yeah, sorry that was a horrible message. I am able log in remotely and localy and take snapshots using my laptop and i found a way to download the video file onto my laptop but it is in .264 file format. all file converters ive found wont seem to covert it properly even the one recomended from zmodo. Anyway, zmodo never responds to their emails, so i might have to spend my day off on the phone. I was hoping there was an option on the dvr itself to protect or save data to prevent it from being recorded over.