HiLook 8 Channel DVR with Built-in 512GB eSSD Storage

The HiLook DVR-E08G-B is the HiLook 8 channel eSSD DVR, with 512GB of storage built in at the factory and 480GB of it usable for recordings. You do not buy or fit a hard drive, and there is no hard drive bay, so the storage is fixed: it cannot be added to or swapped. It records eight HD coax cameras plus two IP cameras of up to 5MP in 1080p Lite at 15 frames a second, uses H.265 Pro compression, carries sound over the coax on all eight channels and draws 6.2W or less. Alectra supplies the recorder only.

What's in the box

• 1 x HiLook DVR-E08G-B 8 channel DVR with built-in 512GB eSSD (480GB usable)
• 1 x 12V DC power adapter for the DVR

Cameras, cable, the camera power supply and the screen are bought separately.

Built-in eSSD or a hard drive?

Take this one if you want an eight camera system recording without buying a drive, and 480GB is enough for how far back you need to look. If you want to choose the drive yourself and be able to upgrade it, the HiLook 8 channel Turbo HD DVR takes one SATA hard drive of up to 4TB, not included. For a smaller system there is the 4 channel DVR with 330GB eSSD or the 4 channel Turbo HD DVR, and for up to 16 cameras the 16 channel DVR with 1TB eSSD. This 512GB recorder is also the one in the HiLook 8 channel CCTV kit, together with eight 2MP bullet cameras, a Hikvision power supply, 100m of RG59 cable and the connectors.

Recording and storage

The recorder saves every channel in 1080p Lite, HiLook's reduced 1080p mode, at 15 frames a second, and H.265 Pro compression keeps the files small. 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 how many cameras are connected and how much movement each one sees. Recording on motion only, instead of all the time, makes the storage last longer.

Cameras, sound and smart detection

The eight coax inputs take HD TVI, AHD and CVI cameras at 1080p or 720p, plus analogue (CVBS), so you can mix the HiLook 2MP bullet, the ColorVu bullet, the dual light bullet with built-in mic and the indoor turret dome on one recorder. Two IP cameras of up to 5MP connect over the network on top of the eight coax cameras. Sound from cameras with a mic comes down the coax on all eight channels and plays out through HDMI; audio recording is off by default, so switch it on in the recording settings. Motion Detection 2.0 sorts people and vehicles from other movement to cut false alarms.

Wiring, power and viewing

Run RG59 cable with a power pair to each camera, with BNC crimp connectors on the video and a DC connector on the power pair. The Hikvision 8 channel CCTV power supply gives 5A in total across eight outputs for the cameras. The recorder runs on 12V DC at 1A from the power adapter in the box and draws 6.2W or less. A monitor or TV goes on the HDMI or VGA output (both at once, up to 1920 x 1080), and a CAT6 network cable from the RJ45 port to your router gives you phone app viewing. The system is installed by your installer; Alectra supplies the equipment only.