I did some research on the pre-packaged systems from Microcenter and Costco. My first plan was a Swann NVR (NVR8-7300) with 4 cameras for about $599 at Microcenter, then I found a similar Lorex package at Costco for $499. I went with the Lorex. The wiring was easy enough. The device found all cameras through a secondary POE switch and a Powerline Adapter and displayed live image on all cameras when I first connected it, but it kept complaining there was no "hard disk" installed. I figured if tech support couldn't walk me through it they would RMA it.
Lorex tech support and customer service is a joke. Every time I called either department I got the standard recording saying "wait time was in excess of 30 minutes, please leave your number and we'll call you". Each time I called it took on average 2.5-3 hours to call me back. In one case it was next day. They are grossly understaffed. After telling me 4 times it would not void my warranty, they had me open the box and reseat the HD harness. No help. Customer service said they would RMA the NVR in "10-14 business days". I reminded them it only took Costco 3 days to ship a new package to my house. I got nothing in reply. After waiting 5 days I told them I was calling Costco. No reply. Costco took 3 days to send me a new package (NVR, cameras, wires, etc) and even gave me a label to ship the dead one back free.
That was all well and good, but the new one was a bust, too. With the new NVR, cameras that worked on the first NVR no longer worked with the replacement. Wires that I previously tested no longer worked. Lorex system is a mess. That package is going back to Costco, too.
The next day I bought the Swann package from Microcenter. I pulled everything out of the box and had it running in 2 minutes. It's been running for 2 days now on my workbench with only a minor hitch registering their dynamic DNS and getting the port forwarding straight. The doc was a little light on that subject. I'll be pulling down the Lorex cameras and sending them back to Costco this week. Live and learn.