Swann CCTV - www.swann.com

Brought this as a neighbour had one and was pleased with it. Brought the 8 channel DVR and 4 cameras so I could add to the system later. Night vision is very grainy and totally useless even with street lights and porch light on. Got 2 cheap cameras on ebay that were much better. Set to display 4 cameras but keeps changing to 8, annoying as it's connected to my TV downstairs, so I can switch to cctv channel if I hear anything or someone's at the door. Showing 8 cameras images are half the size and have to go upstairs every time to reset. Recently HDMI output stopped working so tried another TV and cable. Emailed Swann several times and no reply. Tried 2 security specialists to see if it could be repaired. When they learned it was Swann they suggested I bin it and told me they had replaced many Swann products and were less than complementary about the product quality and service. Neighbours DVR has now stopped working and just out of warranty. Wish I'd seen reviews before buying.

Although Swann products are competitively priced, with a comprehensive range please take heed of my and many others experience of Customer care, which is anything but!! The signs of a quality product is also judged by the Aftersales Care.

When I found one of my cameras was letting water in I contacted Customer Care to arrange a replacement. Even though I contacted the UK number I was immediately transferred to a foreign call centre and had difficulty understanding his English.

I was told that the camera wouldn’t be replaced if subjected to adverse weather conditions, to which I replied that its outdoor camera and we don’t have extreme weather in UK and was sheltered on 3 sides anyway! To justify my claim I had to produce photos of its location, take a photo of the camera even though I provided the serial number and proof of purchase!!

Once I had satisfied their requests I then had to pay for its return, only for them to return the wrong camera and then to be told they don’t replace with a new camera too! After a long trail of communications it took over 2 months to replace the faulty camera, leaving the security of my property vulnerable in the meantime!!

You have been warned and do hope you manage to take notice before purchasing Swann Security products!

I have had my system for a year and three quarters(out of warranty),yet I am experiencing problems with the system(there is NO curser to direct me to vital points in the system), the back up is diabolical as they are unable to direct me to service operators in my area, More or less its, OUT OF WARRANTY NOW THROW IT IN THE BIN AND PURCHASE A NEW ONE,great after sales

THANK YOU VERY MUCH SWANN.

Hardware works well, but it is difficult to figure out which of their many iPhone apps to use with specific equipment, the documentation is very poor, and Swann support takes many days to reply to queries. When they did finally reply, they gave me advice about Android phones when I clearly stated "iPhone".