CoolCube
2025-09-05 14:52:56
This NVR came with more than I was expecting. Getting the 2 SATA cables for the hard drive, the USB-A mouse, and an ethernet cable are all nice extras. Keep in mind, you need to purchase your own hard drive(s) for this (and install them, which is pretty easy). Also, I recommend getting a basic wireless mouse that uses a USB-A receiver, which feels like a huge upgrade for this, as you're not stuck right by the NVR to control it.I decided to test this unit out with a high end 12MP camera, even though the product listing on Amazon seems to imply that 8MP cameras are this unit's limit. At first, it didn't work. It turns out, the ethernet cable supplied with this NVR only works to connect this unit to your switch/router, but it did not work to connect the PoE security camera. When I swapped out the ethernet cable for a regular Cat6 cable I had laying around, the 12MP PoE camera worked great! I was surprised to see the NVR detected the 12MP feed and defaulted to that quality as well.This NVR is noticeably larger than past Amcrest NVRs I have used (see photos for comparison - that is this unit next to a full size keyboard, and an iPhone 16 Pro Max - one of the biggest phones out there). I believe this is mostly because this unit can hold two hard drives, where as my previous Amcrest NVRs only held one hard drive. However, if you are space limited, this unit may not work for you.I have not tried out any of the special features, like face or vehicle detection, as I don't have a need for any of them at the moment. When I have the system fully set up, I will test those extra features out and update this review if they are problematic.
James Murphy
2025-08-02 18:08:44
If you have a security system like mine you've cobbled it together from an assortment of different camera brands and types. Now you need to get them all to place nicely together. This standalone PoE DVR is a good tool for doing that. It can support up to two 16 TB drives which is a ton of memory. You can add cameras via coaxial cable or via your network. It easily supports the advanced AI features of the higher end Amcrest cameras. I don't know if it 'officially' supports other brands but I had no problem getting several such devices integrated. It also gives you email and push alerts if anything happens that you need to know about. Keep in mind that this NVR requires a hardwired Ethernet connection direct to your router to work properly. Well made, easy to set up and sold by a reputable brand. Highly recommended!
Customer #66
2025-06-07 09:48:26
This is quite the upgrade from my old Amcrest NVR4108E in just about everyway.I had 8 channels, but now it looks like it's time to go buy more & better cameras.PoE is definitely the way to go. One cable for it all.I definitely can always use more HDD space. Course some of that will get eaten up by the resolution.But all of the software features are so much nicer. I was still using MSIE compatibility mode if I needed to get in via browser.
Robert J.
2025-03-15 12:08:42
This NVR replaced an older model from a different manufacturer that was only 1080p capable. It served its purpose and worked well. Replacing the NVR was fairly simple although it does take some time to go through and set all the parameters for the new system and to set up remote viewing. The on-screen user interface is generally understood but I did have to search a few settings on the interweb to understand how this system interprets those. I used my old cameras so I did loose some functionality in doing this because they are recognized as ONVIF cameras. I also added two cameras which are 4k (8mp) cameras but they too are not Amcrest branded so they are only recognized as ONVIF as well. All are POE which is the way to go in my opinion. I installed the two old hard drives from my old system for a storage capacity of 4tb (2tb per drive) and that was done without issue. My old system was also only a 8 channel system, this one is a 16 channel so it is nice to have the expansion room for future camera additions. I plan to replace the remaining 1080p cameras with Amcrest branded 4k cameras in the near future. So far the system works great and I feel for the price point it is a good system for the average home user. It is not by any means a "pro" grade or industrial grade system. I will update this review as and if needed.
Amanda
2025-03-13 11:09:41
This is not much more advanced than my 2019 amcrest 8 poe nvr. Yeah sure there may be a couple of new features but nothing to make it worth upgrading from an older unit that works fine. I guess the best part is being able to add a second hard drive to record for more days… yay. Ai features aren’t incredible and I won’t use them much. Who needs license place and face detection if it’s constantly recording 😞
Mike B.
2025-01-31 16:47:13
The Amcrest 4K NV4216E-EI 16CH AI POE NVR is an outstanding network video recorder that combines cutting-edge technology with ease of use. With support for 4K resolution and 16 channels, it provides crystal-clear video and comprehensive coverage for large-scale surveillance systems. The AI capabilities, including object detection and facial recognition, take this NVR to the next level, offering smarter monitoring and enhanced security.The POE functionality makes setup straightforward by combining power and data in one cable, reducing clutter and simplifying installation. The interface is user-friendly, allowing for quick navigation and customization of settings. It integrates seamlessly with Amcrest cameras, and the remote access feature via the Amcrest app lets me monitor my property anytime, anywhere.The build quality is robust, and the system handles high data loads efficiently without lag or interruptions. It’s perfect for both residential and commercial setups, offering reliable and scalable surveillance management.Overall, the Amcrest 4K NV4216E-EI NVR is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to invest in a high-quality, AI-powered surveillance solution. Highly recommend it for its performance, ease of use, and advanced features!