ANNKE WS300 3MP Wireless Camera System, 8 Channel 5MP Wireless NVR with 4Pcs 3MP Weatherproof IP Cameras, Compatible with Alexa, 100ft Night Vision, Smart Motion Alerts, 1TB HDD Included

Purchased (2) 1080p ANNKE NVR WIFI IP Camera systems with extra WIFI cameras to install in my brother’s house and his external garage/barn at the top of the hill replacing an older LOREX 960H CCTV DVRs with LOREX 960H and WIFI cameras with dedicated WIFI receiver modules.The ANNKE system comes packaged with extra items like a (4) port USB 2.0 bus adaptor which makes up for the single USB port on the NVR. An external antenna for either the NVR or a camera. A HDMI to VGA adapter, because the NVR only has an HDMI port. Alone with the typical items an HDMI cable and mouse.Each camera comes with its own power adapter, which provides plenty of power. Since my brother didn’t want too many holes in the house, we had to extend the camera power cables. I had to use a higher wattage power adapter on one camera install to compensate for load loss using 125 ft of power cable. The camera had 2 bars of WIFI connection strength at the NVR with a week signal notification. The voltage at the camera measured about 10.9 volts. The lower supply voltage affects the camera’s WIFI connectivity. So, we purchase a 12v 3A power adapter, and the camera is working fine. Using the external antenna had no change, because the voltage drop affects the cameras WIFI connection.Using Ethernet power line adapters connecting the NVRs to the routers enabled us to position NVRs in the house and barn to provide the best reception between the cameras and NVRs. Remember, idea WIFI connection is “line of sight.” HVAC duct work and brick will reduce and greatly impact the WIFI signal between the camera and NVR.History of my brother’s system: The LOREX WIFI cameras came with their own separate dedicated WIFI receiver modules to match up with to the specific camera. So, there was no need to pre-configure camera WIFI settings or assign IP addresses to match your network IP subnet/addressing. The system was easy to install, and the signal strength for all cameras was great. One camera is installed on a small shed that sat about 50 yards from the barn and house (picture a triangle). All worked great, and my brother liked it. However, with all things, nothing last. The Lorex cameras randomly locked up, to clear you needed to power reset the camera. It was a known bug for that LOREX WIFI camera model. Lorex came out with a newer WIFI camera model that didn’t have any hung issues, but still only provided 960H resolution.The ANNKE WIFI NVR IP Camera system is more complex, and if you need to add additional WIFI cameras or change IP subnet, you’ll need to connect each camera directly to a PC or laptop to reconfigure IP addressing for each camera associated to the NVR. What I liked, the ANNKE WIFI NVR IP Camera system comes pre-configured for easy installation. The cameras are setup with an IP subnet address, and all (4) cameras were already mapped and configured to connect to the 8 CH WIFI NVR.The remote Apple and Android APPs worked great using ANNKE cloud connection. The APP layout is a little cumbersome, however, I’m familiar with the awkward layout, because it’s very similar to other named brand camera APPs. We are planning to setup up remote access via a DDNS service with a specific HOSTNAME over the upcoming HOLIDAY.Remote viewing system using web browser:Interned Browser IE 11 has live view, but no option to change between Mainstream and Sub Stream. Not compatible with Google Chrome – you’ll only get a static view with no functions.The web GUI layout in IE is okay and provides some – not all security camera parameters. Majority of the settings are accessed locally at the NVR. It comes with the good features like email alerts, area trigger, and push notification to the Mobile APP. You can add the “Two Way Audio” WiFi camera (AU-I41GF0103) to monitor the Front door. I have many pics of the system, but only could upload a few. Ping me if you have any questions or want to see more pictures.I gave this system 4 stars, because it can be too complex for the average home user to install based on your home/small business network infrastructure, and the APPs are cumbersome. Small changes in your home/small business network, can makes things complex. Then you’ll need to be IT network savvy person to perform the install. It has some lag in the video but my brother loves it. Very clear image day and night. Can’t go wrong with this 1080p WIFI system.