ANNKE 3K Lite H.265+ Security DVR Recorder with AI Human/Vehicle Detection, 8CH Hybrid 5-in-1 CCTV DVR for Surveillance Camera, Supports 8CH Analog and 2CH IP Cameras, Remote Access (No Hard Drive)

I've been using it for a year without any issue. It's a great DVR that works as it should. I have both, Analog and IP cameras (with a POE switch) running in my setup. I also have some older cameras, some newer ones, of different brands and different resolutions, but the DVR handles them all and they are all working fine.

Bought a recondition hdd on ebay for $80...Super easy to install and I'm good to go. My old Swann dvr went belly up. This saved me some money...

Works great

I have tried other brands (won’t name them here) that were simply useless (unable to stop hundreds of false alarms, detection failures, etc.). With this DVR I was able to eliminate nearly all possible false alarms and still get 100% detection, real-time email/text notifications and event recording. The DVR records 30 seconds prior to and 30 seconds after an event and can send real-time email/text with multiple pics from the most pertinent images from that time range; which pretty much perfectly catches what you need to see to determine exactly what happened (i.e. who came to your door, etc.). You can remote live view any one or several cameras simultaneously from the mobile and PC app. Reviewing event history is straight-forward by simply jumping to tick marks on the timeline or searching for specific events on specific cameras. You can even view events with up to 2 cameras synchronized side-by-side (which is really handy for seeing people/vehicles entering one camera’s view and then moving through to another). The UI appears better than most (nice graphics and easy to navigate). However, setting up the system takes an inordinate amount of time due to lack of useful common defaults (i.e. you spend a lot of clicks setting options for each day of the week for each camera—so lots of repeat this for 7 days x 8 cameras = 56 windows to click through to set the most common “do this always” setting). Several things (like configuring event triggering/recording and configuring event scheduling) are confusingly in separate places and easily missed. For example, you set up a bunch of event/alarm triggers but forget to also go to a separate menu section and set up the recording schedule and then nothing happens—leaving you confused and frustrated. The manual is better than most but there is still some poorly worded and badly documented features (like pretty much all of the Recording Schedule section of the interface). Making this worse, some of the features in this section simply don’t work (I worked with their support (which was very responsive) on these issues so hopefully they will fix this). Perhaps the most useful feature of this DVR is its ability to detect what they call “VCA Events”. This allows you to set up things like “line crossing” where you can draw a line and then specify that an alarm should trigger when something crosses the line in one direction, the other direction, or either direction. You can also trigger on “people gathering”, “loitering”, “object removal”, “parking”, “unattended baggage”, “facial recognition”, etc. I find that the “Line Crossing” feature is the ultimate way of eliminating false positives associated with the more common block-area motion detection. When you block out an area for motion detection (most DVRs support this), you can never really eliminate false positives from shadows, bugs flying near the camera, sprinklers, clouds, car lights, etc. Detecting “line crossing” means that something has to actually move across a line (like your front door step) as opposed to just set off a square somewhere in front of the camera. This eliminates 90% of the false positives. I set my system up to record on both motion and VCA events but only send emails/texts and audible alarms on VCA events (so I over record for historical info but only alarm when something really happens). Alas, you can only set up one VCA event (fixing this would make this a truly stand-out DVR). So I end up using the VCA event for the most important camera (e.g. the front door) and then limit the motion area and turn down the sensitivity for the other cameras to limit the false alarms there. When setting up block-area motion detection, like all other DVRs, you will have to play with the motion sensitivity to get it right. For me, setting the sensitivity to 1 works for detecting motion that is within 5-10 feet of the camera. Try 2 to detect motion within 15-20 feet and 3 or more for further out. The higher you have to set the sensitivity the more false alarms you should expect. Also, when setting the motion area, limit it to as few squares as you can. Try setting them all on then watch what actually triggers with different sensitivities set (you will likely be surprised). Then remove any areas you really don’t need. This will greatly reduce your false alarms. Bottom line, the hardware works. There are some bugs with the software and there are some UI issues (hopefully they will fix these in an update). Still this is the best security DVR I have tried. It has more features than most and it works. For what it costs, you can’t beat it. ** UPDATE (2019) ** While this is still the best low-cost security CCTV DVR system, analog security systems are all but obsolete now. Unless you have analog CCTV (i.e. coax) cabling/systems already in place, you are much better off investing in a digital NVR system. Your best bet is to go with wired POE cameras and a quality NVR like Reolink or Amcrest. The low-cost NVR systems tend NOT to have all the triggering features (line crossing, loitering, etc.) and will still cost you more than a CCTV DVR system. But, the ease of use, higher resolution, app independence and future proofing is worth the extra cost.

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!

Begin forwarded message: Kyle , absolutely the worst UI i have ever encountered, try to configure a camera and select A4 as an example, make the a selection Motion, then go to Video tampering the UI goes back to A1 . Ridiculous, if you are not paying attention you are actually working on A1 parameters. This should not happen, very confusing makes configuring the system confusing. Issues with false alarms, I am sure if i beat it up enough or basically don't enable these features I won't have another problem ,but what's the advantage of having a dvr with AI , or plate reading , much less then other features. Now I am understanding that even though support both on the phone and online give instructions as to how to delete footage , i am now being told I have to reformat the complete hard drive, absolutely ridiculous couple that with the lack of any documentation either as an e manual or written one makes this system less than favorable. Your phone support Vania was spectacular but the system its self is severely lacking. Take for example the email setup , no where does it tell you that you have to make a passkey rather than a password , took me several days and only got through this with the help of Vania. Even she had to search the web and found someone on You Tube that figured this out ,again no help form any manuals. For these reasons , i am going to return this useless DVR for lack of better wording, on the plus side its a nice unit but its operational functions are severely lacking. If you have no further solutions , its going back to Amazon and I will be purchasing a different brand.

Straight forward installation. Tip: Use the HD power cable provided by Annke. I tried using the hard drive power cable from my old system (night owl) that resulted in a flashing green power LED and black screen since the hard drive would not power on with non-annke hard drive cable. Video stream and playback is easily shared on local devices.😎 I took one star away since the Annke DVR appears to display ground loop interference when connecting to legacy cameras. Not a big deal since you can get replacement cameras for under 20 bucks on sale that seemingly don't have ground loop issues. Or maybe try a filter. The bad picture shows what ground loop interference looks like on camera 5. The better picture shows newer camera input 2 on the same Annke DVR system. Update 12/08/2025 - Correction. Bad picture was corrected by replacing the 12VDC power supply. Annke rating changes back to 5 stars.

Had old Samsung system thar just worked but b=needed upgrade. This system works but features like search are kludgy, some functions don't work, and many are disabled. Get what you pay for

Fonctionnement simple et efficace

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.*

Easy to work with the product. The initial setup was fast, straight-forward and the 2TB HDD that I used in it, was recognised straight away. Also, the user interface is very friendly with the new software version. I bought this DVR of Amazon after initially buying a 4Cameras Annke CCTV system of eBay that has proven to have a faulty DVR. Or at least I couldn't make it to recognise the HDD in the kit or any other HDD I have tested. All in all, I am happy with the product. It does the job and the app connectivity is more than useful, especially if you need remote access on a daily basis.

For the low price this unit is superb. Way cheaper then the older unit it replaced and it works much better. Would not hesitate to buy again. Very easy unit to operate.

I own a 4 channel DVR which is getting on for 10 years old so decided to replace it and at the same time upgrade to 8 channels and benefit from some new features. Several other customers have purchased CCTV equipment from hong kong and china and I must agree that the instructions are of no help. Having said this the DVR is straight forward to set up once you have purchased the hard drive you require for the unit. I went with the 2TB hard drive to allow for more than enough memory and to record at a higher fps. Once the hard drive is installed and you've connected all of your cables simply switch on the unit and it sets itself up apart from the basic time and date information. I purchased the Sannce DVR fully aware that I wasn't going to get the best on the market for my money and wasn't expecting the best. The resolution is adequate but almost impossible to see faces unless they are directly in front of the camera. My previous DVR produced much clearer images than this newer model. This DVR is excellent for home or small office use but don't expect crystal clear images. Although I use D1 cameras this unit will only produce 300X275 images (CIF quality) This model includes a lot of features but please be aware that although it has an HDMI connection it does not provide HD quality pictures, I was aware of this when making the purchase but just wanted other to know they won't get HD quality. Now, the unit takes a little while to get used to and does have a lot of features. There is a handy QR code to connect your mobile but you will need to provided 'port' to access the DVR from outside your home network. You will also require you own IP address provided by your ISP. There are several videos on YouTube which will show you how to set all of this up. Additional features such as USB back-up and PTZ cruise control are very handy. I have only had the unit for two days so will update if there are any changes. Overall this is a very cheap basic unit with a lot of features and ideal for anyone starting out on the road to CCTV for their home or office. Please be aware that if you're spending out on high quality CCTV cameras you won't benefit from the quality using this DVR!