ZMODO surveillance systems dvr Junk and weast of time port saint lucie, Florida

I am really sorry to hear about your experience with these cameras and dvr.

We have had them, and by them I mean 2 - 8 camera systems, working flawlessly for over 2 years. We did not cheap out on a hard drive for the units we purchased 2TB Western Digital hard drives, and all of our cameras have worked flawlessly, even through the the winter of 2013-14. Both systems are right out of the box, we did use heat shrink on all external connections but as far as the balance went, it was plug and play. 

Some of Zmodo dvrs don’t allow you to backup video in an avi format so it is still in the H.264 format which is a Linux format.  To view those files on a windows computer you will need the playback player that comes on the mini cd with your dvr.  Some cds also have a tool to convert the files to avi so you don’t need the program.  If you have lost your cd then you can download a new copy by going to files.zmodo.com and then choosing software discs and user manuals, software discs, dvrs, and then choose the sku number that is your unit.  If you don’t know which one is yours flip the dvr upside down and you will see the sku number on the white sticker.  Also, if you need further help or have questions you can call phone support at 217-903-5674 Mon-Fri 8am to 8pm central time.

If you go to the zmodo.com website it says 24/7 chat support, Monday through Friday 8am to 8pm central time phone support.  All emails are answered within 24 hours.  There is no option for call back support unless you call the company first.  There is remote assistance but a tech will not connect to your computer unless you call phone support first. The phone support line receives about 500 calls per day so there is a wait time since it is a free service.  If you need phone support, call 217-903-5674.  Most clients that have had other security dvr/cameras systems before tell us that we have much better phone support then their previus company did since most security companies only have email support.  I would recomend anyone who reads this information to not take my word for it but check the zmodo.com website and the reviews on amazon.com.  The reviews can't all be wrong.

This is what I tell my customers all of the time. I have replaced these systems many of times and I agree these dvrs and cameras are cheap! If you are going to spend the money, why not do it the right way? I know these systems can cost a lot of money but when it comes to the security of your home and family why leave things to chance. A 4 camera system should not cost any less than $350 and that is for the lowest one. Just do your reasearch and if you really have questions call the pros we are more that happy to give you some advise.

Stealth Security and Surveillance, Inc

Port Saint Lucie, FL

I also purchased a Zmodo NVR recorder and wireless cameras. After many nights of frustration in trying to set the system up I tried to get help from the company. Their website claims they have 24/7 tech support = remote assistance, email support, customer phone call back support - all lies! I have tried all forms of their support systems - no response from the company from multiple emails, online support, phone call back, and their remote assistance (which tells you are connected and in a queue for assistance) is non existent. 14 hrs later and I was still in the queue.
The system looks easy to set up. The instillation guide details how to set the system up but tells you nothing about what to do if one of the multiple steps do not work.

Buy something else and save yourself the time and trouble you will get with this junk!

I got my Zmodo 4 camera system from woot.com with the stipulation that I had to go purchase and intall the hard drive myself.
o I'd get it incredibly cheap even after the drive pruchase, but I had to learn how to install a hard drive.
The 4 cameras and the DVR was $120, and a 1TB high-durability drive cost me $70 (any new 1TB drive is about $50, but I got one that is made for a security system that is constantly running).
So $190 total, and guess what? Hard drive are wicked easy to install!
I had figured that this unknown-to-me brand had gone under and left product around to be unloaded, but I've seen the same system recently at new egg.
Still, I think Zmodo is not an example of long term asian buissiness stratagys. I think it is on a Kamakazi mission to make some money and disappear.

It is allmost all working great, with over a month of 24hr/day recorded security for 4 channels at all times. I just flip my TV to AV1, or my bedroom computer works on the router.

What doesnt work is the rediculous "engrish" manual, although it makes me laugh (at the japanese for this shamefull failure to comunicate even basic ideas).
Even my guru freind couldnt get the internet feature working because of lack of a manual and lack of support or instructions at the website.

Another thing that probably works, but not without instructions is the exporting of video sections to a USB thumbnail. I can get the file, but I cant find anything that plays it. So what good is it?
Still, for this money it is fun. I am surprized how well the LEDs light thing up at night. I am thinking of putting more money into IR illuminators for my distant driveway, and I'd love a good pan-tilt and zoom camera dome. Lots of stuff in the world simply hooks up and works with this.