Is a hard drive included?
Choose it in the options: No HDD, or a 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10TB surveillance drive fitted and formatted. The standard option is No HDD, for people who already have a drive. The recorder takes two drives of up to 16TB.
Are the cables included?
Yes. The kit has one Cat5e cable for each camera: 6 × 20 m and 6 × 30 m Cat5e leads with RJ45 plugs. If a camera is more than 30 m from the recorder, use a longer cable; PoE works up to 100 m.
Can I watch it on my phone?
Yes. The free VIGI app for iPhone and Android shows live view, playback and alerts, and lets you talk through the cameras. On a PC use VIGI Security Manager or a web browser.
Do the cameras need a power point?
No. Each camera plugs into a PoE+ port on the recorder, and that one cable carries power and video.
Can I add more cameras later?
Yes. The recorder has 4 free PoE+ channels. Any VIGI or InSight camera plugs straight in, and other ONVIF cameras work too.
Does the recorder have enough PoE power for 12 cameras?
For normal use, yes. TP-Link rates each camera at up to 12.5 W with its lights on full, so 12 at full load could reach 150 W, more than the recorder's 140 W PoE budget. If every camera's white light will be on at the same time, power 1 of them from a PoE switch or injectors. Call us and we can size it.
How good is the night vision?
Each camera has IR and white LEDs that reach 30 m. On IR the picture is black and white; with the white light on you get colour, and the F1.6 lens gives colour down to 0.005 lux where there is some light, such as a porch or street light. The lights can run on auto, on a schedule, or stay off.
Can I talk through the cameras?
Yes. Every InSight camera has a microphone and a speaker, so you can listen and talk from the VIGI app or at the recorder. Recording conversations is covered by state and territory laws, so check them and use signage.
Will it stop false alarms from trees and animals?
Mostly. The cameras classify people and vehicles, so intrusion, line crossing and region alarms can be limited to those targets. Headlights or large moving shadows can still trigger occasionally; tuning the zone fixes most of that.
Can it warn people off?
Yes. Link an alarm rule to a flashing white light and an audible warning, and the camera tells an intruder they have been seen while it records and alerts your phone. Set a schedule so it only happens when you want it to.
Can I install it myself?
Many owners do: the cables are supplied, the cameras mount with a few screws and the recorder finds them automatically. Concealed cabling inside walls and ceilings must be done by an ACMA-registered cabler under AS/CA S009.
Are the cameras weatherproof?
Yes. InSight cameras are IP67 rated in metal housings and work from -30 to 60 °C. Fit the waterproof cover over each cable joint. The recorder lives indoors.
