Qsee QH08045HW 5MP DVR Siren Camera System Review
A wired 8-channel DVR system from Qsee (formerly Q-See) with a built-in 2TB drive and four 5MP analog bullet cameras. Each camera has a PIR sensor that can set off a siren and red and blue warning lights.
Our verdict
The QH08045HW is the lower-cost route to a wired system with a built-in deterrent: a DVR, a 2TB drive and four siren cameras for $489.99. It records 5MP analog video, not 4K IP, and the page leaves cable power unclear. It suits a property where a visible, audible warning is the point; skip it if you want the sharpest picture or single-cable wiring.
- Best for
- A wired system where cameras that flash and sound a siren are part of the plan, at a lower price than 4K kits.
- Skip if
- You want 4K video, single-cable PoE wiring, or cameras that stay silent.
Why 3.6/5: Lifted by a complete wired 5MP kit with a built-in 2TB drive, PIR sensors and a siren and light deterrent at a lower price than the 4K kits; held back by analog video, no stated siren volume and unclear cable power.
The QH08045HW is a wired camera system from Qsee (formerly Q-See, relaunched in 2023) built around an 8-channel DVR with a built-in 2TB drive and four 5MP analog bullet cameras. Its hook is 'active deterrence': each camera has a motion sensor that can set off a siren and red and blue warning lights. The store lists it at $489.99 as of 18 October 2026, with a crossed-out price of $519.99.
The cameras
Each camera has a 5MP 1/3-inch sensor (2592×1944) at 20 or 12.5 fps behind a fixed 3.6 mm lens. A PIR sensor with an 80° angle and a 5 m detection distance triggers the alerts, and the page lists motion, person and vehicle detection. Night vision has two modes: full color using two white LEDs, with a 15 m range on the spec table, and infrared. The housing is aluminum with an IP67 rating, rated for -20 °C to 50 °C, and each camera weighs 0.7 kg and measures 196 × 70 × 70 mm. A built-in speaker plays the siren, and one blue and one red alarm LED flash alternately.
The recorder
The DVR takes eight BNC inputs, accepting TVI, AHD, CVI, CVBS and IP signals, records H.265/H.264 with a maximum output of 2560×1440 and has one SATA bay for disks of up to 10 TB. It has HDMI, VGA and CVBS outputs, two USB 2.0 ports, a gigabit Ethernet port, four audio outputs and one audio input, and runs on 12V/2A. Motion, video-loss, human and car detection are listed on all eight channels. The kit holds four 20 m BNC cables, two power adapters and a power splitter; the page doesn't say whether the cables carry power as well as video.
The siren and lights
Qsee says the siren and lights switch on when the camera detects a person, animal or motion. The page gives no decibel rating, and it links a video and an article on turning the siren and alarm lights off; the Support Center has a matching entry. The sound level isn't published, but the switch-off steps are.
How it compares with the rest of the range
The 4K bullet kit costs $100 more and records 4K IP video with single-cable PoE wiring, but has no siren or PIR sensors. If you already own a DVR that works with these cameras, the add-on QH05YC four-pack costs $259.99, more than half the price of this whole kit.
Before you buy
Qsee Technology is a California company founded in 2022 that bought the Q-See trademark, and it says it doesn't support old Q-See products, servers, apps or warranties; old DVRs and cameras can't be added to the new Qsee Smart Home app. The one buyer review on this product page (read on 18 October 2026) says the system didn't work and that emails to support went unanswered. Remote viewing runs through Qsee's app, and a company notice dated 17 December 2024 says app and cloud services were disrupted while data moved to a new cloud server. Buy from Qsee's own site or its official Amazon store to keep the 2-year warranty valid, check the box against the contents list as soon as it arrives, and test every camera inside the return window.
What we liked
- A siren with red and blue warning lights on each camera, set off by a PIR sensor; Qsee publishes steps to turn them off
- Wired BNC video that doesn't depend on Wi-Fi
- Built-in 2TB drive; the SATA bay takes disks of up to 10 TB
- 5MP cameras with IP67 aluminum housings and 15 m color night vision on the spec table
- Everything in one box for $489.99 on 18 October 2026, $100 below the 4K IP kits
Worth noting
- Analog 5MP video (2592×1944) sits below the 4K IP kits (3840×2160)
- Each camera needs power as well as video; the box has two adapters and a splitter, and the page doesn't say whether the 20 m cables carry power
- The page gives no siren volume rating
- One SATA bay, so no second drive for redundancy
- The one store-page review says the system didn't work and that support emails went unanswered (a single reviewer)
- Depends on Qsee's app for remote viewing; a company notice says app and cloud services were disrupted in December 2024
Questions before you buy
Can I turn the siren off?
Qsee publishes steps for turning the siren and alarm lights off: the product page links a video and an article, and the Support Center has a matching FAQ entry. The page gives no siren volume rating.
Do the cameras use Wi-Fi?
No. They connect to the DVR with BNC cables. The DVR has a gigabit Ethernet port for your router, and the Qsee Smart Home app and the Windows Qsee Client provide remote viewing.
Can I add more cameras later?
The DVR has eight BNC inputs and the kit uses four. The page says the DVR supports the QH05YC analog camera, sold as a four-pack at $259.99; ask Qsee support about other cameras.
Can I return it if I change my mind?
Qsee's policy page accepts returns of unopened, unused items in original packaging within 15 days of delivery (reduced from 30, it says); you pay return shipping, and a rejected return costs a 15% restocking fee plus freight. Defects must be reported within 30 days with photo or video proof, and Qsee then covers shipping. The product-page badge still says 30-day return, so confirm with support before relying on it.
Does it work with my old Q-See cameras or DVR?
Not reliably. Qsee Technology says it is a separate company that bought the Q-See trademark and does not support old Q-See servers, apps or warranties, and old devices can't be added to the new Qsee Smart Home app. Qsee's page for its QH05YC add-on cameras tells buyers to consult Qsee before pairing them with an old Q-See DVR, so ask support before mixing old and new gear.
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the maker
- Qsee Support CenterSupport channels, old Q-See devices, refunds, the 2-year warrantyRead October 18, 2026
- New Qsee disclaimer (blog post, April 2023)Who Qsee Technology is; no support for old Q-See productsRead October 18, 2026
- Qsee Download CenterApp versions, Windows-only PC client, firmware list, cloud subscriptionRead October 18, 2026
From the store
- QH08045HW product page: specs, box contents and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, what's in the box, the listed priceRead October 18, 2026
- Qsee shipping policyFree US shipping, processing and transit times, shipping zones, dutiesRead October 18, 2026
- Qsee warranty and return policy2-year warranty terms, 15-day return of unopened items, 30-day defect reportsRead October 18, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- Siren volume: the page gives no decibel rating.
- Whether the 20 m BNC cables carry power as well as video: the page doesn't say; the box has two adapters and a splitter.
- Firmware: the Download Center's latest-firmware list (read 2026-10-18) names QH08045YC and QH08052DR DVRs, not this kit's.
- Independent testing: we found no independent test or review of this model when we searched on 2026-10-18, so every spec here comes from Qsee's own pages.
- Who makes the hardware, and any NDAA or FCC covered-equipment statement: neither is published on the product page.
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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