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== By Other Names ==There are other units by other names, which may even have a different looking front face, which have the same internal board and software. * ANRAN 4 Channels H.264 4CH DVR CCTVThis is a very competitively priced security DVR and there is a reason for that, it is stripped down to only the very fundamental features. The unit ships without a hard drive and an underpowered AC adapter. Once set up, the unit is capable of high quality H.264 recording of up to 4 cameras, one with audio. H.264 is the best possible choice for video codecs. The problem begins with configuring the unit. The remote control is limited and confusing. A mouse needs to be connected to do anything more useful. There is no sensible “rewind” built into the remote control. The playback search feature is barely functional. There is no way to manually delete a particular recording from the list. Audio / Video sync problems are present on long playback of recordings from a camera with a microphone. Some positive points to this product include the ability to remotely program it from a web browser. It is also possible to monitor live camera feed over a network connection from within MSIE, with camera audio. Timer record configuration and audio monitoring is only possible using Microsoft Internet Explorer on a PC. Only basic viewing of camera video can be done from other browsers or mobile apps (Android and iPhone.)This is a very competitively priced security DVR and there is a reason for that, it is stripped down to only the very fundamental features. The unit ships without a hard drive and an underpowered AC adapter. Once set up, the unit is capable of high quality [[H.264]] recording of up to 4 cameras, one with audio. H.264 is the best possible choice for video codecs. The problem begins with configuring the unit. The remote control is limited and confusing. A mouse needs to be connected to do anything more useful. There is no sensible “rewind” built into the remote control. The playback search feature is barely functional. There is no way to manually delete a particular recording from the list. Audio / Video sync problems are present on long playback of recordings from a camera with a microphone. Due to the unrefined nature of this Chinese product, which seems as though the software just was never “finished,” as well as it being shipped with an underpowered AC adapter, it is difficult to recommend purchasing it. Unless you are really limited in budget, spend more money and get a finished DVR product. Due to the unrefined nature of this Chinese product, which seems as though the software just was never “finished,” as well as it being shipped with an underpowered AC adapter, it is difficult to recommend purchasing it. Unless you are really limited in budget, spend more money and get a finished DVR product.To playback a recording you have to first do a search for the recording you wish to play. Enter a time and date range to help locate the recording you are looking for. To view all security camera footage from a particular camera on a particular day, the search function helps to narrow down the list of available video footage.In order to view a complete list of all recordings saved on the DVR simply enter a date range beginning with a year that predates installation to a year in the future and click search. This will bring up a list of every video for a particular camera, or all cameras, saved on the DVR.It is recommended that recordings from the security camera be broken into 1 hour segments. This helps facilitate locating a particular camera archive from your security monitoring.Individual day, or hour recordings cannot be isolated and deleted with this system. This is a foolish limitation that is likely due to the unrefined or incomplete nature of the system software. The oldest recordings are automatically deleted by the system based on disk usage. Reformatting the hard drive can be used as a means to clear all archival camera footage.== Hacking ==This device is a CCTV DVR that is designed for that purpose. Although it can be used for other purposes, there are likely better alternatives for those other purposes. There are actually better alternatives for the purpose of being a CCTV DVR also, however, that is discussed in the review. If you have one of these Vonnic units laying around, and you like to tinker, then by all means see what hacking you can do with this little Linux based embedded solid state system.'''Unsupported by the Manufacturer Uses''' - There are things that you can do with the Vonnic DVR-C1104SEFD which are beyond the manufacturer intended functionality. Two possible uses of interest to hackers are:* Streaming video server - As a streaming server this product does a good job at streaming audio and video to any client using MSIE. Hook it up to your home cable box so you can stream to your office computer or dorm.* Broadcast Television DVR - This can be used to behave as a traditional old school VHS VCR to program to record broadcast television programs while you are aware so that they can be viewed later. It is a nice alternative to paying your cable provider the monthly DVR tax to use their DVR. * Macrovision Free digital recorder - convert those old Macrovision copy protected VHS tapes you have laying around going bad to digital format. Input must be interlaced (not progressive scan.) If archiving from a DVD player configure the player to output interlaced to the composite port or the DVR will display a yellow pscan indicator on the screen.This unit is capable of the above things, however, not an ideal choice. Although, in some cases, it might be the best choice you have depending on your region and budget. These things are not supported by the manufacturer.