The Lorex LW2702 Digital Wireless Surveillance system is a great starter kit for the home or small office. The LW2702 is easy to set up and use and does most of what you hope/expect it would. Read on for a detailed review of the Lorex LW2700 series LCD DVR system.
First Impressions
There are many options available when looking for a 4 camera DVR surveillance system. Many home security camera systems available today are tough to configure and use, not the Lorex LW2702. I am confident that if I sent my mother a LW2702 system she would have it up and running in a matter of minutes, it is that easy.
The packaging is very nice without being overly bulky and wasteful, just the right amount. The box includes everything pictured below. Impressive isn't it? The bummer of buying this system is that it can view four cameras at a time but only includes two cameras. (you can buy additional LW2701 cameras for about $139 here)
7" LCD Receiver
The receiver/LCD which is the heart of the system and looks like a digital picture frame. It has a very clean and minimalist design. The front of the LCD receiver has no buttons and is all business. The rear of the receiver has the antenna, a speaker (for the camera audio), and SD slot (comes with a 2GB SD card), and on/off switch, a kick stand for desktop usage, and AV out port for external viewing, a wall mount, and your menu/navigation and talk button. When you use the system you realize how much they have packed in to the LW2702 without making it cumbersome.
You can view individual cameras one-at-a-time, have them rotate one-at-a-time, or view all four cameras at once. The system only records one channel at a time which isn't optimal as you could be missing important events on one of the other three cameras. As much as I would like 4 channels of recording, at the same time, I realize this system isn't a high end camera surveillance system.
The system uses a wireless signal that is WiFi friendly so you shouldn't have any interference on your cameras or network. The video quality is good and, both at home and office, there no interference or poor picture quality. The system also displays the individual camera signal strengths on screen.
Cameras
The cameras (LW2701AC1) are weatherproof and have solid metal housings. A fun and useful feature is the two-way audio so you can hear what is going on at each camera location, and can talk to through the cameras as well. The resolution is 640×480 which isn't amazing, but adequate to see what is going on around your home/business. My favorite feature, that I wish was on every security camera, is the PIR motion sensor. Why is this a big deal? Because most DVR camera systems use pixel changes to activate recording which means you constantly get false recordings (when a tree moves or signal drops, etc,). The PIR motion sensor only records when a real life warm blooded creature comes in to the cameras view. In low light situations the 12 IR LED's do a good job of illuminating the viewing area.
Remote Control
The remote control is easy to use and very thin. I found it easier to use the remote control than the buttons on the 7" LCD display.
Features
- Ultra Digital Wireless technology offers the latest advancements in wireless video surveillance
- Minimizes interference with other devices such as wireless routers, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices and is Wi-Fi friendly
- 100% Digital video and audio for excellent image quality and crystal clear sound
- Secure connection between the receiver and cameras for total privacy
- Signal strength and out of range notifications help you find best possible installation location
- 7" Color LCD monitor with built-in wireless receiver and video recorder
- Five preloaded scenery images enable digital picture frame simulation when no motion is detected by the cameras*
- Built-in Video recorder utilizes SD memory cards (max 16GB supported)
- Record when motion is detected by the camera, schedule a daily recording time or manually start / stop recording**
- Date stamped recordings saves time by making event searching simple
- Record at VGA (640 x 480) resolution for excellent playback quality or QVGA (320 x 240) resolution to maximize recording time
- Viewing Options:
- Quad Mode Shows up to 4 Camera Views on Same Screen
- Switching Mode Shows all Cameras in Full Screen (dwell time customizable)
- Intercom function allows for 2-way communication between LCD receiver and camera. Speak/listen to the person at the camera end
- Icon based on-screen menu makes changing settings/finding recordings quick and easy
- Connect to a TV or monitor for large screen viewing (RCA output)
- System expandable up to 4 cameras**
- New recording / memory full indicators
- Place on a tabletop or wall / under counter mount with included accessories
Camera LW2701AC1 (with 2-way audio):
- VGA (640×480) Resolution Camera
- IR Night Vision
- Built-in PIR motion sensor for accurate motion detection
- Durable metal weatherproof housing ideal for indoor/outdoor use
- Built-in microphone and speaker for listening and speaking (2-way audio)
- SMA connector allows for the usage of higher power antennas to extend wireless range (antennas sold separately).
Conclusion
I guess the important question, of the video security systems available…would I buy this system again? Yes, but for the right purpose. Of the available home security camera systems out there… this one is inexpensive, simple to use, and functional. The Lorex LW2702 is a capable little wireless DVR system and is super easy to use, but it shouldn't be confused for a full blown surveillance system that costs thousands of dollars.
The LW2702 is a perfect gift for just about anyone. It is great for the family room, kitchen, office, etc, to provide a quick view of what is going on around the home or office. The Lorex LW2702 will cost you around $299 and can be purchased here.
You can see all that Lorex has to offer at their website as well – LorexTechnology.com.