FAQ
Where do I buy these cameras and kits?
Use the Shop now button on any product page. It opens that exact kit or camera in a new tab, where you can check the current price and stock and complete your order.
Where should I start?
The ZOSI review covers the whole range and who each line suits, and How to Choose ZOSI PoE Camera Systems & Security Kits walks through the choice step by step.
What does PoE mean?
Power over Ethernet. One network cable carries both power and video from the recorder to each camera, so no camera needs its own power outlet.
Do ZOSI kits need a monthly subscription?
The wired kits don't. Footage records to the hard drive in the recorder, and viewing through the ZOSI Smart app or the AVSS client on a computer carries no monthly fee. The C291 solar cameras come with a 32GB card and a 30-day cloud trial; cloud storage after that is paid.
Does a kit come with a hard drive?
Yes. Every NVR and DVR kit names its drive, 2TB, 3TB or 4TB, and it comes pre-installed. Most ZOSI kit recorders take a larger drive, up to 8TB according to ZOSI.
What is the difference between an NVR and a DVR?
An NVR records network (PoE) cameras over Ethernet. A DVR records analog cameras over coax, like the 3K Lite kit and the HD-TVI domes. The two camera types don't mix. NVR vs DVR: Which Recorder Do You Need explains more.
Are ZOSI cameras weatherproof?
The outdoor PoE cameras are. The C220 domes, the C296 pan-tilt cameras and the 5MP add-on dome carry an IP66 rating against rain, snow and dust, and the C296 cameras have metal housings.
Can I watch the cameras on a computer?
Yes. ZOSI's PoE recorders work with the ZOSI Smart app on phones and the AVSS client on Windows and Mac computers, with no monthly fee.
Can I add cameras later?
Yes, if the recorder has free channels. A 16-channel recorder with ten cameras has six to spare. ZOSI's add-on cameras, such as the 5MP 3K Add-on PoE Dome, work with a ZOSI PoE NVR.
Fixed dome or pan-tilt?
Fixed domes hold one steady view of a door or porch. Pan-tilt cameras turn and follow movement across a driveway or yard. C220 Fixed Domes vs C296 Pan-Tilt compares the two.
Do the cameras see in color at night?
Some do. The C296, C186 and C298 cameras keep color in very low light. The C220 domes switch to infrared and record black and white, rated to 100ft.
What if I can't run cable outside?
The C291 4×4MP Solar Wireless PT cameras run on solar power and WiFi with no cables. They record on motion to a memory card rather than around the clock.