Customer Reviews

SVAT PI1000 Covert MPEG4 DVR - Recording System with Built-in Color Pinhole Surveillance Camera Hidden in a Motion Sensor

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Covert MPEG4 DVR - Recording System with Built-in Color Pinhole Surveillance Camera Hidden in a Motion Sensor

This is a supper covert motion sensor little camera. Lots of modes, qualities and sensitivity to choose from in the menu. Stand alone with batteries or use supplied 12v adapter. I called Support to ask a couple of questions and the guy was unrushed and pleasant. You can paint or camouflage all but the lens, so concealment will be easy. The motion sensor is through the pinhole lens at the bottom. Plays on your TV or load to computer with card reader. The picture quality is very acceptable and in color. I'm tempted to spring for another one. Keep an eye on your vehicle or campsite while your off having fun.
Rob

SVAT Electronics Covert MPEG4 DVR With Built-In Color Pinhole Camera in PIR Sensor This Camera was easy to set up and takes just seconds however but you need a TV with digital hold in order to set it up. Which is easy if you have a TV less than 10 yrs old. I bought an old TV to try to monitor and set up several SVAT systems but it didn't work. As soon as I hooked it up to a newer TV it worked perfectly an was set up in seconds.

This video recording does not work well when I put it in continuous mode.
I wanted it to record over the beginning when memory is filled.
What happened is it will record and play back properly untill the memory is filled up. After that the screen goes blank (black) every other second. This makes it very hard to view the video. It may miss some action when you need it. It is ashamed such a good product with a bad bug.

At first I debated this product due to mixed reviews, but knew I had to at least try it. The installation is not difficult at all. If you're hands on and like tinkering with things then this is for you. The instruction book will make it seem harder to operate than it really is. One you plug it in and get it going you can easily navigate the menu screen and figure out how to get it working, but it works! As for lighting you will need to place this in a well lit area, so don't put it facing sunlight or bright light or it's pointless. At night time there is nothing but darkness because this is not a night vision ready camera. I love that it comes with an SD storage card that you can also view from your laptop computer and the quality is also clear. I tried it on Media Player on Windows Vistas and it worked, but you don't need a computer to playback. The video will play back on a t.v. if you have the audio video plug-ins, can be hooked up to the ones on a VCR, DVD, or DVR. As for batteries it's still working pretty well with standard energizer batteries that aren't lithium, but there is also an AC adapter included it can run off of. If you want to use that you need to mount the camera (mounting bracket included) close to a wall plug. The mounting bracket is not difficult to install, it has a a small circular mounting plate with three screws, plus and extended arm, which I left off and just used the swivel bracket which will tighten once you know the direction you want the camera pointing. I like the product it is on the pricey side, but well worth catching shady people, especially if you live in an apartment building where too many people from management to maintenance have keys to your place and you can't always know when they come. If the price ever goes down I would be quick to buy another one.

Bought this because someone was taking the bulbs out of garage light. Thought I knew... this proved it .. every bit from entering yard to taking bulb. Clear video, gets only the action when in motion mode. Small card holds days of video clips. Setting on next to least sensitive... it got a grasshopper who flew in front of it.. Can't say enough about the qualitiy of this camera. It also greatly impressed the deputy who saw it before suggesting the bulb stealer stay out of my yard. I had it plugged in electricity. The videos are extremely clear for at least 60 feet... and that is from inside building looking out. Can't say enough about the amazing quality.

We purchased the SVAT PI100 Covert DVR about three weeks ago when a neighbor alerted us to a suspicious vehicle in our neighborhood. We set the device for motion detection and a timer. As fate would have it we were victims of a home burglary just yesterday. The covert DVR captured both intruders in full color with clear views of their faces and even tatoos. The Sherrif was pleased as well. We would highly recommend this product.

It does exactly what it says it will do. I was a little intimidated by the reviews that said it would be hard to set up but even though the instruction booklet sucks, it was pretty much straight forward. A little trial and error to get it working like I wanted it to and I was done.

I would prefer it to be wireless for the setup because I have it installed high on the wall and had to get a ladder to place a TV on top because I couldn't get a cable long enough.

I'll buy another one if I need it somewhere else.

This little DVR system is really good. so far it's been reliable, fairly easy to setup and it has good picture. The view angle is just enough but wider would be better and it needs to be placed in some lighted area to work.
Mariano T.

This system worked great as a discreet camera and recording system. Everyone thought it was just a regular motion sensor with no recording capabilities. All the controls are on the back of the unit and you just pop out the SD card when you want to see what you caught on camera!

This camera does a great job accordong to its features. The product is clear and sharp. Lighting is needed as with any surveillance camera to produce discernable images. It would be better if this camera could be wired to feed a computer.