Hikvision DS-2CD2442FWD-IW 4MP 2.8mm IP PoE Indoor IR Wireless WiFi Cube Camera with WDR – English Retail Version

I home security camera system with using a Hikvision NVR and built in Hikvision cameras. I wanted to get one or two more to cover a few additional areas, but since I didn't have an Ethernet drop wires at those locations (and didn't want to bother with fishing wires) I thought I'd give this a try.I initially hooked it directly into my network via ethernet cable, and I configured the wifi via web browser. Then I disconnected the ethernet cable. There was probably a way to look up the IP address, but I forgot to check while I was configuring it, so I just used an IP scanner on my desktop and it found the camera. I added it to the NVR manually via the IP address and it worked and verified that it was recording. You can also just type in the IP address into your web browser if you're on the same network and see a live picture.Initially when I connected it to the NVR the alarm was constantly going off. I had to search the internet and there was a setting for "Alarm Linkage", and I had to turn that off. Apparently any motion detected on any camera was setting off the alarm. Once I turned that off it stopped going off. Also I called PoE Depot the Amazon seller I purchased from, and while it took an hour or so someone called me with technical support, but by then google had solved my issue.I like that it's portable, I've unplugged it and tried it in a few different locations. Each time it automatically connects up to the NVR again just fine and resumes recording.Picture quality is very good and clear. I'm overall not a fan of any camera's night vision, but I think it's actually pretty good on this one.Overall I think like all of the Hikvision products it's not the most user friendly to setup, but once you get it going the performance is good.I will also verify that I got a US retail box version of the camera.

Back ordering another one. Received the US red and white box version (PoE Depot). As others mentioned this model is not on the Hikvision website yet though similar older "Cube" models are. Hikvision seems to use a unified firmware that works across most models so I was able to update the the latest version 5.4.5_170123.Camera offers a lot of options. Fixed mount interior to your NVR. Go mobile with WiFi and the power adapter. Slap an SD card it in and record without an NVR, lots of vehicles have a 110 outlet in them so you even use this as a dashcam or record away from home.I did have a little issue getting it connected to my NVR. In this case I have the unit connected via LAN cable POE to my network. My NVR is a random no-name unit, it did not have some of the higher video resolutions. The camera wouldn't show video until I turned the video down to 1080. I compared the setting to those on my Hikvision dome. This camera has two settings higher than 1080 but they aren't the same the dome. See pics. I have a Hikvision branded NVR on order and I'm curious to see if it has all the options for both. That said the video at 1080 is excellent.As see attached for how to configure Firefox to allow the web component plugin to work. Mega Kudos to the people who figured that out.

This is a high quality camera loaded with features and appears to be a legit hikvision product (not gray market) from POE Depot seller. POE Depot is an excellent seller and I also recommend them for the purchase. The resolution and clarity is excellent and the IR is one of the newer types that has very good range. I definitely don't have any issues recommending this product. I'm using it with synology Surveillance Station as a ONVIF device and it works perfectly (model number not officially supported by SS yet). However there are two points that I've struggled with.The wifi range appears to be limited. It does not have an external antenna and stays connected 95%+ of the time but the two of these I own will both drop of the network from time to time . This will be completely dependent on your installation and most people will probably be running these on POE, but it's worth mentioning that the lack of external antenna does appear to affect it's WiFi reliability.The PIR motion was much less effective than I was hoping for. It seems to trigger a few times a day with absolutely nothing there. It's a nice feature that every camera should come with but just understand that even PIR detection is not without false positives. It's still better than most image motion detection mechanisms.

Of all of the home automation, security, and other wireless devices I have ever purchased (and that is a significant amount of items), this is far and away the very worst. When you read that if is "difficult" to set up, please don't believe them - its far worse than that. If you have a Mac or even if you would like to try to read instructions that make sense in the English language, then this isn't for you. HIK should be totally embarrassed to sell such a thing.As you read in other reviews, "one star because I can't give it a complete zero."