Swann Red Alert DVR detects movement
February 7, 2008 by colbert low
Filed under Announcements, CES, Household
The pocket-sized RedAlert contains several sophisticated security features that are housed in a sleek, compact, but striking red exterior that measures a mere 3” x 2”.The DVR can be connected to either a wireless or wired security camera, or both at the same time. Once the RedAlert™ detects movement, recording is triggered. The unit can capture either AVI videos (10 seconds each) or JPEG photos via a built-in 16MB memory and an external SD card slot. SD memory cards are sold separately from RadioShack, with a 2GB card able to store up to 28,800 images or 4,380, 10 second AVI videos. Available exclusively at Radio Shack stores for $149.99
Red Alert, sounds like Command and Conquer. Is it able to connect the computer? 10 seconds of AVI each recording? It would be difficult to view those recordings if I wanted to find something. Wouldn’t it be better to have it connect to computer and utilise the disk space and the memory card serves as backup storage in case of computer failure?
Great idea, disappointing results. The basics look good but there are some significant shortcomings with the kit. The unit is easy to set up and the on screen menu is easy to follow.
The amount of lead (1.5m) on the camera power unit limits locations that the camera can be set. Not such a big deal as extra lead is available as an accessory.
The camera is of only adequate quality and is listed as ‘weather resistant’ rather than weather proof so is limited to indoor applications only. and the mounting bracket supplied limits the orientation of the camera.
Quality of video or photo is limited by the cmos receiver.
Night vision is claimed to have a 30 foot range on the web site. It is probably nearer half that.
The biggest beef is the setting of the sensitivity. Too low and ‘noise’ triggers the record feature rather than movement. Sensitivity of the system to movement in general seems poor or at best inconsistent. Swann’s tech support may come come up with a solution … eventually. On the whole, this is a difficult unit to recommend.
The system is designed only
Yes! great idea, recording to SD card.
Fairly well implemented but the wireless suckes. 2.4 gig phone, wi-fi, microwave kill it. I had to move it to the garrage and place the receive antenna 2 feet from camera to get reliable usage.
Camera res seems to be low. I ordered a high res wired camera to try. Hopefully the low res is not caused by the JPG compression.
The unit makes a new folder every day abd timestamps the images.
A 2 gig SD card gives space hundreds of thousands of images.
After power fail it defaults to wireless camera 1. so you need a small UPS for relialability if you using anything else.
I have the cam mounted 9 feet off the ground and the IR night vision almost makes it to the ground.
I just pop out the SD card to review images but a video monitor of some sort is needed for setup.
It also has some delay between detecting motion and recording, often missing what trigered it.
I own a red alert; my problem is that, despite many attempts at adjusting the event rec. sensitivity, it starts to record pics. Disappointing.
I bought the Swann Red Alert Security Kit yesterday and returning it back today.
The quality is very bad. $399 is a lot for a poor product. The Res is too low.
Wireless will go about 5 metres before it starts to lose the signal. I ended up hard wiring in a high res camera. Much better. Still looking for a high res DVR with motion sensor.