If you think your gna get one THAT good for $250 of eBay, your going to be dissapointed. I know someone who sells them for a living. The GOOD ones (which back up batteries and solar panels to keep it powered up all the time will run about 60k) That also stores all data and video for up to 30 days on a hard drive contained within the control center. As tobi said, it can be viewed remotely and controlled via cell phone or computer.