101AV 16CH Surveillance DVR 1080P - Hybrid 16ch HD Recorder

In this review of the 101AV 16CH Surveillance Digital Video Recorder, the bottom line is practical: this unit is aimed at homeowners and small businesses that want a durable hybrid recorder with ample local storage and flexible camera support. It stands out for combining a preinstalled 12TB HDD with support for two SATA drives, straightforward analog wiring compatibility, and cloud mobile apps that avoid complex port forwarding. For anyone migrating from analog to IP or building a mixed system, the DVR delivers reliable local recording and remote viewing without steep learning curves.

Key Features

• 16ch hybrid recording: Supports 16 analog channels plus additional IP camera connections for flexible system expansion to a total of 18 cameras.
• 12TB internal storage: Ships with a 12TB HDD and supports two SATA drives so longer retention and large-scale recording are possible without frequent backups.
• H.265/H.264 compression: Efficient video compression lowers bit rate while preserving image quality for extended recording times on the HDD.
• Multiple video inputs: Accepts HD-TVI, HD-AHD, HD-CVI, SD/960H composite and IP streams, which means it works with many existing analog cameras and modern IP models.
• Remote and triplex operation: Triplex support lets live view, playback, and network stream simultaneously while cloud mobile apps provide real-time snapshot alarm notifications.
• High resolution output: HDMI and VGA output default at 1080p/60Hz for clear local monitoring and supports up to 1080p recording modes.

Who It's For

This DVR is best for homeowners, small retailers, and offices that already have coaxial wiring or want a hybrid path to upgrade cameras over time. Installers who prefer plug-and-play analog operation and IT-averse users will appreciate the straightforward setup and local recording that does not rely solely on cloud services.

It is less suitable for users who require native 4K recording or those who need a fully cloud-native NVR with frequent remote software updates. Highly distributed enterprise systems that depend on advanced cloud-only features and continuous vendor software support should consider dedicated network solutions instead.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Large preinstalled 12TB HDD with support for a second SATA drive for extended on-site storage.
• Flexible hybrid design accepts analog and IP cameras, easing upgrades and compatibility.
• Efficient H.265/H.264 compression and triplex functionality support reliable local recording and remote viewing at once.
• Cloud mobile apps for Android and iPhone simplify remote access without manual port forwarding.

Cons

• HDMI/VGA default 1080p/60Hz may be incompatible with older monitors that cannot display that mode.
• Recording frame rates and resolutions vary by mode (e.g., some higher resolutions record at reduced fps).

Specifications

Channels	16 analog + up to 2-18 total IP/analog combinations
Preinstalled HDD	12TB (supports 2 x SATA drives)
Compression	H.265 and H.264
Video Inputs	HD-TVI, HD-AHD, HD-CVI, SD/960H composite and IP
Video Output	HDMI/VGA at 1080p (1920x1080) and BNC 700TVL
Remote Access	Cloud mobile apps for Android and iPhone; CMS for PC
Alarm	Motion detection, pre-alarm recording, snapshot alarm notifications

Our Verdict

The 101AV 16CH DVR is a practical, cost-effective hybrid recorder for anyone transitioning from analog to IP or maintaining a mixed system. With a large 12TB drive, strong local recording, efficient H.265 compression and cloud mobile access, it delivers long-term value and straightforward setup. Choose this unit if you want reliable local storage and flexible camera compatibility without the complexity of full network-only systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can it support more than 16 cameras?
Yes; the unit supports combinations up to 18 cameras total through analog and IP channel mixing.

Does it require port forwarding for remote access?
No; cloud mobile apps offer remote viewing without manual port forwarding.

What storage capacity is supported per SATA bay?
Each SATA bay supports up to 10TB drives and the unit ships with a 12TB installed drive.