SVAT CV301-8CH-008 8-Channel H.264 Smart DVR Complete Surveillance System (Includes 8 Indoor/Outdoor High-Resolution CCD Night-Vision Cameras)

• H.264 video compression allows recording of more than a month of footage
• Advanced motion-activated recording with multiple automatic or continuous recording combinations and schedules
• DVR retains user-set schedule when power is interrupted
• Customizable display modes-single and quad

• Product Dimensions: 17.5 x 15 x 11 inches ; 20 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 45 pounds 
• ASIN: B003EGYEO0
• Item model number: CV301-8CH-008

I've just had this system a short time and I can't determine if I like it or not. True, it's very easy to set up but configuring the software to view online could be a bit tedious if you are not a techie. You will have to deal with configuring your router/modem as well, to get the right settings. So be prepared for that. But what is most shocking is that e-mail alerts does not work. After days of struggling to get this to work and thinking that I must be doing something wrong, I decided to contact SVAT customer service. I received a call from one of their support guys who told me point blank that the e-mail function does not work. In his words "when they tested it in China it worked, but after they were shipped to the US that function never worked". So I asked about a firmware update, I was told none was forthcoming. The was a big disappointment for me because I wanted to be alerted. My blackberry phone is not compatible with the unit, so I can't view my cameras from my phone. But in the interest of full disclosure, I was relatively happy with it until I learnt that email alerts does not work. They need to make people aware of this. I wonder how many other SVAT models are like this.