ANNKE FDH800 8 Channel PoE Security Camera System Review

Introduction

The ANNKE FDH800 is an 8 channel PoE security camera system designed for continuous 24/7 recording. Unlike wireless solar cameras that only capture short clips when motion is detected, this system records non-stop day and night, so nothing gets missed. It includes a network video recorder with a hard drive inside, and it supports up to eight cameras connected via Ethernet cables.

This review covers the installation process, camera quality, the NVR interface, and the mobile app experience, based on a full home installation.

Who This System Is For

This system suits homeowners and business owners who want reliable, always-on surveillance without monthly fees. Because it uses Power over Ethernet, you will need to run Ethernet cables from the NVR to each camera location. That makes it a better fit for people who can plan cable runs through an attic, crawl space, or existing conduit.

If you are replacing an older wired system, the upgrade is straightforward. The existing Ethernet cables can be reused, so you only need to swap out the NVR and cameras. For a new installation, plan ahead to know exactly where each camera will go and confirm you have room to run the cables.

Inside the Box and Hardware Overview

The standard package includes the NVR, two bullet cameras, and two turret cameras. Additional cameras can be ordered separately, and the NVR supports up to eight channels total. When ordering, you can specify the hard drive size from 1 TB up to 10 TB. The unit reviewed here came with a 4 TB hard drive.

Each camera ships with a roll of Ethernet cable with RJ45 connectors on both ends, a drilling template, mounting hardware, screws, plastic anchors, a security sticker, and a quick start guide. A plastic cover protects the Ethernet connector from weather.

The NVR includes a user manual, mouse, AC power adapter, power cord, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, SATA cables, and screws for installing the hard drive. The hard drive installs inside the NVR after removing the top cover, which is held on by screws on the side and back.

Camera Design and Features

The system includes two camera styles: bullet and turret. Although the bodies look different, the camera modules are identical. Each camera features a dual lens design that combines two images into a 180 degree panoramic view. The resolution is ultra HD 4096 by 860 at 20 frames per second, with a 20:9 aspect ratio. This wide view helps cover large areas without blind spots.

Below the lens are two sets of LEDs: infrared LEDs for black and white night vision, and a bright spotlight for color nighttime images. The nighttime illumination range is 30 meters or 98 feet.

The cameras include advanced motion detection AI technology that uses learning algorithms to distinguish people, vehicles, and other moving objects. A built-in microphone with noise cancelling technology supports two-way audio.

Each camera has a physical cable with an RJ45 connector. The NVR injects power over the same Ethernet cable, so no separate power supply is needed at the camera.

NVR Setup and Initial Configuration

The initial setup begins by selecting the language and confirming the monitor resolution. You then create a password for the admin account. The password must be 8 to 16 characters and include at least two of the following: digits, uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and special characters.

After setting the password, the auto configuration option formats the hard drive, syncs the clock, and obtains an IP address using DHCP. Channels will show as failed until cameras are connected, which is expected during initial setup.

The back panel of the NVR has eight Ethernet ports for cameras, a LAN connector for the router, RCA audio input, HDMI and VGA outputs for a monitor, a USB port for the mouse, a DC power input, and a power switch.

Camera Installation and Adjustment

Installing the cameras involves mounting the base plate, connecting the Ethernet cable, and adjusting the viewing angle. Bullet cameras have a knob for up and down adjustment and a collar for left and right rotation. Once the desired angle is set, tightening the collar locks it in place.

Turret cameras mount on a base plate and lock into position. An arrow on the camera body must align with a marking on the base. The Ethernet cable can feed through the center of the base plate or through a slot on the back. After mounting, the camera body rotates up, down, left, and right for angle adjustment.

A key detail is to ensure the camera lens is on top and the LED light is at the bottom. Installing the camera upside down will result in an inverted image. The turret camera has a marking to indicate the correct orientation.

For outdoor installations, a weather cover protects the Ethernet connection. The RJ45 connector plugs into the camera, and the cover closes securely over the connection.

NVR User Interface

The NVR connects to a monitor via HDMI or VGA. The interface shows a multi-camera view, and double clicking any camera opens a full screen view. Right clicking opens the settings menu.

Under system settings, you can change the date and time, configure the time zone, date format, and daylight saving time. The lock screen time defaults to 5 minutes of inactivity before requiring login. Additional users can be added beyond the default admin account.

The camera settings show the status of each connected camera with a green check mark when online. A privacy mask feature lets you block out areas you do not want to record. Motion detection zones can be configured by dragging areas on the screen, and sensitivity can be adjusted per camera.

Recording defaults to 24/7 non-stop. A schedule option allows recording only during specific times for each camera.

Playback and Event Search

The playback feature lets you select a camera, date, and time to review recorded footage. A timeline shows the recording, and hovering over the timeline provides a preview. Controls allow you to go back or forward 30 seconds, pause, or adjust playback speed.

Since the cameras have motion detection, you can filter playback by events. Red lines on the timeline represent motion detection events. Selecting a red line jumps to that event, and the 30 second rewind option ensures you see the full event without missing anything.

Mobile App Experience

The ANNKE Vision mobile app provides remote access to the system from anywhere with a data connection. After registering an account, you add the NVR by scanning a QR code displayed on the NVR screen and entering the device verification code.

The app shows thumbnails for all connected cameras. Live view supports full screen mode, zoom, snapshot capture, and recording directly to your phone. Two-way audio lets you speak through the camera, and an alarm button sounds a siren. A white LED flash option is also available.

The light settings let you choose between infrared LED, spotlight LED, or smart light compensation. With smart light compensation, nighttime recording uses infrared, and the spotlight automatically turns on when motion is detected for full color recording. You can also select color night vision or black and white night vision manually.

Event messages appear at the bottom of the app, showing motion detection recordings. Playback can be filtered by event, person, or vehicle. Green lines on the timeline indicate person detection events, and you can download video clips to your phone by adjusting a slider and selecting download.

Motion detection settings are configured in the app under intelligent detection. You can set the detection area by swiping your finger across the screen, choose detection targets such as all objects, human only, vehicle only, or human and vehicle, and adjust sensitivity. Push notifications can be enabled or disabled per your preference.

Night Vision Performance

The nighttime image quality is clear using infrared LED, with good detail visible in black and white. When the spotlight is enabled, the image switches to full color. The 30 meter illumination range covers typical residential areas well.

In the garage with no lights on, the infrared view remains clear. Inside the house, the camera captures the entryway effectively. The smart light compensation mode provides a good balance, using infrared by default and switching to color when motion is detected.

Buying Advice

This system is a strong choice for anyone who wants continuous recording without ongoing subscription costs. There are no monthly or yearly fees to use the ANNKE Vision app, and remote access works anywhere with a data connection.

The main consideration is the installation effort. Running Ethernet cables requires planning and access to attics or crawl spaces. If you already have cables in place from an older system, the upgrade is much simpler.

The 4 TB hard drive provides substantial storage for continuous recording. If you need more capacity, larger drives up to 10 TB are available when ordering. The ability to expand from the standard four cameras to eight gives room to grow.

Conclusion

The ANNKE FDH800 delivers reliable 24/7 recording with clear daytime and nighttime images, a wide 180 degree panoramic view, and intelligent motion detection that distinguishes people and vehicles. The NVR interface is straightforward, and the mobile app provides full remote access without subscription fees.

For homeowners and business owners who can manage the Ethernet cable installation, this system offers solid value and dependable performance. The dual camera design with panoramic stitching and the smart light compensation feature make it a practical choice for comprehensive property coverage.