tommyarmour wrote:I ordered my unit the same day as everyone else on the 4th. And I just got tracking on Friday the 11th saying it wont be delivered until the 16th of NOVEMBER. Woot tracking and shipping is horrible. I live in Oregon.

Me too I live i n Oregon and it said on the 16th

Tracking number showed up friday november 11th... delivery date says november 14th... Bonner Springs, Kansas.

I received my tracking information 9 hours AFTER it showed up on my door step :-/

Box was waiting on doorstep 11/11 when I got home from work (4-ish). Tracking email received about 9 PM that night...

I got my order on the 11th, tracking info afterwards as well.

Opened it up, plugged it in, flipped the switch and nothing happened. Tried my own 12v power supply and still nothing...

That's 2 for 3 electronic devices I've bought from woot that didn't work out of the box.

if anyone out there is still waiting, just got mine.... bonner springs, ks.

I received mine today. There are a few problems though:

The admin password is not listed.
*edit it is 666666, thanks abe231

I can't set record to anything other than 352 x 288. Specs on the page say it can record at NTSC: D1(704 x 480).

EDIT* For the iphone, I followed these directions, http://www.zmodo.com/3g-mobile-iphone-devices-installation/#mate3. Use the username "user" and password "123456" Make sure the U is lowercase in "user".

Any help is appreciated, I will post what I find.

admin password is 666666.


i can watch it from my network computers, but i can't from external. even with ports forwarded.

abe231 wrote:admin password is 666666.


I can watch it from my network computers, but i can't from external. even with ports forwarded.

Thank you, much appreciated.

I haven't tried outside my network yet.

I've tried changing the setting from the remote DVR software and directly through the DVR to no avail. I also tried lowering the FPS in case that was a limiting factor. No matter what I try, only the CIF option is shown.

*edit* Installed hard drive and tested recording. I tried everything obvious and video files are 352x240.

Th0r wrote:You can set it to capture at 480 lines. However, it reduces to 15 frames per second.

*Edit* This is FALSE, you cannot set it to capture 480 lines.

Here is what I see.

http://people.virginia.edu/~mc8qr/zmodo.jpg

reply from woot, "Please note the referenced video resolution is for video playback only, not for recording on the device:"

Just got off the phone with Zmodo tech support, its confirmed that YOU CANNONT change the recording resolution to anything higher than CIF.

vjl wrote:I'm quoting myself. Sad.

For those interested, it appears you can install the free ZoneMinder program on this unit, which makes the software a LOT easier to use! See http://www.zoneminder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18137 for more info.

That link is not about installing ZoneMinder on the box (oh, how awesome that would make this thing), but it is about using another system to transcode the stream into something that ZoneMinder can handle.

That said, I've tried this and I can never get it to establish a connection to the DVR

filichino wrote:Just got off the phone with Zmodo tech support, its confirmed that YOU CANNONT change the recording resolution to anything higher than CIF.

Ugh. I wonder if they can explain why they put the higher rez in the specification?

Salvage plan: time to toss the this excuse for a DVR box, call it a deal on the cameras alone and build my own ZoneMinder server.

I followed mdwyerfoo's advice and ordered the $14 4-ch PCI card: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/4-channel-dvr-video-capture-pci-card-for-25-30-fps-security-cameras-15758

so to be clear, the dvr can only record at CIF but can display higher?
I thought I read in an earlier comment that you could get zoneminder to use this dvr as a video source over the network (like as an ipcam) - would that then allow zoneminder to record at the higher display resolution instead of the dvr's low native resolution? If that's the case, I'd just throw a linux VM on my esxi machine and have it grab the data as a network camera. Any input would be appreciated.

ah - so as to be a helper and not just an asker

http://www.zoneminder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18137

Mine's still a ways out, and even then I've got pneumonia so won't be playing with it for a bit.

Anyone interested in trying the above? I'll do it as soon as I'm able but it may be a while...

akula169 wrote:
Salvage plan: time to toss the this excuse for a DVR box, call it a deal on the cameras alone and build my own ZoneMinder server.

I was thinking that, but for the same price you can order a pair of much better cameras. I really wanted the DVR, and ironically, was thinking to upgrade the camera's as needed. It is deceiving that they quoted:

"Record Resolution: Selectable: NTSC: D1(704 x 480); HD1(704 x 240); CIF (352 x 240) / PAL: D1(704 x 576); HD1(704 x 288); CIF (352 x 288)"

The other salvage plan is to throw in a hard drive and hope you can sell the unit to break even.

Woot, where every sale is a potential B⁠⁠⁠O⁠C:

"We are not infallible, and therefore we do not warrant that product specifications, pricing, or other content on the Sites is complete, accurate, or error-free."

cyberey66 wrote:I was thinking that, but for the same price you can order a pair of much better cameras. I really wanted the DVR, and ironically, was thinking to upgrade the camera's as needed. It is deceiving that they quoted:

"Record Resolution: Selectable: NTSC: D1(704 x 480); HD1(704 x 240); CIF (352 x 240) / PAL: D1(704 x 576); HD1(704 x 288); CIF (352 x 288)"

I feel scammed. The other salvage plan is to throw in a hard drive and hope you can sell the unit to break even.

*edit* If I can't sell this, I'll work on getting it to work with zoneminder...

thanks for the update. At least it looks like the resale value makes it fairly painless to buy, play with for a few weeks, then boot on craigslist or something. I've got plenty of spare hd's around, I'll just stick one in there and sell it for 200

Wondering if my network card is broken, or if anyone else is having issues getting the unit to get an ip address when plugged into the lan.

It looks simple enough, but never establishes a link.

lvennard wrote:Wondering if my network card is broken, or if anyone else is having issues getting the unit to get an ip address when plugged into the lan.

It looks simple enough, but never establishes a link.

DHCP is not enabled by default. Go to the network setup and double check the DHCP box is checked, then unplug and replug the network cable, the IP will show on the screen. I will confirm that I successfully had an IP auto assigned.

I have not received my cameras or a conformation. Is anyone else still waiting?

You might be able to use firmware from another manufacture. They probably use the same hardware. But you run the risk of killing the DVR.

If you can find any of the Q-see products that use the same hardware, the firmware is posted here:

http://www.q-see.com/support/dvr-center.php

*edit* this one looks similar, I can't find any information of anyone using another companies firmware though. http://www.q-see.com/products/security-product.php?ProductId=267

Some people claim the ability to record at higher resolution at a lower frame rate. Does anyone here have that ability? If so, what is the version of your firmware? Maybe this is a software issue and we can enable higher resolution recording at lower frame rates. I'm still waiting to here back from zmodo and woot but I doubt either will respond.

fierostetz wrote:ah - so as to be a helper and not just an asker

http://www.zoneminder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18137

Mine's still a ways out, and even then I've got pneumonia so won't be playing with it for a bit.

Anyone interested in trying the above? I'll do it as soon as I'm able but it may be a while...

I'm actually working with Phoenix84 to get support for our DVR built into his program. It doesn't work as it stands today. I'll update here if progress is made.

cyberey66 wrote:You might be able to use firmware from another manufacture. They probably use the same hardware. But you run the risk of killing the DVR.

If you can find any of the Q-see products that use the same hardware, the firmware is posted here:

http://www.q-see.com/support/dvr-center.php

*edit* this one looks similar, I can't find any information of anyone using another companies firmware though. http://www.q-see.com/products/security-product.php?ProductId=267

Hrm. Yeah - looking at the manual, the interface elements are very similar, which leads me to believe they are built on the same software platform which in turn leads me to believe it may be the same hardware platform. Guess I should crack open the case again and see what the embedded platform is...

Who's gonna be the guinea pig?

akula169 wrote:Hrm. Yeah - looking at the manual, the interface elements are very similar, which leads me to believe they are built on the same software platform which in turn leads me to believe it may be the same hardware platform. Guess I should crack open the case again and see what the embedded platform is...

Who's gonna be the guinea pig?

For a different DVR, but the same idea is posted here. http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=27441&p=170565&hilit=firmware+dvr#p170565

I'll take a look at mine when I get home tonight.

cyberey66 wrote:For a different DVR, but the same idea is posted here. http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=27441&p=170565&hilit=firmware+dvr#p170565

I'll take a look at mine when I get home tonight.

Glad that the thread's proceeding in a more positive manner :P

I for one am eagerly awaiting mine so I can see how it really is; worst case scenario, I'll get the experiencing of setting one of these up, right?

I bought the 16 channel version and it will arrive today. It's a bummer you guys cannot get it to record at a higher resolution. I think I'm probably stuck that the CIF resolution as well.

I got a kguard 8 channel/8 camera DVR/security system from I think Tiger direct and I bought a Night Owl for a friend and guess what? They are the same DVR. Only the outer casing is different, but the inner casing has the same stamping.

See my comments here under "GaryH":

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=81-377-019&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo

The forum board for the 16 channel Zmodo system is gone. I wonder why?

Anyways, if the hardware is the same, that's a good sign.

Edit, looks like this one,
http://www.dipol.ie/cctv/dvrs/network-dvr-atu-h-264-4ch.html

Opened the case, the board says:
2304b_v1.1

checking the unit through the menu:
firmware version: 7.01
hardware version: 7938
release date: 2011.08.12

Plugged mine in- remote's busted

Should I be able to do all configuration without the remote? Haven't figured out how to bring up the menu.

fierostetz wrote:Plugged mine in- remote's busted

Should I be able to do all configuration without the remote? Haven't figured out how to bring up the menu.

You can do it with the mouse. Right click brings up menu, password is "666666"

I can't upgrade the firmware to another manufacture's version as it gives errors. This is probably a good thing as I'd likely brick it, but it means we are currently stuck at CIF resolution recording...

I am done with Woot, I didn't realize their terms and conditions protected them from false advertising. They are cheaper than almost anything else but it's not worth it if you received something you wouldn't have purchased anyways.

I got my 16 channel zmodo system tonight.

I checked all the camera's work (8 of them). One initially did not work (everything was dark, but I could see specs of light - had to power it off and back on to fix it). Otherwise, looks like it works great. My kit comes with the 6mm lens. How about the 4-channel one? What is the diameter of your lens?

I also opened up the system and noticed that I can install up to two drives in it and the bios supports it, but the doc does not mention you can do it. There are two power cables and two data cables and the bios has status for up to two drives, but yet the manual only mentions installation of a single drive.

Overall I'm happy with the unit. Only resolution/format it can record in is qif

garyhgaryh wrote:I got my 16 channel zmodo system tonight.

I checked all the camera's work (8 of them). One initially did not work (everything was dark, but I could see specs of light - had to power it off and back on to fix it). Otherwise, looks like it works great. My kit comes with the 6mm lens. How about the 4-channel one? What is the diameter of your lens?

I also opened up the system and noticed that I can install up to two drives in it and the bios supports it, but the doc does not mention you can do it. There are two power cables and two data cables and the bios has status for up to two drives, but yet the manual only mentions installation of a single drive.

Overall I'm happy with the unit. Only resolution/format it can record in is qif

So I spent some time playing with it. I honestly can't figure out how cif resolution is going to be useful, I can see things happening but never be able to identify a person. I've ordered a 4 channel DVR card for one of my SFF pc's and I'll try zoneminder. I think I'll keep the cameras and sell this DVR on ebay or something, unless someone here wants it. I'll play with it throughout the weekend.

Maybe I'm dumb, but I am having a heck of a time navigating the recorded footage, what a PITA! I think I've got it set to record on motion only, but it takes so long to try to play back footage that I'm just guessing.

Well got mine working and spent a day routing wires from the cams to the DVR.

After 24hrs I lost a cam (No Signal Blue screen)
Then the remote has quit working. If I point the remote at the cam I can see it blinking so the remote is working just not with the DVR.

Not sure what to do now. I am not tearing off my siding to remove the wires so I can RMA it.

I'm lost.... anyone have any ideas?

fierostetz wrote:So I spent some time playing with it. I honestly can't figure out how cif resolution is going to be useful, I can see things happening but never be able to identify a person. I've ordered a 4 channel DVR card for one of my SFF pc's and I'll try zoneminder. I think I'll keep the cameras and sell this DVR on ebay or something, unless someone here wants it. I'll play with it throughout the weekend.

Maybe I'm dumb, but I am having a heck of a time navigating the recorded footage, what a PITA! I think I've got it set to record on motion only, but it takes so long to try to play back footage that I'm just guessing.

my Manual Says I can record up to d1 resolution, but the menus drop down only has one setting: cif. Weird to have a drop down with one value so I think if I can another firmware I can get the extra resolution... But that's just me speculating.

the main mother board is tiny! Probably the reason it can only handle cif resolution.
Gary

garyhgaryh wrote:my Manual Says I can record up to d1 resolution, but the menus drop down only has one setting: cif. Weird to have a drop down with one value so I think if I can another firmware I can get the extra resolution... But that's just me speculating.

the main mother board is tiny! Probably the reason it can only handle cif resolution.
Gary

They are said to use the same hardware, look at the link from my post a bit earlier. The link shows the same board layout, at least for the ports, and states it can record at D1 at a lower framerate. What annoys me is that it was advertised to record D1 and only records CIF.

For specs, the PCB was made by ShenZhen cookhangFa PCB and the batch number appears to be 94V-0.

The board has "2304B V1.1" silk screened on the front, no company branding.

Zmodo should post the firmware or at least the source code, as it is based on software licensed under GPL.

I have been sending one email a day to their tech support, no reply yet. I tried flashing with a firmware from a different company, that is using what I believe is the same board, but it won't let me. When I have time this weekend, I'll pull the heat sinks off of the chips and see what they are.

One more thing, please go to system info on the system and post what is there. Some users report D1 being an option. I have *NO* drop down menu to select CIF. You appear to have one. Zmodo probably has DVRs shipping with different firmwares. We just need to find out who the OEM is and see if we can get firmware from them.

dapopolos wrote:Well got mine working and spent a day routing wires from the cams to the DVR.

After 24hrs I lost a cam (No Signal Blue screen)
Then the remote has quit working. If I point the remote at the cam I can see it blinking so the remote is working just not with the DVR.

Not sure what to do now. I am not tearing off my siding to remove the wires so I can RMA it.

I'm lost.... anyone have any ideas?

did you remove the plastic film from the IR reciever on the DVR?

i just googled that part number
and it came up with this

http://www.volta.com.pl/produkty-pliki/1709_VEDVR2308B_Manual_VEDVR_2308B.pdf

There's also this DVR
http://techvisionjilly.en.made-in-china.com/product/sbUnDFBLLScI/China-4CH-LCD-All-In-One-DVR-TV-2304B-.html

that appears to use the same board. Still digging.

lisa2177 wrote:I have not received my cameras or a conformation. Is anyone else still waiting?

Same here. Guess I need to email service@ and see what the holdup is.

Th0r wrote:I have this. Got it from woot a few months ago. I put a 1.5 TB disk in it.

I can access it using a web browser. Firefox does not work, requires IE.

I can also access it using my ViewSonic tablet I got from woot. I use an app called "IP Cam Viewer Basic" by Robert Chou. You must configure each camera, so if you get the 16 channel model (see previous post) it could take awhile!

Which hard drive did you use...exactly? Are they all the same? That is, can I use a HD from a PC? I am just not sure which one to get. Thanks