Question 1

Is this system wireless ?

Accepted Answer

no. 
kit includes 4 video/power lines approx 60ft length each. power is fed from powerpack at/near dvr. check advertised product specs for exact lengths and electrical requirements.

Question 2

Sorry, I don't understand all the numbers in the product description. My bike was stolen right off my driveway so I'm looking for a decent, basic system. I'm between this one and the LaView LV-KDV0404B5B. A friend said the LaView has night vision. Does this Zmodo have that?

Accepted Answer

It does have night vision.  And, the quality is not bad.  All, affordable systems have the same level of quality and night vision abilities.  The cameras have infra-red L.E.D.'s in them which help with the ability to operate in darkened conditions. None of them have "True" night vision.  Total darkness will be totally dark some distance from the cameras.  Also, you will need to add a hard drive if you wish to record what the cameras see. So, be prepared to spend extra money on a "DVR rated" hard drive.  $50 or so will get you more record time then you will need.

Question 3

i am buying the zmodo kds4 surveillance dvr kit and western digital 500gb memory.  is this all that i need for the cameras to work and record, or do i need to buy anything else?

Accepted Answer

I purchased this system about a month ago and the 500G western digital drive to go with it. The drive installation was a breeze, took only about 10 minutes. After formatting, the drive worked perfectly and I had the system up and recording very quickly.

Within a short time I had all four cameras connected and was able to access the DVR  on my local network which gave me access to the cameras.

With very little effort I was able to configure my router and the DVR so that I could access it from anywhere outside my local network as well.

Question 4

What do I need in addition to this item to record and view what the camera sees,  kit, cables, ??????

Accepted Answer

You need a DVR quality hard drive to install - it doesn't come with one.
Nothing else other than the skills to get the wires run through your walls, etc....  That's the most challenging part I think.

Question 5

do i need an internet connection for this?

Accepted Answer

Internet connection is optional with this DVR its only needed if you want to connect to it remotely through another computer or phone. You will need a hard drive and a moniter to view the cameras other than that its pretty much ready to set up out of the box.

Question 6

can i use an old computer as hard drive?

Accepted Answer

you can use a standard computer harddrive in the Zmodo box for storing the video

Question 7

Can you view cameras while in use on you tv and recording?

Accepted Answer

This unit produces video output to a VGA monitor (the D connector) and composite video (the BNC-type video out connector) at the same time. I primarily use the vga monitor to view the cameras, but at the same time I have the BNC output connected to the composite video input of a left over glass-tube TV in another location, so both show what the cameras see. Normally I leave the settings on "display quad camera view", but using the mouse or the remote, you can click on the square in the quad view for the camera you want and it goes to showing that camera full screen - click again and it goes back to quad. There should be a setting from the menus where you can have it display each camera view full screen as it goes through the four views in sequence, but I watch a visitor entry point when our staff is present so we need to be able to see all the views at once. From the ethernet port you can view and playback video without stopping the recording, using a remote computer. Also, if you go to a thrift store, you can get RF modulators for 2 to 3 bux to convert that composite video signal to channel 3 or 4 of the old standard and make use of even your oldest obsolete TV as a monitor (remember all of those small portables we use to enjoy - you did not toss them out, did you? (grinning). No worries, thrift shops and your kid's grandparents still have some left you can snap up. Those old PC-based video capture boards, VCR's and the rest can all be used with the BNC composite video output if you want to. Be sure to use an attached VGA monitor and mouse to set and control the system, as that seems to be the easiest to use and every setting can be managed there. I have purchased several ZMODO systems, killed one when the hot location it was in reached 105 degrees last August - cameras and hard drive were not hurt, so put the HD in another one bought on sale from NEWEGG and kept going. Cameras are composite video output so you can also use orphan cameras without the DVR.

Question 8

Does this record audio also?  I want to use this to record an office environment and I'd like to hear what customers and employees are saying (and keep it recorded as well).

Accepted Answer

yes, however a microphone must be purchased for each location desired (not included), and a suitable power source at that location or an additional power line or a audio/video/campower/micpower 4-line cable must be purchased seperately. any 12vdc unit can be split at the camera power lead connector, but this may reduce camera function and could void your warranty. compatible good quality mics can be purchased for very low prices.

Question 9

What voltage is required for the camera and what is it's source?

What size & type of conductors are required?

Must it be shielded?

Accepted Answer

The camera voltage and current are provided by a small transformer provided with the kit. The kit comes with a 50' cable for each camera. If you need longer cables they are standard and are available from many different vendors. The cable consists of audio and video in a shielded jacket.

Question 10

Can I use a memory stick to record or can i connect to a tv and record with an old vcr? Or is the only way to save images with a hard drive?

Accepted Answer

The only way to record is using an internal hard drive, but once you have the recorded footage, you can use the USB stick to transfer your data.

Questions & Answers