Welcome to our updated comprehensive how-to guide for getting started with your Hikvision IP CCTV system. IP systems are taking over the surveillance world and whether you’re setting up your brand new Hikvision system, or you need help adding more cameras to an existing setup you have, the step-by-step guides in this Megaforum should be all you need to get up and running!

Part 1: How do I install a Hard Drive in a Hikvision NVR?

Any setup with an NVR will need a hard drive to function as it is what all your footage is saved to. The WD Purple Drive is our go-to recommendation for the vast majority of IP setups as it designed with the high workload requirements of 24/7 surveillance solutions in mind. Please see the guide on picking the right HDD to better understand your storage needs and why we don’t recommend using HDD’s that aren’t optimised for use in a CCTV system.

Please see the five simple steps below for getting your hard drive installed into your NVR:
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Step 1:
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Firstly, you’ll need to locate and remove the screws that secure the NVR’s casing to the base so that you can access the inside of it. Typically, you’ll find two of these screws on the back of the unit and, depending on the NVR model, more on the sides – Do not lose these screws!​

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Step 2:
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Once inside, your NVR will look something like this. The parts in here you’ll need to identify are the:​

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Now look at your HDD – fewer things to identify here:​

Step 3:
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Get your hard drive and NVR connected – You can screw the drive into its bay in NVR first if you wish, but it’s normally easier to wire everything up first. Plug one end of the SATA interface cable into the HDD and the other into the corresponding port on the motherboard, then do the same with the SATA power cable. If the power cable has come already connected to the motherboard, then just plug the other end into the HDD’s SATA power port.​

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Step 4:
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You now just need to screw the HDD into the bottom of the NVR via the screw holes located in the HDD and corresponding holes in the HDD bay (insert the screws from underneath the NVR into the HDD inside – it can be a bit fiddly).​

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Step 5:
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Finally, screw the NVR’s casing back onto the base. Your HDD is now installed and ready to be formatted during the initial NVR setup, which is explained in Part 2.​

Part 2: How do I complete the basic setup of my Hikvision NVR?

You now need to configure the NVR so that it’s ready to connect to your network. Don’t worry – this is simpler than it sounds. This initial setup is simplest when done on the local GUI, using a directly connected monitor. The following steps walk you through this initial setup process:

Note – Avoid plugging anything into the back of the NVR until instructed to do so in this tutorial.

Firstly, you’ll need to look at the back of your NVR and make sure you can identify the following parts that are needed for this stage:
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[1] – PoE (Power over Ethernet) ports (Most Hikvision NVRs have PoE ports which will power any camera via the network cable. Those that do not will require you to connect the camera across remotely, using a separate PoE injector or switch for power.)
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[2] – VGA display port
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[3] – HDMI display port
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[4] – USB port(s) (and mouse – one should come included with the NVR)
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[5] – LAN port (and ethernet cable – Cat5e or Cat6 is fine)
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[6] – Kettle power socket (the power lead is included with the NVR)​

Now, follow these steps. It is easier if you leave your cameras disconnected until prompted later in this guide:

Step 1:
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Plug the kettle plug into the power inlet to connect the NVR to a power supply.​

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Step 2:
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Connect your NVR to a display (this can be any monitor or television) by connecting either an HDMI or VGA cable from the monitor to the corresponding port in the back of the NVR.​

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Step 3:
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Plug your USB mouse into one of the NVR’s USB ports.​

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Step 4:
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Use an ethernet cable to connect your NVR to your local network – Plug one end of the cable into the RJ45 ports into a network access point (such as an ethernet port on your router), and the other into the LAN port in the back of your NVR.​

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Step 5:
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Turn the NVR on and let it boot up. Ignore the beeping noise, it’s completely normal and just the NVR telling you that it isn’t properly configured yet.​

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You may get a prompt to adjust the NVR’s resolution to match the connected display, click “yes” to view everything in the best resolution supported by your display.​

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Step 6:

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Set your language when prompted.​

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Step 7:
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Set a password for the NVR , as well as a “Channel Default Password”, which will be passed onto any inactive device that is directly connected to the NVR’s PoE ports. We recommend keeping these passwords the same for simplicity’s sake. It’s key that you set a password that the NVR defines as strong and that you remember this password, as resetting the passwords on Hikvision devices can be a hassle that you want to avoid, if possible.​

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Note – If you have lost your password then please see our guide on How to Reset the Password of your Hikvision Camera/NVR in 5 steps using the SADP Tool​

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Step 8:
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Now set a valid “reserved email” address for the NVR, which Hikvision will use for verification if you need to reset your password.​

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Step 9:
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Next, set an unlock pattern of your choice by using your mouse to draw any shape you like – you will be asked to do this twice to confirm the pattern. This will be used to quickly login to your NVR in the local GUI.​

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Step 10:
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Now, set your time zone, your preferred date format, and date/time.​

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Step 11:

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On the Network Setup page:​

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Leave the “NIC Type” as it is.​

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Either leave the “Enable Obtain DNS Server” box ticked, or untick it and use one these recommended public DNS servers.​

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It is best to leave the “Enable DHCP” box unticked here. Instead, set the “IPv4 Address” of the NVR to an unused IP address on your network, which is within your gateway’s range. Your Gateway will typically be the IP address of your router. E.g. if your router’s IP address is “192.168.1.1”, you’ll want to give the NVR an IP address within the range of “192.168.1.x”, where “x” is any unused address between “2” and “254”.​

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Note – DHCP can be left on during this stage of the setup to automatically assign your NVR an open IP address if you like, just be sure to turn it off again once your system up and running. To disable it again once set up, just go to: ​

System/Configuration→ Network → TCP/IP → DHCP Off → Apply​

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Input the Subnet Mask of your network (typically it’s “255.255.255.0”) and “IPv4 Default Gateway”. If you’re unsure of these, see the below articles which explain how to check what they are and if a particular IP address is available:​

How to setup Hikvision IP CCTV System

How-to: How do I find my router and PC’s IP address using a Windows PC?​

How-to: How do I find my router and Mac’s IP address using a Mac?​

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The “Internal NIC IPv4 Address” can be left as it is, this just refers to the NVR’s own LAN address (so Plug and Play cameras will use IP addresses on this range).​

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Step 12:
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You can now stop the annoying bleeping! Select your hard drive(s) from the list and click “Init” to format it, and then “Next” when the formatting has completed.​

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Note – This will completely wipe the drive, so please make sure that any that are being reused to not have data that you might need on them. ​

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Step 13:

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The next page is for the Camera Setup. As mentioned earlier, we recommend connecting any cameras after the NVR setup process has completed, so you can skip this page.​

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Note – Please see part 4 for the instructions for adding cameras to your NVR after the initial setup. ​

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Step 14:
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You will now be taken to the platform access page. Again, skip through and leave this for now.​

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Note – Please see part 12 for adding the NVR to the Hik-Connect app, which revisits this page. ​

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Step 15:
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Finally, you’ll be taken to the Change Password page and given the option to set a new admin password. Ignore this, unless you actually want to change your password. Remember, your admin password is different from your activation password, which you’ll need to use when activating individual cameras on your network.​

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Click “Exit” and “Yes” on the “Exit Wizard” popup.​

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That’s the initial setup of your NVR complete. You should now be taken to the NVR’s live view page (you won’t see your cameras until these are connected in Part 4), with your main navigation menu at the top of the screen.​

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Part 3: How do I find my Hikvision device and edit its network settings?

You probably want to be able to view your camera feeds remotely wherever you are; either in a web browser, the iVMS-4200 software, or the Hik-Connect mobile app. All IP CCTV devices communicate over your LAN (local network) and have a unique location on the network. So, you will need to be able to locate where the device you want to view is and make sure it has the right settings for it to work on your LAN. You will then be able to access the device from a PC or mobile device, and connect it with the rest of your CCTV system.

Please follow the steps beneath to find and correctly set your Hikvision device’s network settings.
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Step 1:
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The first step is to work out if you need Hikvision’s SADP tool or not. If you only need to discover and access an NVR and some Plug and Play cameras connected directly to its PoE ports, then you don’t need to use it.​

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If you aren’t using the SADP tool:​

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Or, on the NVR’s local GUI (Graphical User Interface – when operating the recorder from a connected monitor and mouse), go to:​

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System → Network → TCP/IP​

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Here, you can view and change the NVR’s network settings to match your LAN which is explained in step 2 – you can then ignore the rest of the steps.​

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If you are using SADP:​

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If your cameras are connected to your LAN, rather than to an NVR’s PoE ports, you will need to install the SADP tool. This scans for all Hikvision devices on your LAN by their MAC addresses. Now, follow steps 2-5 below.​

Step 2:

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You now need to identify some of your LAN’s settings, which you need to set to match on your devices.​

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From a Window’s PC, you will need to use the Command Prompt tool to find these.​

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If you’re using a Mac, then you can find these by launching System Preferences, and then going to:​

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Network → Advanced (make sure your Wi-Fi/Ethernet connection is selected on the LHS) → TCP/IP​

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Make a note of the following numbers, as you will need to use them when changing your device’s network settings:​

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IPv4 Address – This is the IP address of the computer that you are using. This address is therefore already occupied, so you will not be able to assign any other devices to this specific address. The digits after the final decimal point indicate where the device is located within the range of your local network, which spans 1-254. You’ll need to change the number after the third period (or full stop/dot) to something that is between “1” and “254” and not already occupied by another device on the LAN.​

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NB – Please see these guides for instructions on checking if a proposed IP address is occupied:​

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How-to: How do I find my router and PC’s IP address using a Windows PC?​

How-to: How do I find my router and Mac’s IP address using a Mac?​

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Subnet Mask – This shouldn’t need to be changed on the NVR, it will usually be “255.255.255.0”.​

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Default Gateway – This is the IP address that’s been assigned to your router. Any device being added to your system needs to be within the range of your gateway in order to be discoverable.​

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Step 3:

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Now, launch the SADP tool again. It should show a list of all the Hikvision devices on your local network and their default network settings. Provided the device is being powered and has a connection to your LAN, then it will show up here. You can also alter the device’s network settings here, and check things like the model number, serial number, the firmware version installed on it.​

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NB – Remember that any camera that is directly connected to your NVR’s PoE ports will not show up in SADP. This is because the NVR hides any cameras directly connected to it from SADP on its own “subnet”, which is separate from your local network. Don’t worry though, as you won’t need to change the settings for these cameras. ​

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Step 4:

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Tick the box beside your device to view and edit the network settings.​

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If the device hasn’t yet been connected to the network then it will show as “Inactive”. You will be asked to set a password for it when you click the tick-box for it. For more instructions on activating your device, please see Part 6.​

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Once activated, ticking the box beside your device will change the network settings in the “Modify Network Parameters” window, so that they match your LAN. You need to make sure that you enter the password for that device before clicking “Modify” for these changes to be saved.​

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Step 5:
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Check that these changes have been reflected in the SADP device table – you may need to wait a few minutes before refreshing. If they have, then you should be to carry on with getting this device connected to the rest of your system.​

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NB – If you aren’t the camera’s first owner then you will need to perform a hard reset on it. This will reset the device to its inactive factory state so that you can set new password by activating the camera in SADP. Once this has been done, SADP will allow you to modify each network setting edit the network settings to match your LAN so that you can use the device standalone or add it to your NVR remotely.

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Part 4: How do I add a Hikvision device to my NVR?

There are a couple of methods for getting your IP camera connected and recording to your NVR:
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Plug and Play – This is the most popular and simplest method for smaller setups, as all you need to do is plug your camera straight into the PoE ports in a Hikvision NVR. The NVR will then do the rest of the work. Please note that for Plug and Play to work, the device will need to be inactive or activated with the same password as the NVR.​

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Remote connection via IP – If you can’t have a wired connection to the NVR, you can instead remotely add a camera on the same network as your NVR to it using the camera’s IP address. For this to work, you will need to make sure to do two things:​

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1. Replace the power supply that would normally come from the NVR’S PoE ports. Using a PoE switch or injector is usually the best way, as it means you can still add power to the device over the same ethernet cable used for everything else. If not, most will let you connect to a separate PSU.​

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2. You have connected the camera and NVR to the same LAN and that its network settings are correct for the LAN’s range.​

The following steps will guide you through adding new devices using both of these methods. Part 1 covers doing this on the NVR’s local interface (GUI) and part 2 covers how to do this remotely using a web browser.
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Method 1 – Via the NVR’s GUI:

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Step 1:​

On the NVR 4.0 menu at the top of the screen, go to:​

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Camera → Hover over the desired channel → Click on ‘Edit’ (small icon in the bottom-left corner of channel thumbnail)​

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Step 2:​

An edit window should appear, fill out the fields to add your camera as follows:​

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Option 1 – Using “Plug and Play”​

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Connect the camera to the corresponding PoE port number on the NVR (I.e. D1 corresponds to port 1). Then, just select “Plug-and-Play” from the “Adding Method” dropdown, and then click OK to add the camera to that channel – the camera feed should appear after a few seconds to confirm that it’s been picked up.​

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Note – If you haven’t activated and set a password on the device in SADP, then the IP address should automatically work. The password will be the Activation Password set on your NVR in the initial setup.​

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Option 2 – Adding manually via IP​

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Change the “Adding Method” to “Manual”, which will let you alter the other fields.​

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Now edit the other fields to point your NVR to the camera’s location on the network, like below:​

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Adding Method – Select “Manual”.​

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IP Camera Address – Enter your camera’s IP address here (as explained in the introduction, this will need to match the range of your LAN).​

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Protocol – Select the device’s manufacturer if it is on the list, or “ONVIF” if it is an ONVIF conformant product.​

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Management Port – “8000” by default will work fine, or whatever you’ve set the device’s Server Port to if it’s been changed.​

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Channel Port – This refers to the channel that you want to add the camera to, so leave this as the corresponding number for the channel that you would like to edit.​

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Transfer Protocol – Set this to “Auto”.​

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Username – The username you set up when activating the device, usually “admin”.​

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Password – The camera’s password, which you will have set when it was first activated.​

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Use Channel Default Password – If you have assigned the NVR and camera the same password during their activation, then you tick this box. This will use the NVR’s password to add the camera and will save you from entering it again in the future.​

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Enable IP Camera Time Sync – Tick this, as it means the camera will synchronise with the time set on the NVR.​

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Use Default Port – You can leave this unticked, as you have specified the management port already.​

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Verify Certificate – Leave this box unticked too.​

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Click OK to save your changes, the NVR should pick the camera up after a few seconds and show the feed on that channel’s thumbnail to confirm this.​

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Step 3:​

To rename the camera, go to:​

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Camera → Display​

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Then, select the camera’s channel from the dropdown, and use the field below to set a new name.​

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Click “Apply” to save your changes.​

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Step 4:​

You may want to rearrange the Live View screen to show the new camera on a particular tile. To do this, first, go to:​

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System → Live View → View​

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Then, select the output port for your connected display that you would like to show the camera on, click on the selected tile and then double-click on the new camera to add it to that tile.​

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You can select different layout options, or create a customised layout using the toolbar at the bottom of the page.​

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Click “Apply” to save the new layout.​

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To check the new layout, launch “Live View” using the NVR’s main menu, and then select that layout using the toolbar in the bottom right-hand corner.​

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Method 2 – In a web browser:

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Step 1: ​

Browse for NVR’s IP address in a web browser, and log in with your username and password for it.​

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Step 2:​

Now, navigate to:​

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Configuration → System → Camera Management → IP Camera​

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You’ll be shown a table of all the NVR’s channels, showing which are occupied by cameras, and which aren’t.​

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These channels normally correspond to the same-numbered PoE ports on the back of the NVR.​

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Click on the channel that you want to add your device to, and then the “modify” button above the table.​

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Step 3:​

A window titled “IP Camera” should appear allowing you to change the “Adding Method” and “IP Camera Address” set for that channel.

If you haven’t already, you will need to make sure that the camera has a valid IP address and correct network settings for your LAN’s range.
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Option 1 – using “Plug and Play”:
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You just need to make sure that:​

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Note – If you haven’t activated and set a password on the device in SADP prior to connecting it to the NVR, then the IP address should automatically work and the password will be the “Channel Default Password” set on your NVR in the initial setup (see step 7 here)​

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Option 2 – Adding manually via IP:​

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Change the Adding Method to Manual, which should let you alter the other fields.​

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Now alter the other fields to point your NVR to the camera’s location on the LAN, like below:​

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IP Camera Address – Insert the camera’s IP address​

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Protocol – Select the brand of your camera here, or ONVIF if it is ONVIF conformant and the manufacturer doesn’t appear in this list.​

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Management Port – This is the camera’s network port, which is usually 8000 by default.​

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Username – The username that you set for the camera, which is usually “admin”.​

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Password – The password assigned to the camera upon activation in SADP. If you have automatically activated the camera by plugging it into your NVR’s PoE ports, this will the the “Channel Default Password” set during the NVR setup.​

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Confirm: Retype this password.​

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Transfer Protocol: This is fine for you to leave as “Auto”.​

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Green ticks should appear beside each field to indicate that what’s inside is valid. Once completed, you can click “OK”:​

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The “Security” column should be “Strong” and “Status” should change to “Online” on the “IP Camera” page – If they do, then you’re finished, just return to the Live View page to check that the camera’s feed is now visible.

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Note – Clicking the “Start All Live View” button in the toolbar at the bottom of this page will show all of your working cameras feeds at the same time.​

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Click on other pages for more.

How to add an NVR in FusionPro

Users now have the ability to add NVRs to their account, as well as adding cameras to the NVR.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We recommend that the cameras are first configured individually and then added to the ClareVision app before adding them through FusionPro. This ensures that the password is reset on the camera. If attempting to add the camera in FusionPro with a 6-character password or less (which is the default) it will fail.

To add a new NVR:

1. Access the desired FusionPro account and click to add a new device.
   Desired Account > Devices tab > Add Devices > Cameras > (Select an NVR type)
   
2. Enter all the required info (IP address, username, password) and select the desired channels.
   
3. Click Create Device.

   Devices are created until an error occurs. If an error occurs, device creation will stop and it notes which channels were successfully added. If the user accidentally checked a channel that is not in use, simply uncheck the problematic channel and click Create Device.

   If the user returns to the add device screen and enters the IP of an existing NVR, the existing channels are displayed.

To add a camera to an existing NVR:

1. Follow the steps above for adding a camera.
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   Edit an existing camera on the NVR.
2. Scroll down to the NVR Cameras table.
3. Click on an unconfigured row.
   
4. Re-enter the username and password and click Save.
   You can also navigate to any NVR channel device from another NVR channel device by clicking Edit in the NVR Cameras table of a configured channel.

To delete an NVR camera:

1. Go to the Devices tab.
2. Select the checkbox for the desired camera, and then select Delete in the Select an Action drop-down.

Read Next : ClareVision Camera and NVR Firmware

ClareVision FAQ

Cameras, NVRs, and ClareVision App Frequently Asked Questions

CAMERAS

Does Clare plan to release any WiFi cameras?

Yes, they are available as of Q1 2022.  Check them out in the SnapOne store.

Are your cameras NDAA compliant?

Yes, the ClareVision product line is compliant with NDAA regulations.

Are your cameras ETL listed?

Yes, our cameras are ETL/ETL-C listed.

Are your cameras ONVIF Compliant?

Yes, ClareVision cameras are compliant with Profile S and T.

What is the difference between the Value Series, Performance series, and Color at Night?

The Value Series is intended to service accounts with basic surveillance requirements without sacrificing video quality and reliability. You will find the value series in the same high quality IP67 housings as the performance series and the video performance to be outstanding. The Performance Series adds:

• True Wide Dynamic Range (120db)
• Smart Events (Intrusion, line crossing, loitering, people gathering)
• Sony® Starvis image sensors for improved low light performance
• Higher power on-board processor which will allow new smart event processing features in the future

Color at Night cameras feature everything included in Performance Series cameras with the added benefit of a warm white LED light that can illuminate the scene and produce vivid color in night time settings. This allows for important details to be captured that are normally lost with IR night vision cameras such as vehicle colors, facial features, licence plates, etc.

Do all cameras come with SD Cards?

No. The 2MP and 4MP Value Series and 4MP Performance series come with pre-installed SD cards. The 8MP and varifocal Performance Series cameras do not come with SD cards. SD Cards are available for purchase should you need to add or upgrade capacity.

What can I store on the SD Card?

The SD card is intended for event storage, but you can configure normal (full time) record as well. You can only record ONE event type to record on the SD card: basic motion, smart events, OR normal record. NVR’s do not have this restriction.

What is the lapse time for the SD Card, and will it loop back?

The SD card in the 2MP is 16GB and 32GB in the 4MP cameras (both Performance and Value). For the 4MP cameras, if the defaults in the camera are left unchanged, you will be able to record approximately 18 hours of fulltime video or just over 1,000 on minute events. If the compression is changed to H.265, you will be able to store about 36 hours of fulltime video or 2,000 one-minute events. The 2mp will last slightly longer.  The default setting for the cameras is loop-back enabled, meaning the camera will overwrite the oldest stored video once it runs out of storage space (FIFO).

Can I use the SD card as a ‘backup’ to the NVR by storing events locally and fulltime record and events on the NVR?

Yes. Camera recording can be set up independent from NVR recording.

What wall brackets and junction boxes are compatible with ClareVision cameras?

You can see a complete list of all ClareVision wall brackets and junction boxes, as well as cameras they are compatible with HERE.

Why is my camera recording full time when it’s configured for motion only?

All 4M V100 cameras (part number CLR-V100-4X36X) record full time and tag the motion events in the time line when motion occurs.

What are some of the important default settings I should know?

ClareVision have been configured for best out-of-box settings and experience. The default settings should be ‘ready to go’ for 90% of applications reducing training and field installation errors. The important settings are as follows:

• FPS: 15
• Compression: H.264
• IR: automatic
• WDR (when available): off
• Time: NTP time server on, refresh every 10 min, Eastern Time Zone, DST on
• Motion Record: enabled, 7 days, 24 hours a day
• Motion Events: enabled, 7 days, 24 hours a day
• Smart Events: disabled

Do any of the ClareVision cameras include built in microphones or I/O connections?

Yes, please refer to the following article for a complete list. CLICK HERE.

What is the password process and what if I lose it?

The default password is the first six characters of the UUID. The first time you log into the camera from the web console you will be prompted to change the password. You will be prompted with setting up security questions and offered to download an encryption key for password recovery. Either those questions or the encryption key can be used to reset the password. If you do not take these steps and store this information, the only way to recover the camera is a physical factory restore. (See manual). When that is done, the camera will restore to factory default settings allowing you to enter the first fix digits of the UUID as the password.

I use Hikvision, is there an ‘activation key’?

There is no ‘activation key’ for the ClareVision cameras.

What is the difference between the calendar in the storage settings menu and the calendar in the events menu?

The events menu is essentially an ‘arming’ feature. In order to propagate events to the mobile app, linked services (e.g., relays, FTP, email), or to record you need to arm an event type. The configuration of the event along with the event calendar control the CONFIGURATION of the event (e.g., H/M/L sensitivity, motion area) and the time of day / day of week the camera will trigger on an event. The event ‘arming’ controls when and how an event happens, and no other system or service will receive those events without this feature set up. The record calendar simply controls when events (or normal video) will be recorded provided they are armed at that time.

What do you recommend I do for setup with the two calendars?

The flexibility of these calendars is virtually endless, but in a majority of use cases we recommend the following:

• Set the record calendar to 7×24 record for the event type you wish to record.
• Use the event calendar to control when an event will be triggered which will in turn control when it is recorded.

How does all this relate to the mobile app and the user experience?

The event ‘arming’ controls the propagation of the event to the mobile app via push notifications. This is INDEPENDENT from whether the event is recorded. The recording under storage management controls what ends up on the SD Card which is where the mobile app goes for the event history. We cannot stress this enough: keep the storage settings calendar set to 7×24 and use the event calendar to control when a motion event (example) is triggered (push notification) and stored to the SD card (event lookup in the mobile app). If you do not do that you risk having a push notification sent to the user with no recording to view when they go to the event log.

Why then are the event arming schedules and record schedules separate?

There are plenty of use cases where you may want to record on a different schedule than the arming schedule. This can be common in more complex installs where the linkage feature for event arming is used. (see manual for more information).

What are Smart Events and how do they work?

Smart Events are events that require the presence of a human to trigger. They are also specific in nature: intrusion zone, line crossing, loiter, people gather.

What is the difference between a Motion Event and a Smart Intrusion Event?

You can essentially use the Smart Intrusion event to reduce false triggers if the primary interest is detecting the presence of a person. Motion events use a typical grid pattern and sensitivity settings to control which areas of the field of view are analyzed for motion and at what sensitivity. A car, dog, or any real motion in the included field of view will trigger an event. A smart intrusion event is set up by drawing a box around the area of interest, setting the sensitivity and detection type. Once configured, a human will have to enter the intrusion zone for the event to trigger.

How do I power the cameras?

Nearly all ClareVision cameras (excluding CLR-V100-4B36WF-W and CLR-V100-4T36WF-W) are PoE AF and do not require PoE+ (PoE AT). You can also power the cameras with a 12V DC 1amp power supply (not included).

Do the cameras support remote access?

The cameras support remote access via the mobile app via Clare’s free P2P service. Additionally, you may use Dynamic DNS or configure the local router to enable remote web access.

How do I predict the storage and bandwidth required for an installation?

You may use the Clare bandwidth and storage calculator located HERE to calculate your bandwidth and storage requirements for a project.

How do the cameras receive firmware updates?

All Clare cameras can be updated via the ClareVision OTA server using the mobile app. This is the easiest way to update the cameras. Update notices happen two different ways:

• Upon adding the camera to the app, the app will check the OTA server for a firmware update and, if available, require the user to download the update.
• Once added, if the camera is eligible for an update an icon will appear in the live view indicating there is an available update. Updates are in the device configuration dropdown under “Device Information”.

Which browsers does Clare support?

Currently, ClareVision cameras and NVRs support Google Chrome and Edge browsers.

Is there a Control4 driver for ClareVision cameras?

Yes. The Control4 driver supports live view and events including motion events and smart events. SDDP is not currently supported but will be released along with OVRC support before the end of 2021.

Is there a ClareOne driver for ClareVision cameras?

Yes. The ClareVision driver supports live view on the mobile app and ClareOne panel as well as motion and smart event propagation for automation rules and notifications.

Are the ClareVision cameras/NVRs OVRC enabled?

Currently, only ClareVision NVRs support OvrC. OvrC Support for cameras will be coming at a later date.

Do I need to do port forwarding?

No. ClareVision cameras and NVRs do not require any port forwarding.

NETWORK VIDEO RECORDERS (NVRS)

Are your NVR’s NDAA compliant?

Yes, ClareVision products are in full compliance with the NDAA regulations.

Which browsers does Clare support?

ClareVision NVR’s currently support Google Chrome and Edge browsers.

Can I record normal video (full time), smart events and motion events on independent schedules?

Yes. Recording schedules are controlled under storage management.

How much storage is on an NVR?

The 4-Channel has 1TB, the 8-Channel has 2TB and the 16-channel (upcoming) has 4TB of HDD storage on-board. The 4-channel and 8-channel support one HDD up to 8TB’s. The 16-channel supports up to 2 HDD or 16TB’s of total capacity

Do your NVR’s support outboard storage?

Yes. They support USB drives and NAS drives.

I see you list your NVR’s as 4, 8 and 16 channel but the camera support figures are higher, please explain?

The model ID for the NVR (e.g., 4-channel) is the number of PoE ports on-board. The channel support listed in the data sheet is the actual number of cameras the NVR will support. The four channel will support 9 cameras, the 8 channel will support 16 cameras and the 16 channel will support 25 cameras.

Keep in mind the cameras supported number is a license number and is not an absolute support figure. The incoming and outgoing bandwidth of the NVR will dictate the number of cameras the NVR can support in a real application. The bandwidth calculations are impacted by VBR settings, compression settings, framerate settings, motion in the field of view among other factors.

Does your NVR support 4K?

Yes. The NVR output is 4K. If the camera is not a 4K camera, the NVR will up-sample the video to 4K as it passes video to the HDMI port. The NVR will record up to 4k (8MP) camera streams.

Do your NVR’s have sensor inputs and relay outputs?

Yes. There are 16 sensor inputs and 4 relay outputs on the 16 channel NVR.

Does the NVR expose the camera settings for easy setup?

Yes, the NVR provides access to nearly all camera settings via the NVR web UI.

Is there a Control4 driver for the NVR?

Yes, the Control4 driver supports live view. If you would like events from a camera on the NVR, connect the camera to the NVR on the general LAN and not the PoE ports. When that is done, the camera driver can be used to directly access the cameras.

Is there a ClareOne Driver for the NVR?

Yes, the ClareOne driver supports live view. If you would like events from a camera on the NVR, connect the camera to the NVR on the general LAN and not the PoE ports. When that is done, the camera driver can be used to directly access the cameras.

Are the ClareVision NVR’s OVRC enabled?

Yes. ClareVision NVRs feature native OvrC Support.

Do the ClareVision NVR’s work with legacy ClareVision Plus cameras?

Yes. We have tested all ClareVision Plus cameras on the ClareVision NVR’s. They will add as ‘ONFIV’ cameras.

Do the ClareVision NVR’s work with Luma cameras?

Yes. We have tested products from each Luma category on the ClareVision NVR’s. They will add as ‘ONVIF’ cameras.

When a ClareVision Plus camera or Luma camera are connected to a ClareVision NVR, which app do I use?

Connecting a ClareVision Plus camera, Luma camera (or ONVIF camera) to a ClareVision NVR enables the ClareVision app to gain access to the cameras for purposes of live view and event playback. The live view NVR integration to ClareOne and Control4 will also function. In effect, the ClareVision NVR ‘adapts’ a ClareVision Plus or third party ONVIF camera to the ClareVision cloud. You can use this technique to take over camera systems that are ONVIF compliant and bring them to the Clare Cloud!

Can I add or change a ClareVision NVR hard disk drive?

Yes, the four, eight and sixteen channel NVR’s have 1TB, 2TB and 4TB hard disk drives pre-installed. The four and eight channel NVR’s can support one hard disk drive up to 8TB. The sixteen channel NVR has four drive bays total and ships with 1 4TB HDD pre-installed. The sixteen channel NVR can be equipped with up to four 8TB internal hard disk drives, or 32TB’s total storage. Additionally, the sixteen channel NVR has an external SATA port for connection to external hard disk arrays. The warranty is not voided when you change or upgrade hard disk drives.

What manufacturer and model hard drives are recommended?

Clare installs and recommends Toshiba DT series hard disk drives designed for surveillance applications.

CLAREVISION APP

Which operating systems is the app available on?

The ClareVision App is available on the Google Play store for Android and Apple App store for iOS.

Does the mobile app support NVR’s and cameras?

Yes. There is a different view for NVR’s (grid view) than cameras. The features and actions are nearly identical other than the device presentation.

How do I add cameras to the mobile app?

Adding cameras is extremely simple in ClareVision. Tap the “+” sign on the home page, tap ‘device is on the network’ if you are on the same network as the camera (e.g., home LAN), the app will scan the local network for all unattached cameras and NVR’s and produce a list of cameras for inclusion. Select the camera you would like to add and enter the password. You can now access the camera for live view and view all stored events on the camera or NVR.

How do I configure the mobile app or cameras for remote viewing?

No configuration required. Once you add the device to the mobile app, the Camera is enabled in the ClareVision cloud automatically.

Can I add a camera remotely?

Yes.  Tap the “+” button on the home screen and either scan the UUID or enter it by hand, enter the password and done.

I have noticed there are very few configuration options for camera events in the mobile app. Why is that?

That was intentional. Most pro-style apps do not provide configuration features in the end user mobile app. We did not want the user to inadvertently alter the configuration you enabled thereby causing a service visit. We will gradually enable end user configuration when that feature (e.g., motion) can be completely displayed to the end user and you can remotely view the changes and correct them in the event a user configured something incorrectly.

Which events are supported by the mobile app at launch?

Motion events are supported at launch. Smart events are not. We expect to release smart events support before the end of Q2 2021.

Can I search for a recording or event by date/time?

Yes, tap ‘Filter’ in the event log to filter by event type and/or date/time.

I see you still have ClareHome/ClareOne and now ClareVision. What do I need to do to enable the best consumer experience?

While there are several ways to configure a ClareOne/ClareVision system, we recommend the following sequence as a guide to best practices:

During the setup of the ClareOne panel via FusionPro, go to the “Add Devices” tab and select Cameras. When in that screen FusionPro/ClareOne will scan the local network for ClareVision Cameras and produce a list of devices you may add. In that screen, each camera discovered on the network includes a configuration web console link. Use that link to connect to the ClareVision Camera(s) or NVR web interface.

Use the web console for the cameras or NVR to set the password and configure the camera/NVR including event arming and recording schedules

Once complete, enter the new device username (default admin) and the new;y changed password in FusionPro to enable the camera(s) and NVR in ClareOne.

Once the cameras are installed, have the user download the ClarOne/ClareHome app and the ClareVision app. Once the user has signed into the ClarHome app and added the desired cameras to the ClareVision app the two apps will deep link.

A deep link action happens when a user taps the ClareHome camera icon on the favorites page. Doing so will automatically take the user to the ClareVision app to that camera’s live feed. Tapping the back arrow in Android or the app name in the upper left corner of an iOS device will return the user to ClareHome/ClareOne.

Why did you release ClareVision on a second app?

After a great deal of deliberation, we determined that the stand-alone use cases for the camera line did not need the burden of the entire ClareHome application, and that through deep linking we could create a near ‘single app’ experience for the user when both systems are present.

Where else is deep linking used?

Everywhere. Any app you use where you touch an icon or hyperlink uses deep linking to take you to the destination app/web site. The most well-known example of deep linking is Facebook and Facebook Messenger. The messaging app is an independent app from the base Facebook app and uses deep linking to provide a seamless user experience.

Will there be a single account in the future for users with ClareOne and ClareVision?

Yes. We are working hard to provide a single-sign-on experience for the Clare Ecosystem.

Is there a monthly fee for ClareVision services?

No. The P2P service and all cloud services are free of charge. We encourage dealers to charge for this service as part of your recurring monthly fee however making 100% of your service fee drop to your bottom line!

ClareVision Cameras Quick Start Guide

Introduction

The ClareVision camera line includes Value, Performance, and Varifocal series cameras which are available in bullet, dome, and turret forms. This guide covers the setup process for using these cameras standalone with only the ClareVision App and how to add them to work with the ClareOne Panel and ClareHome App.

FAQ’s, Best Practices, and How-To’s:

How do I configure ClareVision WiFi Cameras?

How can I fix streaming issues when viewing a camera feed in the ClareVision App?

What video encoding does the ClareOne Panel or Control4 system support?

How do I configure Smart Events like humanoid detection?

How do I set up Cloud Storage for ClareVision cameras?

Understanding Recording Schedules vs. Arming Schedules on ClareVision Cameras

Part 1 of 3: ClareVision Camera Setup:

1.  Download the IP Search Tool to your computer and launch the program.

2. Ensure your computer is connected to the same network as the cameras to discover all the cameras available on the network.

3. Copy the IP Address of the camera you would like to start configuring and paste it into your web browser to open the camera console. (We highly recommend you use Internet Explorer for optimal performance).

4.  Enter default camera username and password.

 5.  You will be prompted to change the default password. Please have the primary user change the password and write it down on the back of the Installation Manual that came with the camera. Leave this manual with the primary user for future technical servicing.

6.  Have the user select and input their security questions for password recovery. We also recommend that the password reset key be downloaded and emailed to the primary user for safe keeping in the event that the password and security reset answers are lost.

 

5.  FusionPro will search the network for compatible cameras and display a list of all available cameras found.

“The stream is encrypted. Please go to the Local Configuration interface to set the Encryption Key and restart live view.”

Seen as a pop-up in the bottom right hand corner of your screen, when trying to access the video streams from HikVision cameras on Live View.

Navigate to Configuration –> Advanced Settings –> and set the encryption key (verification code).

The ‘key’ that you need to enter is actually the “Verification Code” that you set when you enabled and set up the Platform Access for Hik-Connect.

i.e. the Verification code that you entered here:

You need to enter this verification code / encryption key via the web browser of any PC (even on the same LAN) that you wish to access the NVR from.

You will need to enter the code / key here:

You then need to disable encrypted streaming on the recorder itself.

This can only be done (enabled/disabled) via a monitor directly connected to your NVR.

You will need to navigate to Configuration –> Network –> Access Platform and un-tick “Enable Stream Encryption”.

You should now be able to see the “live view” in your web browser.