ONWOTE 6K PoE Security System Review: Is it the Best DIY?

I recently unboxed and put the ONWOTE 6K PoE Security Camera System through its paces, comparing its 8MP dome cameras to a couple of other systems in day and night vision. The most surprising takeaway? The night vision on these cameras is incredibly powerful, almost to a fault.

Disclosure: ONWOTE sent this unit for testing. All opinions and test results are my own.

What I Built

This system arrived in two main boxes: one for the Network Video Recorder (NVR) and another containing eight individual camera boxes. Each camera box included the camera, a mounting template, an Ethernet cable waterproofing kit, and mounting hardware. The main NVR box contained the NVR itself, a power cord, a mouse, some screws, a 3M pad, and an Ethernet cable. A nice touch was the inclusion of eight 60-foot Cat5e Ethernet cables, pre-made and ready to go.

For the setup, I connected the NVR in my garage, plugging in the power cable, an Ethernet line from the camera into one of the PoE ports, and the main internet Ethernet cable into its dedicated port. I also connected the mouse and an HDMI cable to a monitor for the initial setup. I noted that the rear USB 3.0 port would be better suited for quick data transfers (like 4K video files) than the front USB 2.0 port, suggesting a swap of port types would be more practical for front-facing access.

Mounting the cameras presented a minor challenge. The dome cameras lacked a dedicated chase for the Ethernet cable to exit the base without being pinched when flush-mounted. I found there were small knockouts on the base that could be easily removed with pliers, creating a perfect channel for the cable. This allowed for a clean installation on the underside of an eave. I then used the provided waterproofing kit for the Ethernet connections, a smart move for any outdoor installation.

Why It Works

The ONWOTE system utilizes Power over Ethernet (PoE) for its cameras, meaning a single Ethernet cable provides both power and data. This simplifies installation significantly, as you don't need separate power outlets for each camera. The NVR acts as the central hub, managing all video streams and recordings.

The cameras boast 8-megapixel (6K) resolution, providing crisp, detailed images, especially during the day. For nighttime, they employ powerful infrared (IR) illumination. These IR LEDs emit light that is invisible to the human eye but visible to the camera's sensor, allowing it to capture black and white video in complete darkness. The system also includes advanced features like human body detection, motion detection, and other VCA (Video Content Analysis) parameters, which are processed either by the camera itself (camera-side analysis) or by the NVR (NVR-side analysis) to reduce false alarms and provide more intelligent alerts.

Parts & Specs

• NVR: ONWOTE 16-channel Commercial NVR
• Cameras: 8x ONWOTE 8MP (6K) Dome IP Cameras with Audio
• Storage: 4TB Hard Drive (included)
• Cabling: 8x 60ft Cat5e Ethernet Cables (included)
• Power: PoE (Power over Ethernet) for cameras, DC plug option also available
• Connectivity: 16 PoE ports, 1x Main Ethernet, HDMI, VGA, USB 3.0 (rear), USB 2.0 (front), Audio In/Out, Alarm In/Out terminal block
• AI Features: Human Body Detection, Motion Detection, Intrusion Detection, Enter/Leave Area, Object Removed, Defocus Detection, Scene Change Detection
• Current Price: ~$759 (at time of video production)

Math & Run-Time Numbers

The video included several tests to evaluate the cameras' performance:

• Daytime Text Reading: I set up a New York license plate sign at 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 feet. The ONWOTE camera, along with my 4K video camera, provided clear, legible text up to 30 feet. Beyond that, the text became difficult to read on all cameras.
• Nighttime Text Reading: With the IR lights on the security cameras covered to prevent overexposure from their own powerful IR, the license plate text was difficult to read even at 5 feet using only ambient light. However, with the ONWOTE's built-in IR, it lit up the entire backyard. At 5 and 10 feet, the license plate was completely overexposed, making the text unreadable. It became somewhat clearer at 20 feet, and by 30-40 feet, the text was still somewhat blurry but visible.
• Microphone Test: I tested the camera's microphone by speaking directly into it, then turning 90 degrees and 180 degrees away. The audio was clear when facing the camera and relatively close. As I moved away and turned, the audio quality naturally decreased, but it still picked up sound.
• NVR Power Consumption: The NVR showed a total available PoE power of 240W. With one camera connected, it was drawing about 2.38W, leaving 237.6W remaining. This indicates plenty of power for all 16 channels, even with higher-power cameras.
• NVR Data Rate: The live view displayed 20 frames per second at 3.64 Mbps, showcasing smooth video transmission.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Excellent 8MP (6K) image quality in daylight.
• Extremely powerful infrared night vision, illuminating large areas.
• All-inclusive kit with pre-made Ethernet cables and a 4TB hard drive.
• Comprehensive NVR software with flexible settings for recording, alarms, and image adjustments.
• Mobile app setup is straightforward via QR code (once you find the correct P2P menu).
• Flexible OSD (On-Screen Display) text placement, allowing users to drag and drop text boxes.

Cons:

• Camera mounting requires a small modification (breaking out a knockout) for clean cable routing.
• Overly powerful IR night vision can overexpose close-up objects like license plates.
• Front USB port is 2.0, while the rear is 3.0, which is less convenient for frequent high-speed data transfers.
• Mobile app, while functional, could use further refinement to be considered "best-in-class."

When To Use This vs. Alternatives

This ONWOTE 6K PoE Security System is an excellent choice for homeowners or small businesses looking for a comprehensive, high-resolution surveillance solution without the hassle of purchasing individual components. If you need powerful night vision that lights up a large area, this system delivers. The included 4TB hard drive and pre-made cables make it a true DIY-friendly kit.

However, if your primary need is to read license plates at night from close distances, the intense IR illumination might be too much, causing overexposure. In such cases, you might consider cameras with adjustable IR intensity or alternative night vision technologies. If you anticipate frequent high-speed data transfers from the NVR, the USB 2.0 front port might be a minor inconvenience.

Bottom Line

For its price point and the features it offers, the ONWOTE 6K PoE Security Camera System truly delivers. It provides exceptional image quality, especially during the day, and its night vision is incredibly robust. While there are minor design quirks with camera mounting and USB port placement, these are easily overcome. The comprehensive NVR software and functional mobile app round out a solid security package.

Final Wrap-Up

Those are my thoughts on the ONWOTE 6K PoE Security Camera System. I hope this detailed breakdown and testing was helpful to you. If you found this information valuable, please consider subscribing to the There's A Trick For That YouTube channel, leave a comment with your questions, or check out my gear page for more recommendations.