REOLINK RLK8-810B6-A 8-Channel 4K PoE Camera System: specs and who it suits

The REOLINK RLK8-810B6-A is a wired security camera kit built around a network video recorder (NVR) with eight channels and a pre-installed 2TB hard drive. The cameras record in 4K (8MP) and connect over Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. It is aimed at homes and properties that want continuous recording stored on their own equipment.

What PoE means for the cables

PoE stands for Power over Ethernet: a single network cable carries both power and the video signal. That means no separate power outlet at each camera, which makes mounting under eaves or on a garage wall much simpler. REOLINK says the cables can run up to 300 ft (about 90 m) between camera and recorder. Because the link is wired, REOLINK points out that it offers a more stable connection and a lossless video signal compared with wireless cameras.

The trade-off is the cable routing. Someone has to run Ethernet from each camera position back to the recorder, which can mean drilling through walls or soffits.

What 4K and night vision give you

The cameras record at 8MP, 3840 x 2160 pixels. Higher resolution generally means you can zoom into a recording and still read detail such as a house number or a vehicle's shape, though distance, lighting and lens quality all matter too. At night, 18 infrared LEDs per camera are rated by REOLINK to reach up to 100 feet (about 30 m). The brand also lists 3D-DNR noise reduction, a processing technique that reduces the grain that tends to appear in dark footage.

Smart detection

The system can tell people, vehicles and animals apart by their shapes. You can choose which type triggers an alert, which cuts down on notifications from shadows, passing animals or similar movement. Alerts appear on a phone's lock screen through the REOLINK app.

Recording and storage

The 2TB hard drive is already installed in the recorder and supports continuous 24/7 recording. For more room, the kit can take an external drive of up to 8TB for backup, and storage is expandable to 16TB (2 x 8TB). How many days of footage fit depends on resolution, frame rate and how busy the scene is, so a quiet doorway will fill the drive far more slowly than a busy street.

Setup and viewing

The listing describes a three-step setup: connect the cameras to the recorder, download the REOLINK app and add the device information. You can watch live and play back recordings locally on a monitor, or remotely through the app. A monitor is not included. The system comes with a 2-year warranty and lifetime technical support, according to REOLINK.

Who it suits

This kind of kit suits owners of houses, workshops or small businesses who are comfortable running cable and want one central recorder. It is less suited to renters who cannot drill or to spots that are hard to reach with cable.

What to check before you buy

• Cable routes: plan how Ethernet will reach each camera, and check lengths against the 300 ft limit.
• Camera count and placement: confirm how many cameras are in the kit and where each will point.
• Monitor: you need your own screen if you want to view locally.
• Storage needs: estimate how many days of footage you want to keep and whether to add a drive.
• Privacy and local rules: check the rules on recording public areas or neighbouring property, and follow the manual for installation.
• Weather exposure: follow the manual on protecting outdoor cable connections.

The short version

• An 8-channel wired PoE system with 4K (8MP) cameras and a pre-installed 2TB hard drive.
• Infrared night vision rated up to 100 feet; person, vehicle and animal detection.
• One cable per camera for power and data, up to 300 ft.
• Storage expandable to 16TB; live view locally or through the app.
• Two-year warranty and lifetime technical support, as stated by REOLINK.

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