Jmath

I checked all that before posting, as I suspected the same thing. The settings: Best REC Resolution - FULL-D1 Compression - Normal No Dual Streaming Each camera set on the highest record quality Each camera set to 7 IPS so that the total IPS is less than the spec 120 IPS @ Full D1

Thanks, the lenses idea I have not tried. That seems like an affordable option at the moment.

The live quality is what is in question, it is the same as the recorded quality. You say that if that is the case, the DVR is good. But wouldn't the DVR effect the live quality too since I'm watching the video through the DVR? The DVR has to do the analog to digital conversion and display the picture to a monitor, so I feel like it does have an effect. So paying $200+ for each analog camera is normal to get a decent picture? I'm quickly realizing I should've gone with IP cameras from the start. But, now I'm in somewhat of a hole.

I guess what my question boils down to, cameras aside, how much of a quality difference does the DVR make?

I'm working with an Aposonic A-S1602R25 16 channel DVR with several different cameras. Originally I was using only the cameras that came with the package. I was getting a very low quality picture even with the DVR (supposedly) set on full D1 (704x480), so I bought some higher $ cameras. Unfortunately this resulted in only a small improvement. Now I suspect the DVR might be to blame. Here is a snapshot from one of the cheap cameras that came with the DVR: Here is a snapshot from one of the higher quality (but still disappointing) cameras: Here is another from one of the higher quality cameras: I also bought this camera: http://www.securitycamerasdirect.com/products/color-65-ir-weatherproof-camera and this one: http://www.securitycamerasdirect.com/products/540-line-164-ir-2_8-10mm-weatherproof-camera I tried these two recently and both gave a disappointing picture, especially the cheaper one. I don't have snapshots for those but they were similar to the first snapshot I posted. Are these fuzzy pictures a result of the DVR or is this just how bad analog recording is? Should I buy a better DVR? Thanks