weird and it is probably a software issue...Frame rate is also low, again the unit doesn't have the power to keep a 5mp at high frame rate, (I think the max is 12 to 15), my setup is at 3mp with 20 fps, if you want 30fps you need to setup your video at 1080p... lower the quality for better frame.Frame Rate goes up to 12fps with a 5MP camera and settings, up to 20fps with a 4mp settings.Maybe thats the reason they name the unit 5mp-lite....No issues with the phone app, works better then night owl...I will continue searching for the true replacement of my original dvr unit. (This brand have good options)Again the 4k unit is not currently up to my expectations..... it will give you better frame rate at 3mp and 5mp but 4k is at 12fps. But the overall software is bad and old for the 4k dvr version...

If you’ve been searching for a next-level security system that combines cutting-edge technology with bulletproof reliability, the ANNKE 3K Lite H.265+ Security DVR Recorder is the fortress you need to protect your home or business. This 8-channel hybrid powerhouse isn’t just any security recorder—it’s a technological masterpiece, offering AI-powered human and vehicle detection, crystal-clear 3K resolution, and a compression system that delivers efficiency without compromising quality. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or someone simply seeking peace of mind, this DVR delivers a flawless, future-proof solution to all your security needs.Let’s start with the 3K Lite resolution—it’s nothing short of amazing. The clarity and sharpness of the footage are next-level, offering a resolution higher than standard 1080p, meaning you catch every detail, day or night. Whether you need to capture faces, license plates, or subtle movements, this DVR ensures that nothing escapes your watchful eye. It's like having eyes in ultra-high-definition, ensuring you miss absolutely nothing.But the real magic? AI-powered human and vehicle detection. This isn’t your average motion detection that triggers every time a leaf blows by—this is intelligent detection that differentiates between people, vehicles, and irrelevant motion. It focuses on the things that matter most, drastically reducing false alarms and ensuring you're only alerted when there's a legitimate reason. Whether it's identifying an unfamiliar face near your property or monitoring vehicles coming and going, this feature provides precision-level security, eliminating the hassle of constant, unnecessary notifications.The 8-channel hybrid capability is another standout feature, allowing you to connect a wide variety of cameras—both digital and analog—giving you incredible flexibility to expand and customize your security network. With ANNKE, you’re not locked into one system; instead, you have the freedom to build the perfect surveillance setup tailored to your needs. This hybrid nature also makes the system future-proof, so you can upgrade cameras over time without needing to overhaul the entire system.Now, let’s talk about the H.265+ compression technology. This wizardry allows you to record high-quality video while saving up to 80% of your storage space. With H.265+, your hard drive won’t fill up quickly, meaning you can store weeks or even months of footage without needing to constantly delete or back up files. This kind of efficiency means less hassle for you and more focus on what really matters—your security.The user-friendly interface of the ANNKE system is the cherry on top. The setup is incredibly intuitive, even for those who aren't tech-savvy. Connecting your cameras, managing footage, and configuring alerts is as easy as 1-2-3, whether you're accessing it via your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Plus, the remote viewing feature allows you to check in on your property from anywhere in the world, giving you 24/7 peace of mind, no matter where life takes you.In conclusion, the ANNKE 3K Lite H.265+ Security DVR Recorder is an absolute game-changer in the world of home and business security. Combining AI-powered detection, crystal-clear 3K resolution, hybrid flexibility, and unmatched storage efficiency, this system doesn’t just watch—it protects. Whether you’re safeguarding your home, office, or commercial property, this is the security solution that leads with intelligence and precision. With ANNKE, you’re not just installing cameras—you’re building an impenetrable shield of security around everything you value. Welcome to the future of protection!

I bought this to replace an old system that had stopped working. I needed an 8 camera system similar to the old one. i took the hard drive out of the old one and installed it. plugged it in to my cameras and started it and up. everything worked perfectly. I also like the fact that it was able to connect to my onvif cameras too. the interface is easy enough to follow and a firmer update was applied as i logged in. i use ivms software with it and it works great via this on my mac/ios/android devices. i tested the alarm/detection facilities and i'm pleased with the results.. it appears to be more accurate than the older £300 system that to replaced. the backups are working to my NAS system and internet connection is great for my needs... might get some new cameras for it as some of the cameras are beginning to show their age. I might upgrade to an 8+4 camera system by annke if its anything like this one.

I have tried many "cheap" dvr units, and they ALL fell short, this unit does the job and then some, has not let me down and worked straight out of the box, setup mobile viewing easily and the app is very nice and simple. I had multiple different brand cameras and i plugged them all in and this Annke dvr unit picked them all up instantly. Dont hesitate to buy this like i did, dont buy the other rubbish brands, just save your self the time and money and buy this unit. Excellent product and price.*Also to note, another reviewer said there was no on/off power button, this is by design as most dvr units don't have an on/off power button incase the power goes out or cuts off at home/work, when the power comes back on or resumes, the dvr unit also turns back on and resumes recording without having to wait for someone to "remember" to turn it back on. You could have lost all that footage in that time, this will just pickup where it left off.*

Bought this to replace an existing DVR which had failed. Swapped Hdd into the Annke device and a couple of clicks later was ready to rock and roll. ***You should follow the user manual guidance to set up successfully as it can require some more in-depth knowledge to navigate through setup options as could be the case with many CCTV DVR makes.*** The ‘Annke view’ software is great on mobile phones and tablets, really impressed with how seamless is works and loads immediately, picture quality is quite good dependent on which settings you adhere to and spec of cameras you have installed... a lot of detail and options both on the unit and in the software also. Video compression at higher rates available and many options to access the unit over secure network setups. Overall I’m really impressed with how it works when set up and cracking value - works with all my existing analogue 1mp cameras, would buy another!!!

It works great out of the box as replacement for Hikvision one that suddenly called a quit. A bit pricy compared to other competitors, but overall happy with quick setup, apps that just works, motion detection (an upgrade from previous DVR). A very quiet machine.

very simple to set up, no issues