An 8 channel standalone DVR is an all-in-one multi-channel device that lets you record your favorite movies and television shows. Everything that you need comes in one small black box. A powerful computer processor controls all its features and functionalities, while a single motherboard holds all the circuits, chips, hard drives, and optical disk drives together.

You do not have to worry about hardware requirements and other specifications for your 8 channel stand alone DVR to work. You do not have to fret over software compatibility and other operating system issues. You don't have to install software, like in PC-based DVRs, because the applications are permanently embedded into the hardware of standalone machines. Therefore, software upgrades and modifications are impossible. If you do not take good care of your machine, any system error might end up with you carrying the thing to a service center to have it fixed. This is probably its biggest downside. Nevertheless, connecting video inputs to an 8 channel stand alone DVR is easy. Enter some system configurations, and you will be recording and feeding programs in no time.

With a user manual and a little patience, you can easily set up a network with your stand alone DVR without any expert help. If you are able to work with your machine, you will get a good understanding of how it works. The knowledge that you will get about your machine will really be helpful when you have to do some minor troubleshooting.

As for 8CH Standalone DVRs, we do have a few that are highly recommended as following:

(SKU: PB0218) 8CH Video 1CH Audio Real-time DVR Mobile View VGA Email Alarm

Features:

1. Support Motion detection alarm, Video shelter alarm, Video loss alarm, E-mail alarm,
2. Support multi-user, multi-team, different permissions, password protection user management;
3. Support USB equipment, removable hard disk backup through USB or SATA interface;
4. Support VGA output, auto adapt to the widescreen resolutions;
5. Support remote surveillance, PTZ control, recording checking, backup through network;
6. Support RS485 PTZ control

(SKU: DVRSZ0602) 15.6" TFT LCD All Real Time 8CH AV H.264 Network Mobile View DVR

Features:

• 8CH H.264 compression DVR
• 8CH Video input (CIF), 1CH Mic. input
• Mobile phone Surveillance, support Symbian, Windows, BlackBerry, iPhone, Android system
• Built-in 15.6inch TFT LCD monitor
• Support TV function
• Support VGA input
• USB/IE/RS485
• IE browser and client software
• Playback mode 1CH, multi-CH or 4CH (Dualplex)
• 4CH alarm input, 2CH alarm Output
• USB/Mouse/Remote controller/PTZ control
• Support 1TB (SATA HDD) (Max: X 2pcs)