HiLook 8 Channel CCTV Kit: 8 x 2MP Cameras, 512GB eSSD DVR and Cable

This CCTV kit is the middle size of our three HiLook kits. It puts eight HiLook THC-B120-PC 2MP bullet cameras on a HiLook DVR-E08G-B with 512GB of eSSD storage built in, powered by a Hikvision 8 channel power supply, with 100m of RG59 cable with power, 16 BNC connectors, 8 DC plugs and 8 junction boxes. That is twice the cameras of the 4 channel kit on the same 100m of cable, about 12.5m per camera, so measure your runs before you order. For more than eight cameras, see the 16 channel kit. Monitor not included; your installer fits the system.

What's in this CCTV kit

• 8 x HiLook THC-B120-PC 2MP bullet cameras
• 1 x HiLook DVR-E08G-B 8 channel DVR with 512GB eSSD, with its own 12V power adapter
• 1 x Hikvision DS-2FA1205-C8 8 channel power supply
• 1 x 100m roll of RG59 cable with power
• 16 x screw type BNC connectors
• 8 x DC plugs
• 8 x junction boxes, one per camera

No monitor is included. The BNC connectors are the screw type, so they go on with a small screwdriver and no crimping tool is needed. Spare screw type BNC connectors and DC male connectors are sold separately.

Planning the cable runs and power

Every camera has its own run of RG59: the coax core brings the picture back to the DVR and the power pair takes 12V out from the power supply. Each camera uses two BNC connectors, one at the camera and one at the DVR, and one DC plug at the camera, while the power pair lands on the power supply's terminal block. A junction box behind each camera holds the joints. With eight cameras on one 100m roll the average run is only about 12.5m, which suits cameras mounted close to the DVR. Measure every run from where the DVR will stand, and if the total comes to more than 100m, add another 100m roll of RG59 with power.

The Hikvision DS-2FA1205-C8 has eight outputs at 12V DC, up to 1A each, but 5A (60W) in total, so all eight cannot draw a full 1A at the same time. For this kit that is not a problem: a THC-B120-PC draws at most 2.1W, so eight of them need about 1.4A. The power supply has over current, short circuit and over voltage protection and a cable length switch (12V, 13.5V or 15V) for long runs. It has no weatherproof rating, so it goes indoors with the DVR.

The DVR and its 512GB of storage

The DVR-E08G-B is HiLook's 8 channel eSSD recorder. Its 512GB of storage, 480GB of it usable, is built in at the factory, so there is no hard drive to buy or fit. There is no hard drive bay either, so the storage cannot be added to or swapped. It records at 1080p Lite, a lower resolution than full 1080p, at 15 frames a second, with H.265 Pro compression, and Motion Detection 2.0 sorts people and vehicles from leaves and lights to cut false alerts. HiLook's datasheet estimates about 2 weeks of recording with eight cameras at the default settings, as a guide only; the real figure depends on the scene and how much movement there is. Besides the eight coax cameras it takes two IP cameras up to 5MP. A monitor goes on the HDMI or VGA output, and a network cable to your router lets you view the cameras and play back footage on the Hik-Connect app.

It can record sound over coax from cameras with a mic, such as the HiLook 2MP dual light bullet; the bullets in this kit have none. To choose your own storage instead, the HiLook 8 channel Turbo HD DVR is sold without a hard drive and takes one drive up to 4TB; it is not part of this kit.

The cameras

All eight cameras are the HiLook THC-B120-PC, a 2MP 1080p Turbo HD bullet in a plastic IP66 housing that works from -40°C to 60°C, so it can go on an outside wall, under an eave or on a pole. They are the same cameras we sell on their own as the HiLook 2MP Turbo HD bullet, with a 2.8mm lens and a 92° horizontal view. At night Smart IR lights the scene up to 20 metres in black and white and dims for anything close to the lens. Digital WDR and backlight compensation keep a person in front of a bright gate from turning into a silhouette. The 4-in-1 output (TVI, AHD, CVI, CVBS) matches HiLook and Hikvision Turbo HD DVRs; the cameras do not work with NVRs and run on 12V DC only, with no PoE.

Not included, and supply only

Add a monitor or TV with an HDMI or VGA input and its cable, a network cable and a router with internet for phone viewing, and a tool to strip the coax. There is no battery in the kit, so to keep recording through load shedding both the cameras and the DVR need backup power, which your installer can add. Alectra supplies the equipment only; the system is installed by your installer.