Skip to main content

Swann DVR4-2600: monitor four live security cams via smartphone

Not everyone is in the market for video surveillance systems, but folks who are know that if the video gear proves to be handle, it’s usually after a break-in or other crime has been committed: most systems are merely passive recorders of what the cameras see, and don’t enable owners to keep tabs on things while they’re away. Not so with the new Swann DVR4-2600 video surveillance system: it not only includes support for up to four cameras and comes with a 500 GB hard drive pre-installed, it can offer live remote monitoring from 3G smartphones, including Symbian, Windows Mobile, Android, BlackBerry, and (yes) iOS devices.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

“This is a flagship product for Swann in 2011” said Swann’s VP for global marketing Jeremy Stewart, in a statement. “It brings together video surveillance with phone connectivity and convenience as never before.”

Recommended Videos

The DVR4-2600 supports viewing and recording by up to four cameras, which record at up to 704 by 480 (NTSC) or 704 by 576 (PAL) and automatically stamp video with the time and date. The 500 GB hard drive should be enough for about 30 days of continuous video, but users can save on hard drive space by using motion detection recording that only records video when the system detects changes in the camera views. Video can be transfered to USB drives for archiving and storage, and the system can be connected to a TV or PC monitor for live viewing: users can set up all four cameras on-screen at once. The system comes with a remote control, and Swann’s PRO-580 cameras sport a 62° viewing angle, infrared LEDs for night vision shooting in dark spaces, and can handle cable lengths up to 60 feet.

However, the breakthrough feature on the DVR4-2600 is smartphone monitoring: users just need to installed the three SwannView app available from Swann directly (or, for iOS users, from the iTunes App Store): once the app is running, users just need to enter their DVR’s IP address, port, and login information, and they’ll be able to view camera feeds in real time.

The DVR4-2600 with four PRO-580 cameras has a suggested price of $449 and will be available in March; a version will also be available without cameras, and folks with more extensive monitoring needs can check out 8- and 16-camera variations.

Geoff Duncan
Former Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Sebastian Stan lays out Bucky’s future after Thunderbolts
Sebastian Stan in Thunderbolts.

There are some spoilers ahead for the ending of Marvel's Thunderbolts. Stop reading now if you don't want to be spoiled.

Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World briefly introduced a new direction for James "Bucky" Barnes, a character Sebastian Stan has been playing since 2011 in Captain America: The First Avenger. In Brave New World, the former Winter Soldier apparently retired from being a reformed hero and went into politics by running for Congress. Thunderbolts reveals that Bucky won his election to the House of Representatives. But his stay in Congress was short.

Read more
Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?
jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii  4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Read more
Charlie Cox singles out his least favorite Daredevil: Born Again episode
Charlie Cox in Daredevil: Born Again.

Daredevil: Born Again season 1 was largely reconceived after the 2023 actor and writer strikes. Dario Scardapane -- a veteran of The Punisher series on Netflix -- was brought in to be the new showrunner and he made a lot of changes to the series that were well-received. However, there's one episode that Scardapane didn't really change at all, and it happens to be the least favorite episode of Daredevil: Born Again's leading man, Charlie Cox.

During an appearance on The Playlist, Cox noted that he wasn't very fond of the season's fifth episode, "With Interest," which was a largely standalone episode that featured his character, Matt Murdock, in a bank during a hostage crisis.

Read more