Introduction

Panasonic Security Systems are renowned for their reliability and advanced features, offering top-notch security solutions for both residential and commercial properties. This comprehensive manual guide will walk you through every aspect of using a Panasonic Security System, ensuring you get the most out of your investment. From installation to troubleshooting, we’ve got you covered.

Table of Contents

Understanding Panasonic Security Systems

Panasonic Security Systems offer a wide range of features designed to provide robust security for homes and businesses. These systems include high-definition cameras, advanced motion detectors, and user-friendly control panels, ensuring comprehensive protection.

Overview

Panasonic Security Systems come in various models tailored to meet different security needs. Whether you need a simple setup for a small apartment or a complex system for a large business, Panasonic has a solution.

Features and Benefits

Choosing the Right Panasonic Security System

Selecting the right security system involves considering various factors such as the size of your property, specific security needs, and budget.

Factors to Consider

Product Comparison

Panasonic offers several models with different features. Compare specifications to find the best fit for your needs.

Pre-Installation Planning

Proper planning is essential to ensure a smooth installation process.

Site Survey

Conduct a thorough site survey to identify the best locations for cameras and sensors.

Equipment Requirements

List all necessary equipment and ensure compatibility with your Panasonic Security System.

Panasonic i-PRO SmartHD Security Cameras Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhBQZjmQFEM

Installing Your Panasonic Security System

Follow this step-by-step guide for installing your security system.

Step-by-Step Guide

Tools Needed

Setting Up Your Panasonic Security System

Once installed, configure your system for optimal performance.

Initial Configuration

Network Setup

Understanding the Control Panel

The control panel is the heart of your security system.

Key Functions

User Interface

The interface is designed to be intuitive, making it easy to navigate through settings and options.

Adding and Managing Devices

Expand your system by adding more devices.

Cameras

Install additional cameras to cover more areas.

Sensors

Add motion detectors, door/window sensors, and other accessories.

Customizing Security Settings

Tailor the system to your specific needs.

Alerts and Notifications

Set up custom alerts for different types of events.

User Permissions

Manage who has access to your security system.

Using the Panasonic Security App

The mobile app allows you to control your system remotely.

Features

Mobile Access

Download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Monitoring and Surveillance

Keep an eye on your property at all times.

Live View

Access live footage from your cameras.

Recording and Playback

Record footage and play back important events.

Maintenance and Regular Checks

Regular maintenance ensures your system operates efficiently.

Routine Maintenance

System Health

Regularly check system health through the control panel.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Resolve common problems with these tips.

Error Messages

Understand and fix common error messages.

Connectivity Problems

Ensure a stable network connection to avoid interruptions.

Enhancing Your Security System

Improve your system by integrating with other technologies.

Integration with Other Systems

Combine with home automation or other security solutions.

Upgrades

Upgrade firmware and hardware to access new features.

Data Security and Privacy

Protect your data with these tips.

Encryption

Ensure all data is encrypted.

User Data Protection

Follow best practices to protect user information.

Understanding Warranties and Support

Know your warranty and support options.

Warranty Details

Check warranty coverage for different components.

Customer Support Options

Contact Panasonic support for any issues.

FAQs About Panasonic Security Systems

How do I reset my Panasonic Security System? To reset your system, follow the instructions in the user manual or contact customer support.

Can I integrate my Panasonic Security System with other smart devices? Yes, Panasonic systems can be integrated with various smart home devices.

What should I do if my camera stops working? Check the power supply and network connection. If the issue persists, contact support.

How often should I update my system’s firmware? Regularly check for firmware updates and install them to ensure optimal performance.

Is my footage stored locally or in the cloud? Panasonic systems offer both local and cloud storage options.

Can I access my system remotely? Yes, use the Panasonic Security App for remote access.

Advanced Features and Customization

Explore the advanced capabilities of your security system.

AI Features

Leverage AI for enhanced motion detection and facial recognition.

Custom Integrations

Customize your system with third-party integrations.

Cost Considerations and Budgeting

Plan your security investment wisely.

Cost Analysis

Compare the costs of different Panasonic models.

Budget Planning

Allocate budget for installation, maintenance, and upgrades.

Case Studies and Real-Life Applications

Learn from real-life examples.

Success Stories

Read about how others have successfully implemented Panasonic Security Systems.

Practical Uses

Discover various applications of security systems in homes and businesses.

Future Trends in Security Systems

Stay ahead with emerging technologies.

Emerging Technologies

Keep an eye on new developments in security technology.

Innovations

Explore innovative features that are shaping the future of security systems.

Conclusion

Panasonic Security Systems provide reliable and comprehensive security solutions. By following this manual guide, you can ensure your system is installed, configured, and maintained correctly, providing peace of mind and enhanced security for your property.

Our IP camera can connect directly to your network or computer, and there are three ways to do so. The three ways listed below do not require a NVR. A NVR, or Network Video Recorder, is the device that IP cameras connect to.  The NVR records video provided by the IP cameras to a hard drive, either in HD (720p, 1080p), 2K HD, or Ultra HD (4K) depending on the type of NVR and type of camera that’s being used with it.

IP cameras are network-based cameras, however they don’t require Internet access in order to be used as they are standalone devices that can be used on a local network. A simple local network can be either of the following:

1.An IP network camera connected with a network cable to your desktop computer’s network port.

2.An IP camera connected to a router that is connected to a desktop or laptop computer, but the router is not connected to the internet.

Only if you want to view your system remotely from the internet then you would have to connect the system to the Internet.

Do I need a NVR for my IP security camera system?

A NVR is not necessary in order to view your network cameras or even record video. If you are testing cameras, looking for a temporary setup or want to set up something inexpensive then using a computer with an IP camera is a good alternative to a NVR.  SmartPSS is our computer software program that allows PCs to view and record IP cameras. However, this kind of processing will demand a lot from the computer. Most likely, you wouldn’t be able to use that computer for personal use as it would be bogged down processing video from high resolution IP network cameras.  Also, computers can be unreliable and crash, potentially leaving you with no recorded video.

NVR products are standalone devices using a Linux operating system which is known to be rock-solid and crash free, and designed to be operate 24/7 and maintain system security with user account access permissions. For a complete security camera system, you will want to use a NVR along with cameras. SmartPSS software can be used as a client software to connect from a computer to a NVR to watch cameras connected to the NVR and to playback/download recorded security footage.

How to Connect IP Camera Guide 2024

Three ways to connect an IP camera to a computer

Before we begin, it is important to understand that network camera systems require the ability to transport video and power to work correctly. Power Over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that transmits video/data signal and power over one Ethernet cable. In situations where PoE isn’t available, a 12V DC power adapter will be necessary to supply power to the camera.

Secondly, you will need to use our IP finder Config Tool to find cameras on your network. For more info on basic networking knowledge as to how IP addresses matter when deploying network cameras, please read our guide about connecting security cameras to the internet.

Now, let’s discuss the three ways to to connect to an IP camera from your computer.

1.12V DC power adapter with a network cable straight into a PC

2.12V DC power to camera + network cable to router

3.Camera to PoE Switch or PoE Injector

How to Connect IP Camera to Computer

1) 12V DC power adapter with a network cable straight into a PC

a) For this method we will provide power to the camera using a 12V DC 1amp power adapter that plugs into a 110V AC outlet. Below is a picture of our trusty power adapter.

b) Next, connect a network cable from the camera to your computer.

c) Set your computer’s network port to a static IP address like 192.168.1.200 so you can talk to the camera. Here’s how you do it on a Windows Computer:

d) All newer cameras with firmware from 2018 and onward have stringent password rules that require initialization before making any configuration changes to the camera including the IP address. In order to set the password and password recovery email address you must login to the web interface of the camera. Be sure to note down and keep the credentials you are setting in a safe place that you will remember.

There are no master reset passwords for our equipment. If you forget your password, recovery email address, and security questions that you set on the camera at time of initialization, resetting the camera requires factory service which will incur out-of-warranty costs to reflash the camera.

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e) Once you have a static IP address assigned to your computer’s wired network port, turn off WiFi on your computer. You can find the camera’s current IP address by using the Config Tool as shown. Our test camera has a current IP address of 10.1.1.65. If you need to change the IP address to let’s say 192.168.1.120, you can do that by clicking on the pencil icon to edit.

Note: if you have a password other than admin set on the cameras, then you will need to enter that in the “search settings” options before attempting to edit the IP address. See the illustration below on how that is done.

f) As explained in our article connecting security cameras to the internet, for two devices on a network to talk to each other, they must have the same IP address scheme. In 1C we set our computer’s address to 192.168.1.200, so we need to set change this camera’s address to 192.168.1.X where X is a number between 2 and 254, and not same as the our computer’s current address. We picked 12, so below is a screenshot of what to set your camera’s ip address to if you are following along in our guide. Set the subnet to 255.255.255.0 and gateway to 192.168.1.1.

g) After changing your camera’s IP address to one that matches your network, type the new IP address of your camera into the URL of internet explorer. Here’s a brief example:

You can also view the camera using our PC software. If you don’t already have it, you can download SmartPSS from here. Here’s how if you already have SmartPSS installed.

In summary, the above is a quick and easy way to connect an IP camera to a computer with a hardwired network port. This is great for the following scenarios:

• You don’t have a router and want to set up a closed circuit system between a computer and a security camera.

• You are trying to test an IP camera or troubleshoot it.

• You are trying to connect to a security video recorder directly from a computer.

Most computers have only one network port, so this method can be problematic as it would use up your only network port, preventing you from having a hard-wired Internet connection. The next 2 methods will demonstrate how to set up a network camera on a network. Method 2 is for setting up a camera with a 12V DC power supply and Method 3 entails using a PoE injector or switch. The only different between these two methods is how power is supplied to the camera.

2) 12V DC power to camera + network cable to router

This method will show you how to connect an IP camera to your router and view it over a network, while supplying power to the camera using a 12V DC power adaptor.

a) Connect a 12V DC power supply to your camera and connect the power adaptor to the wall to power the camera.

b) Connect a network (Ethernet) cable from the camera to the router to establish a data connection between the camera and the router.

c) Give the camera about 2-3 minutes to boot. Use our IP Finder Config Tool to find the camera on your local area network (LAN).  Below is a screen shot of how it looks in our case.

The camera currently has an IP address of 10.1.1.65. As explained in our article connecting security cameras to the internet, for the camera to be reachable from the computer on your network, its IP address has to match the IP scheme of your network. In our case our router IP is 192.168.1.1, so we are going to have to change the IP address of the camera. To change the IP simple press the pencil icon to edit.

d) We are going to set the camera to an IP of 192.168.1.X, we chose 192.168.1.12. Before we go ahead and change the IP address, we have to think about duplicate IP addresses on the network which would create networking issues. To see if a specific IP address is available on your LAN, use the command prompt in Windows to ping the address you intend to use. Below is a video explaining how to use the ping command. You can use this command on Mac as well by using the terminal.

e) Let’s change the IP address. In our case we set it to 192.168.1.12. Subnet mask is usually 255.255.255.0 on simple networks, and the gateway is the IP address of the router. Press OK.

f)  Once the camera is assigned a new IP address, you can access the camera using your Web Browser or SmartPSS as shown in 1F above.

3) Camera to PoE Switch or PoE Injector

We discussed that PoE supplies power to the camera, so a 12V power adapter is not necessary in this scenario.

In this method you plug an ethernet cable from the camera to a PoE port on a compatible PoE switch or injector. The PoE switch or injector connects to the router.

Here’s how you connect to a PoE switch.

Here’s how you connect to a PoE injector

Again, use the Config Tool to find your camera’s IP address and change it to match your network scheme (if necessary) as described in steps 2C thru 2E. Once the camera is on the same network as your computer you can login and watch the camera as shown in Step 1F.

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Summary

At this point, you now should know a good amount about networking and have used the above mentioned steps to make your very own IP camera system using your computer and IP camera.

Viewing an IP Camera on a Smart TV

Among the many different ways that security cameras are used, we are often asked if it is possible to view an IP camera directly on a Smart TV without using a NVR recorder. With most Smart TVs on the market there is no application that is available to watch IP cameras directly on the TV. In this guide we show how to use an Android TV box by downloading an App to connect an IP camera to a Smart TV or any monitor that has an HDMI input.

All IP cameras from CCTV Camera World support a RTSP video stream that is usable by third party programs and apps. The App that we suggest you use on an Android TV box is called VLC Media Player. You can login and access the RTSP stream from an IP camera and have it display on a TV.

Keep in mind any device that can download VLC Media Player can do this process like iPhones, iPads, Android tablets, and phones.

What equipment is needed?

Here’s the list of all the equipment that is needed to connect an IP camera to a Smart TV.

1.IP camera from CCTV Camera World

2.PoE injector or 12V DC Power Adaptor to power the camera

3.Network cables to connect the camera to your computer network

4.Android TV Box from any online shopping marketplace

5.Computer network to connect the camera and Android TV Box

6.Internet connection to setup and install Apps on the Android TV box which can later be removed after the setup process is finished

7.SmartTV or Computer Monitor with HDMI input

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How to connect IP security cameras to an Android TV Box

Before you can access the stream from the camera you will need to have it connected to your computer network and verify that it’s accessible. If you purchased a standalone IP camera from CCTV Camera World the camera is likely already configured with an IP address. Check the top of the camera box for the login information label. If the camera has not been configured, or you need to set it up on your network we recommend following our How to Connect an IP Camera guide.

You will also need to set up your Android TV box on your network, consult with the manufacturer of your box to find out how to do this.

You will need your IP address, username, and password that is set on the camera in order to access it. Inside of the VLC Media Player app you can access network streams. Inside of the app navigate to adding a video source and select network stream. Using the example RTSP stream below plug in the information for your camera’s IP address and type the text into the media player URL.

rtsp://192.168.1.109:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0

After you’ve typed in the correct RTSP stream for your camera you will be required to login to your camera stream. Type in the username and password for your camera to allow the app to login to your camera stream.

If you receive an error, double check that your camera is connected to the network and you’ve typed the correct username and password. Provided the camera is set up on the network and you are able to login you should now see your camera stream inside of the VLC Media Player App.

Keep in mind that Smart Camera features cannot be used with the RTSP stream. If you would like to use Smart Detection features that your security camera may have, you will want to use an NVR to display the camera on your TV.

Watch our video below that shows the setup process described above on an Android TV box.

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Unlimited Access Anywhere, Anytime

When you combine our “Blue Line” IP Cameras with one of our compatible IP camera network video recorders you can keep an eye on your assets no matter where you are. Take advantage of the free remote viewing app to view on your cell. Use the free software to view and control you cameras on your tablet, or computer. Stay connected and have peace of mind knowing you can monitor your cameras remotely, without any additional monthly fees.

LATEST FIRMWARE UPDATES FOR YOUR DEVICE

UPDATING YOUR SECURITY CAMERA FIRMWARE

Firmware Updates

In order to do a firmware update you must first identify the EXACT model number of your DVR or NVR unit. The model number can be found on the sticker located on the bottom or side of the unit. All CCTV Security Pros model numbers begin with the prefix “CSP” (Example, CSP-XXXX). Please match your model number to the list provided below. You will also need to locate your order confirmation email to determine when the unit was purchased. Once you have identified the correct model number and firmware please continue by following the instructions below.

Blue Line IP Camera Troubleshooting v2

Upgrading Your Firmware

Please identify the correct model from the list of firmware provided below.

Please select the appropriate link and download the .bin file. Once the download is completed copy the .bin file to a USB Flash/Thumb Drive. We suggest formatting your USB drive to FAT32 before attempting the update.

**Note : Units with Build Dates of 2013 or earlier may require you to rename the file to “update.bin” before launching the upgrade.

Once the .bin file has been transferred onto your drive you can insert the USB Drive into either of the two USB ports found on your unit. One can be found on the front panel and one can be found on the rear of the unit.

Once the drive is inserted into the unit go to the following menu:

Main Menu –> Setting –> System –> Upgrade. Click Start. Find and select the .bin file you transferred to the USB Drive and Click Start.

*NOTE – On select models you will need to go to:

Main Menu–> Info –> Version –> Upgrade

The unit will now begin upgrading to the latest Firmware Revision that is available for your device. Once completed the system will reboot. After the reboot we recommend doing the following:

1) Remove the USB Drive from your system.

2) Change your passwords on your “admin” account. For assistance in altering your password please follow this link: https://www.cctvsecuritypros.com/content/pdfs/password-account-settings.pdf

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IMPORTANT: If you are having difficulty identifying the correct firmware please email us at support@cctvsecuritypros.com with your order number and unit model number.

User Account Locked

Your system will lock itself out when you or someone else has attempted to log into your DVR

with an incorrect user/password combination more than three times within 30 minutes

When this happens you have two options.

1. Wait 30 minutes after the last failed login attempt and try again.

2. Reboot the DVR by using the rear toggle switch or by unplugging.

When the unit powers back on try and login with the default username and passwords.

Username: admin

Password: admin

or

Username: 888888

Password: 888888

If neither of these passwords get you into your system you will need to email us at

Support@CCTVSecurityPros.com

and request a Master Password. Once we can confirm your

account we will happily be able to provide you with the correct login credentials.

Please have your Order Number or DVR/NVR Model Number when requesting a Master

Password.

*Note: The DVR/NVR Model Number can be found on the Bottom or Side of your system.

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IP Camera Harness Repair

If your connector looks like the ones below, moisture has gotten into your RJ45 connector. The number one cause of premature IP camera failure has to do with improper weatherproofing techniques. If caught early enough a simple cotton swab and rubbing alcohol will clean that connector right up! You may need to resort to some heavier duty electrical contact cleaner if the cotton swab method does not work.

If all else fails and the connector is too far gone and cleaning it will not work, you will need to perform a harness repair.

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In order to perform the repair you will need:

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1 x RJ45 Crimp Tool1 x Male RJ45  1 x Female to Female RJ45

Connector

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1 x Your choice of weatherproofing ( Weatherproof junction box or weatherproof Female to Female connection)

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Start by removing the RJ45 end off of your IP cameras harness. Be sure

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Strip back the outside insulation to expose the internal cables.

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Organize the cables to match the pinout of the IP camera. Slide the organized cables into the connector and crimp. All CCTV Security Pros IP cameras will use this pinout.

Connect your Female to Female RJ45 connector to check your work, you should have a functioning IP camera now that its void of all corrision.

Now that the IP camera has been repaired we still need to weatherproof this connection. It is now more vulnerable than ever!

Consider using a weatherproof junction box to make your connections in, or perhaps a weatherproof Female to Female connector.

Remember that different coupling styles exist so make sure that you are informed about how to use the coupler before you start crimping wires.

Troubleshooting Steps 4/8/16 Channel

(Cannot Find the Network Host)

To solve the error, please verify that the camera is properly plugged into the back of the system. If you unplug and re-plug it back in this should verify it is connected physically.

If the issue continues go to Main Menu > Camera > Camera List and delete the camera with the red status from the bottom list and do a Device Search to verify the camera is showing up on the top list.

If the camera does not show up this means the cable is not connecting properly, which could either mean the camera is not getting power or isn’t transmitting data. The best way to determine whether it is an issue with the Camera or Cable is to bench test the camera on a known working cable.

If it does show up but it has a different IP Address, please confirm the IP Address is in the 10.1.1.1-255 range (This is the default range of the internal Switch).

If the camera is not within the correct IP range, then the camera could need to be modified on the top list to properly connect in which you would select the camera, hit modify, type in the camera’s username and password and set the IP address to DHCP to automatically obtain an IP or statically assign the camera an IP address to match your switch range and gateway.

If the camera is on the correct range, you should be able to add it to the bottom list and it will come up with Green or Red, If Red double check the error message on the live view on the system.

If the Error says Invalid Username or Password, go back to Settings > Camera > Camera List and modify the camera at the bottom of the list and type in the correct login information.

If the error says Cannot Find the Network Host, check the IP Address is in the correct range, if it is you need to verify your cable is good by testing the camera with another known good cable or testing on a short patch cable as the cable could be experiencing packet loss.

Make sure the cable is T568B Standard and is within 100 meters (328 feet.)

Night Vision Issues

When a camera goes into night vision mode, the infrared LEDs around the lens turn on. If the video signal at nighttime or in dark locations is washed out, foggy or you see “halos” on the screen it is because the infrared LEDs are reflecting back into the camera lens.

cameras LEDs to focalize on the mounting surface and greatly reduce the Infrared distance.

Adding 3rd Party Cameras to Blue Line NVR

We always recommend using Blue Line IP cameras with our Blue Line NVRs for the easiest and most complete experience possible. However, we understand that using 3rd Party Cameras can be beneficial in some applications. This guide will explain the basics of adding a 3rd Party IP camera into your Blue Line NVR.

Information you will need to add 3rd Party Cameras.

With your camera attached to one of the PoE ports on your NVR, you’ll navigate to the camera settings from the main menu.

A 3rd Party Camera normally will not add itself, so you will need to go into the Camera List and click on Search Device. If the camera is detected, you will be able to select it and click on the Modify IP button toward the middle of the screen.

When modifying the IP address of the camera the default IP range for the PoE ports on the NVR is

10.1.1.xxx so you’ll want to make sure the camera is on the same range.

You will need to know the camera’s password to change the IP Address. Once the IP is successfully changed it should update after clicking Search Device again

Check the box to the left of the camera and click Add. Most cameras will show up with the Manufacturer as ONVIF. If they do not and show up as red, you will need to click on the edit button on the camera and change the Manufacturer to match the camera’s manufacturer, or to ONVIF if the manufacturer of the camera is not listed.

While in the modify window you can also enter the password for the camera in the password field. Once that is completed you can click OK. After a few seconds the status should change to a green icon and then you should be able to see the camera’s live view. Please keep in mind that if the Error Message says Invalid Username or Password you may need to login to the camera from the Web and setup an Onvif User for the system to login with.

If the camera is still showing offline, setting the manufacturer to PELCO can sometimes resolve the issue.

Additional 3rd Party Camera Information

DVR/NVR Rebooting

If your DVR or NVR is rebooting by itself please read the guide below.

If your DVR or NVR is rebooting once a week this is completely normal. Our DVR and NVR systems are designed to reboot once a week (Tuesday at 2AM by default).

If your DVR or NVR is rebooting more frequently you first want to check the power source of the DVR or NVR.

Be sure you are using the correct Power Source that was included with the DVR or NVR. Below are the correct power adapter specs so you can identify the correct one.

NVRCUBE = 12V, 2.0Amp NVRWIFI = 12V, 2.0Amp

LITE Series DVR = 12V, 2.0Amp

Pro Series DVR = 12V, 5.0Amp

Pro Series NVR = 3 Prong Power Cord to Power Outlet Extreme Series DVR/NVR = 3 Prong Power Cord to Power Outlet

If you can confirm you are using the correct Power Adapter you may need to double check the outlet you are plugged into. Try an alternate outlet and eliminate any Battery Backup Power Supplies for test purposes.

If the power source is not causing the reboot cycle it could be related to the internal hard drive. To check this out please continue reading.

First you will need to Power Off the DVR. We suggest powering the system down from the Power Switch on the rear of the system or by simply unplugging the Power Cable.

Once the system has been powered down you will need to open up the system. Please see below to locate the screws that need to be removed.

NVRCUBE or NVRWIFI

There will be 4 Phillips head screws located on the bottom of the system. Once the screws are removed the top cover will lift off.

Lite Series DVR

There are 2 Phillips head screws located in the rear and 2 on the side of the DVR, 1 on each side. Once the screws are removed the top cover will lift off.

Pro Series DVR/NVR

There will be 4 Phillips head screws located on the rear of the system. Once the screws are removed the top cover will slide towards the rear and lift off.

Extreme Series DVR/NVR

There will be 2 Phillips head screws located on the rear of the system. Once the screws are removed the top cover will slide towards the rear and lift off.

Once the top cover has been removed it will expose the Hard Drive and its connections.

First we want to Unplug the Large Black Connector. Press down on the metal tab and pull the connector out of the Hard Drive.

Now we want to unplug the second smaller connector (Blue Cable) from both ends. Press down on the tab and remove from the Hard Drive as well as the System Board.

Once the connections have been disconnected. Plug them back in securely and listen for the metal tab to click. This will ensure a good connection in between the System Board and Hard Drive.

Note*

While you still have the system open, it might be a good idea to check the cooling fans for any dust or debris that could be stopping the fan from moving. This could cause the DVR or NVR to overheat.

Once the connections are tight, lets put the top cover back on. When the cover is back on you can proceed to power on the system. Once the system is powered on you will need to monitor the system and check if it is still rebooting.

Disconnecting The Internet

If the system is still rebooting you may want to disconnect it from your Router or Modem by unplugging the Ethernet cable in the rear. You will loose your remote viewing capabilities temporarily while unplugged but can help us diagnose the issue.

With the cable unplugged you may want to monitor the system closely to see if this has made any changes to the rebooting issue.

Disconnecting Cameras and Other Sources

Disconnecting cameras, alarms, extra monitors and microphones is the last thing we can try to solve your rebooting issues.

Cameras, monitors, and microphones mounted near high voltage could be causing your system to reboot by itself. If your system detects any incoming voltage or amperage coming into the rear inputs the system will shut down to protect itself from damage.

Leave your main Display Monitor and Power Source connected. Disconnect one input at a time to see if it makes a change in your reboot cycle. If you notice a change in the rebooting you can single it out by using this method of elimination.

InVid Tech is here to help you succeed, and as a company, we pride ourselves on the level of personal service we offer. We have an experienced team based in the United States, including Sales, Customers Service, Marketing & Tech Support. Additionally, there is support for Latin American Countries.

How do I access the cameras on my computer?

Go Here, login using with the credentials you used to sign up with. You will see your devices at the top, click ACCESS and it will launch a new tab for that device. This info can also be found by going to our website and downloading it Here 

How do I network the unit so it can be viewed remotely?

First you want to make sure you plug the unit into your router. Now on the unit login, then right click on the mouse and go to Menu> System> Network. You can set the IP Address under “TCP/IP”. Once you’ve entered your IT information go to “P2P” across the top. Make sure it is enabled. Below you will see the server address Here. You will go there and create an account then link the unit with your account. See Link below for more detailed instructions. Here

How do I connect a third party camera?

You will need a PC and the manufacturers IP tool to address the camera(s) IP address within the same scheme as the internal NIC of the NVR (172.16.0.x). Now go to the camera management within the NVR, switch the port that the camera(s) are plugged into from PNP to IP address, protocol will be ONVIF, port will be 80 (HTTP port of the camera) and type in the username and password of the camera and it should connect. Some manufacturers require ONVIF to be enabled within the camera before adding to different unit. Please check their website for information on how to enable ONVIF.

Why can’t I use Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari to view my device(s)?

Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari took away a plugin that was used for ActiveX plugins. This has effected anyone that uses an ActiveX plugin for their devices not just InVid.

Why is my Vision camera not connecting to the NVR?

That may be due to the NVR having the old default password of 123456. Leave the camera plugged into the unit and go to Menu>Camera then click on the “cog” (gear looking icon) next to the port of the camera you are trying to connect. Type in the password “1234567u” for the camera and the camera should then connect.

Why did my device suddenly go offline?

If you are connected to your ISP’s router (Internet Service Provider) occasionally it is possible your ISP is doing a update which can occasionally change your network environment and require a reboot of your router/recorder (Router first then recorder). It is highly recommended that with this device to install your own router to run the recorder to avoid this from happening, however if using your ISP’s router the above stated solution is the fix for it.

How do I Share a device added to my star4live account?

Have the new user create an account Here. Log into the account with your device, click on SHARE, enter in the customers user name or email, choose a “valid to date”, when this date hits the device will no longer be shared, and hit ok. The device will now be found under the Shared Record. This info can also be found by going to our website and downloading it Here

Trying to view devices on IE but can’t download the plugins?

Please ensure you are in fact using Internet Explorer and not Edge. The two have similar icons, Edge is a darker blue lower case “e” whereas Internet Explorer is a lighter blue lower case “e” with a yellow ring going over the top left of the “e”. Also note that on Windows 10 Edge is the default browser, Internet Explorer isn’t on the task bar or the desktop, you can use Cortana and search “Internet Explorer” to launch.

How do I turn On/Off motion function?

Right click on the mouse, go to the menu>alarm>motion. By default motion detection should be enabled. You want to draw the area of where you want motion to be detected and then hit apply down at the bottom.

How can I see video from last week?

To playback video you want to right click on the mouse and the second to last option on the bottom is “Playback”. On your right you will select which cameras you will like to playback, below the camera list select the date in which the video was recorded. Hit the play button down at the bottom and the playback should start.

How do I add a User?

Right click on mouse go to Menu>System>User. Click Add at the bottom. Create the username and password then select permissions you want to grant that user and hit OK.

How do I format my hard drive? Vision Series

Go to Menu, click on Storage, click on Hard Disk, select your disk(s) and click Format (remember, this erases all data on that drive(s)).

Do I need to port forward this device? Vision

If you’re using the P2P which is explained above no port forwarding is required, if you are networking this device to be seen remotely via a WAN IP or DDNS, yes port forwarding is required.

Is there a manual for this device?

Yes, you can find it on our website Here

Where can I check to see if my unit is recording?

The best way is by doing a playback (refer to question above). You can also go into the Menu, select Maintain on your left and Recording across the top.

InVidTech Vision Series Setup Guide v1

How to Setup Vision Email Notification

Learn how to setup email notification on your Vision machine

Step 1: Setting up a GMAIL account.

1. Go to My Account setting page, click on the square and click my account.

2. Click Signing in to Google.

3. Click Allow all less secure apps on

Step 2 – Setting DVR/NVR Configurations

Enabling Motion Detection

Hit Apply to save then OK

What is the default password of the Vision devices?

We provide a sticker on the inside of the boxes, whether it’s a DVR Encoder, NVR or IP Camera. The default user name and password could be either “admin/123456” or “admin/1234567u”. Once the change-over is fully complete they will all be “admin/1234567u”

How to Setup Vision P2P Using the QR Code

With P2P QR connection there is no need to set any ports, worry whether or not your uPnP is enabled within your router, do any port forwarding within your router or setup a DDNS name.

Not connected? Here are some things to check

Viewing your Vision Device Online or from Mobile App

Viewing from your Web Browser (Internet Explorer):

Viewing from your InVid Vision mobile app:

Is my unit up to date with its firmware?

To find out if the unit is up to date Locally, you want to go to the Menu, select Maintain on your left then Upgrade. Now select “Upgrade by Cloud” (across the top) then hit “Check” in bottom right had corner. To find out if the unit is up to date Remotely, you want to go to Setup, then Maintenance then Maintenance again and hit “Check New Version”. If it is the latest firmware it will say “The current version is already the latest.” If it is not up to date then you will be prompted to upgrade, which will download the file from the cloud, upgrade and restart your NVR.

How do you check to see if an upgrade is available for the Vision NVR?

Is it possible to reset a password for a device?

Yes please contact our Tech Support, 631-388-5700.We will need the devices FULL serial number, you can do this at the main monitor or from the web interface.

How do I access the cameras on my phone?

Once you have downloaded the VISION app from the App Store or Google Play store, sign in with your login credentials used when creating your star4live account.Hit the camera icon in the top right hand corner and you will see a list of all devices added to your account.Choose the device youd like to access and hit “Start Live View” at the bottom of the screen. This info can also be found by going to our website and downloading it Here

Where do I download the APP?

-The app can be found at either the app store for an Apple device, or the Google Play store for an Android Device, you want to search “Paramont CMS”. This info can also be found by going to our website and downloading it Here 

What App do I use for my phone?

InVid Vision

How do I view my device(s) on my Mac?

The current work-around is to install the appropriate CMS software which will allow you to watch live and playback your device(s). You can download the CMS software(s) off our website Here. 

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Overview

Video surveillance systems can sometimes be too expensive and difficult to maintain for general home users. By supporting webcam monitoring & recording, QNAP Turbo NAS offers an affordable and easy-to-use option for home and small office security. The Surveillance Station app on Turbo NAS is capable of 24/7 recording, taking screenshots, and allows you to remotely view live video streams and recorded files anytime, anywhere.

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Webcam surveillance requirements

You will need a webcam with a built-in UVC (USB Video Class) driver. You may refer to the following lists for compatible webcams:

Please note:

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How to use Webcam on Surveillance Station on QNAP NAS?

Read Also : Dahua XVR Remote Access Full Guide

Configure Surveillance Station for webcam recording

1. Connect a USB webcam

Connect a USB webcam to a USB port on the Turbo NAS. If the webcam is supported, it will be listed as a log showing a generic UVC camera in “Control Panel” > “System Settings” > “System Logs” on the NAS.

2. Install the QUSBCam QPKG from App Center (either Automatically or Manually)

Automatic installation: Install the QPKG from “App Center” > “Surveillance” > “QUSBCam” of the NAS.

Manual installation: Download the QUSBCam QPKG from the App Center on the QNAP website. Then you can install it by clicking the “Install Manually” button and by selecting the location of the QUSBCam QPKG to start installing.

3. Configure webcam in QUSBCam

First, open “QUSBCam”.

Video settings can be configured here.

4. Configure Surveillance Station

a. Install Surveillance Station

Please note: To ensure proper operations of Surveillance Station, we recommend rebooting the Turbo NAS after its installation is completed.

b. Configure the webcam on Surveillance Station with required settings: (Please check the detailed settings in QUSBCam, “HTTP URL” may vary by different situation.)

Please note: Before applying new settings, you can click “Test” on the right to check that the connection to your webcam is successful.

After you have added the USB webcam camera to your Turbo NAS, go to the “Monitor” page. If it is your first time accessing this page in your web browser, you will have to install an ActiveX control (QMon.cab) before using Monitor or Playback functions. Please follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. You can use Surveillance Station in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

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Play Video Files from Surveillance Station

Click or to enter the playback page and follow the steps below to play video files on the remote Surveillance Station.

1. Drag and drop camera(s) from the server/camera tree to the respective playback window(s) to select the channel(s) for playback.

2. Select a playback date using  You can examine each channel to discover the time range when files were recorded using each camera. Blue cells indicate regular recording files. If it is blank, it means that no files were recorded at that time.

3. Click to begin playback. You can control the speed and playback direction by dragging the buttonto left or right of the shuttle bar.

4. Specify the time to play back the recording files. You can view a preview image on the timeline bar to search for the moment you want to play.

5. Click to control all the playback windows to play back the recording files. When this function is enabled, the playback options (play, pause, stop, previous/next frame, previous/next file, speed adjustment) will be applied to all of the playback windows.

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How to Use QUSBCam2 with USB Cameras?

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Overview

QUSBCam2 transforms USB cameras (webcam)(*1) into IP cameras with ONVIF compatibility and full support for the RTSP protocol. Its live view does not require any extra plug-ins in your browser, and it is a handy surveillance tool for homes and small offices.

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Requirements

How to View a Live Stream on QUSBCam2

1.Install USB Camera
After connecting the USB camera to the NAS, the USB camera appears on the USB Device page.

2.Set as channel
After installing the USB camera, go to Channel List and click “Create Channel” to create a QUSBCam2 channel.

Set the channel name and video or audio configuration.
Note: Only MJPEG format supports the live function.

3.Check the Channel List
Go to Channel List and check if the thumbnail image of the USB camera is available. If you see the  live button, it means that the camera supports the live function.

Configure Surveillance Station for Webcam Recording

Go to “Surveillance Station” > “Camera Configuration” and then click “Add”. Select “Search camera(s) automatically” and then click “Next”.

For Search type, select “ONVIF” and then select the QUSBCam2 camera. Click “OK”.

Surveillance Station automatically completes the camera information except for the user name and password. Use the same login credentials for the NAS that you are using.

Click  to launch the QVR client to see the live video and recording.

Additional Information

QNAP does not guarantee full compatibility with all USB cameras. For details on compatible USB cameras (webcam), refer to the following lists for UVC (USB Video Class):

Logitech UVC Webcam List
http://support.logitech.com/en_us/article/6471

Linux UVC Webcam List
http://www.ideasonboard.org/uvc/

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 Specification Sheet – NVR – LV-N9508Q8E

 Specification Sheet – Camera – LV-PBK80804C

 Quick Start Guide – NVR – LV-N9508Q8E

 User Guide – NVR – LV-N9508Q8E

 Firmware – NVR – LV-N9608C8E LV-N9616D6E v3.5.31

 Client – LaView Net Client for Windows

 Client – LaView Net Client for Mac

 Video Player – VSPlayer for Windows

 Video Player – VSPlayer for Mac

 IP Portal – IP Search Portal (SADP) for Windows

 Plugin – Web Component for Safari / Mac

 Technical Support Articles

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How do I connect my TVI system to my phone app?

Please follow these steps to setup your mobile device. You can watch the YouTube videos and follow along or follow the instructions bellow.

IPhone:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zshaTac0ka8

Android:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1DtkrYLIas

LaView NET app:

*If using 4G/LTE with bad signal, you may not obtain a picture. Attempt using a strong signal.

LaView DVR User Guide

Read Also : Camius DVR installation and user guide

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How do I download videos off my TVI System?

To download video footage you’ll need a flash inserted into one of the USB ports on the system. Then go to Main Menu>Export>Normal. Once in the exporting page, you’ll need to select the channel the video was recorded on along with the starting time and end time to search for footage.

Then click on “Search” at the bottom and you’ll have some video previews show up. You can select any of the previews and play it on the top right hand side. When you know what files you’ll need check mark the box on the upper left hand corner of the preview window and click on “Export” at the bottom. Once the export is done, you’ll now have all the files on your flash drive.

How do I format my HDD?

To format your HDD you’ll need to go to the Main Menu>HDD>General. Once in the HDD menu, check mark the box to the left-hand side of the HDD information. Then click on “Format” or “Int” at the bottom. Please note this will delete all information off the HDD.

How do I playback my recordings?

To playback videos go to Main Menu>Playback>Normal. In that section choose your camera(s) on the right-hand side. Then double click any of the days on the calendar with either a dark blue or red on them. This should automatically start playback for that day. Use the bar at the bottom to jump to a specific time during that day.

I have everything plugged in, but all I see on my screen is “No Video”

The system should automatically pick up cameras once they are connected and have power. Be sure to check the power source for the cameras. If the power is connected correctly there may not be enough power be supplied. Cup your hands over the lens and if the IR lights turn on, then the camera has enough power. If not, you may need to try a different outlet for the cameras.

I’m having issues connecting my DVR to my phone.

Possible Fixes:

1.Please go to Menu-Configuration-Network and under the General tab make sure enable DHCP is selected, if it is not enabled then select enable and apply. If you had to enable it, restart the NVR and try the P2P setup again.

2.If you are still having issues, make sure DDNS is NOT enabled(unchecked). If DDNS is checked, uncheck it and apply then go back to Platform Access and disable P2P and apply. Once both are disabled, do a power cycle and reboot the unit. After the unit restarts enable P2P again, and do another power cycle.

3.Go to Extranet Access, Platform Access or DDNS and make sure LaView P2P is selected then apply, also make sure “Enable Stream Encryption” is disabled.

4. If none of these work, then it could be a network issue. Try to restart your modem/router by unplugging it for about 45 seconds. Plug it back in and restart the NVR, then try to reconnect your system to the P2P account.

How do I find my system’s IP address?

To find your system’s IP address go to Main Menu>Maintenance>System Info>Network. The IPv4 Address at the top is your local IP. If your IP address is 0.0.0.0 or 192.0.0.64, this means your system is offline. There are a few causes from this, but usually it’s a bad ethernet cable or the cable is not plugged in properly to either the DVR or Router. If those are checked to be correct, try restarting your router by unplugging it for a minute and restarting the DVR.

Which mobile app do I need?

-If you have DVR starting from LV-N52xxxx please download “LaView Patrol”

-If you have DVR starting from LV-N9xxxx, LV-D11xxxx, LV-D21xxx, or LV-T94xxxx, please download “LaView Net”

-If you have DVR starting from LV-D04xxxx, or LV-D51xxxx  please download “LaView Mobile”

My system keeps rebooting every few minutes. – LV-T93 units Only

You’ll need to upgrade the systems firmware to fix this issue. Try to upgrade the firmware immediately after the system has restarted to avoid a potential reboot during the upgrade process. Please follow the instructions below to do this.

Please download the firmware here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yf6thpfyx04ag33/digicap.dav?dl=0

Once you have that file, put it on a flash drive and connect the flash drive to the DVR. Go to Main Menu>Maintenance>Upgrade and click on the Digicap file, then upgrade at the bottom. Once this is complete the system will reboot, and you’ll have the new firmware.

How do I find my system’s IP address?

To find your system’s IP address go to Main Menu>Maintenance>System Info>Network. The IPv4 Address at the top is your local IP. If your IP address is 0.0.0.0 or 192.0.0.64, this means your system is offline. There are a few causes from this, but usually it’s a bad ethernet cable or the cable is not plugged in properly to either the DVR or Router. If those are checked to be correct, try restarting your router by unplugging it for a minute and restarting the DVR.

I need to reset my password – LV-D04xxxxx

Please email us at info@laviewusa.com to reset the password for this system. In the email please mention you need a password reset along with the model number and date that displays on the main view of the system. A technician will reply with some instructions and a temporary password for your system.

How do I back up files off my DVR? – LV-D04xxxxx

To backup files on your DVR connect the USB drive to the USB port then go to Main Menu-Storage-Backup-Select USB device-Backup-Select “AVI”-Choose Start & End Time-Add-Select File-Start. Once the file has been backed up to the device please disconnect the USB drive.

How Do I set up recording on my DVR? – LV-D04xxxxx

Instructions:

2. Go to Main Menu>Configuration>Record>Record Plan>SET>Select period 1 for Normal(Continuous) or MD (Motion Detection) and then check the Select All box to copy the settings to the rest of the week. Click Apply then OK. If you’d like to set up a different schedule for each day, set the record plan for specific days individually.

3. Click the “Copy” button in the Record Plan section to copy the settings to all the other camera channels, press Apply and then Ok. All channels will have the same color scheme if this is done correctly.

How do I connect my DVR to my cell phone? – LV-D04xxxxx

Please use our point to point service. To get the P2P service working on the DVR go to Main Menu- Configuration- Network- make sure DHCP is checked (if not please check then click app. to apply). Then go to P2P under network and make sure that state says online (For model LV-KDT0808B7W go to Advanced-P2P service).

If it says the DVR is offline please check the Ethernet cable. Once P2P is confirmed online we will move to the LaView Mobile app that you can download from the Play Store or App Store. In LaView Mobile we will add a device with the “+ Device” then enter the Device ID and password shown in the P2P area. Make sure to save on the top right. Once you have your new device click on it then select 4 cameras and click the Play button. Live View should now start.

Please download the LaView Mobile app. Use the links below.

Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vss.laview&hl=en

 Apple IOS:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/laview-mobile/id955357794?mt=8

For the Ipad use the HD version, this is for tablet use.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/laview-mobile-hd/id972423374?mt=8

LaView Mobile P2P Set Up
Note: The setup was done with an Android phone. The iPhone setup process is almost identical.

2. Click on the “+ Device” option.

3. Go to DVR, Main Menu>Configuration>Network>P2P then scan QR code or manually enter Device ID and password.

4. Press the “Save” button to be taken to the device list.

5. Select Device and select cameras. Press “Play” for Android or “Live” for iPhone to start live view.

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Looking for the best NVR? This guide will help you find the right one for you, help you through the jargon, and get your recorder at the best price.

NVR is short for Network Video Recorder, a device which acts as a hub for an IP-based security camera system. It is a storage and review point for your CCTV which means you don’t need to sign up to remote service to store your video.

That means, of course, it’ll need cameras, typically connected by power-over-ethernet (PoE) cables (see our guide to the best PoE cameras), and a storage medium like a hard drive.

Retailers often package the same NVR in several different bundles, mixing up the types and numbers of cameras and hard drives, or simply leaving this all to you. There are real bargains to be had with some of these all-in-one kits, and the only real downside is some spectacularly confusing product names.

An NVR, incidentally, is not quite the same thing as a DVR (or Digital Video Recorder), which appeared in the late 90s. They look similar and store video too, but a DVR is built to accept and digitally compress analogue or digital video via coax sockets; an NVR expects a digital input.

The advantage of an NVR-based security system is that, because the video is being compressed by the cameras, local processing power is available for AI functions like detecting movement. This, in turn, means you don’t need to dig into your wallet for a subscription service; both storage and AI analysis are provided by a device you own rather than a service you lease. 

Given that subscription services usually only store the clips their AI identifies as significant, having your own NVR may give you the power to review every moment yourself rather than being dependent on an algorithm to parse the events your camera sees. All the advantages of networking like remote access and – of course – the ability to work with all IP cameras, wired or wireless, remain.

We look at some of the key features in detail at the end, but something else to remember if you’re in the USA is the China trade war; major security player HikVision have already fallen victim to US internal bans on new products and may end up on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. 

Key features to look out for are remote access, PoE (Power over Ethernet), which can simplify wiring, hard drive capacity (indeed if any drives are included at all), the resolution limit, the number of channels or cameras it can handle, and if there are any means of backup. Remember that a 4K camera uses more data throughput than a 1080P one, so an NVR can handle fewer of them – this is where the compression method (e.g. H.264 or H.265) can make a big difference.

Best NVR in 2023

Why you can trust Digital Camera World  Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

(Image credit: Adam Juniper/Digital Camera World)

1: EufyCam HomeBase 3

The EufyCam HomeBase 3 and various bundles bring the glossy consumer experience of IP cameras like those from Google or Nest – including AI-like face detection – but don’t leave you paying every month. This device also has a home-friendly design so you can leave it on a countertop (good if you have limited space near your router).

Some security pros might not appreciate the non-traditional approach with only clips recorded when the cameras detect motion. The flip side is that the NVR is a more accessible experience. Even without adding a hard drive the 16GB included will likely capture a couple of months of ‘events’ (clips by triggered movement) from your cameras; add a drive and that can go up to a lifetime. It also means the cameras can be installed wirelessly, with battery power, meaning getting up and running is virtually painless. We especially liked the S330 eufyCam 3 bundle with solar-powered 4K cameras featuring floodlights and night vision

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(Image credit: Amcrest)

2: Amcrest 5 Series NV5232E-16P

Best DVR for multi-brand compatibility

While not everyone will need the 320Mbps throughput, if you’re looking for a powerful NVR which affords some flexibility when it comes to choosing your cameras (and don’t mind paying for that) then the Amcrest 5 Series seems to have that in the bag. Eight of the sixteen Ethernet sockets are PoE, likely enough for most customers though it seems a shame they weren’t all enabled.

We certainly can’t complain about the level of effort which seems to have gone into usability in what is not always the most user-friendly product category; a great example is the QR codes to bring up quick remote viewing via the Amcrest View app.

The device is certainly not the cheapest on this list, given the list price doesn’t’ include a hard drive and you’ll need at least one – likely two unless you opt for the motion detection mode. It does, however, offer some of the features of subscription services via the app and web features, as well as the advantages of a hardwired device; not to be sniffed at.

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3: Swann AllSecure650

Best NVR for uninterrupted security

Swann has always built innovative systems, and this is no exception. Adopting an elegant upright design, the NVR PowerHub is the basis of several new Swann packs including the AllSecure650. We like this system not only because of the elegant design, but because it offers so many options in a small package. It also, brilliantly, turns the main annoyance of battery camera systems to its advantage; an extra battery is included (total of 3 for a 2 camera bundle).

The extra battery lives in the hub, where it not only charges but offers backup power backup in case of an outage. When you need to swap a camera battery you have a spare, ready to go, so you can swap it with one – rather than two – trips up the ladder to the camera.

It does not, however, ditch all the functionality of a traditional NVR as it attempts to blend into the home or small business. While you can control nearly everything via the app, as well as enjoy remote access, there is also a mouse socket and HDMI port for use with a monitor. The supplied 1TB storage will also manage 2 years of clips by Swann’s reckoning, after which you can opt for Dropbox or USB transfer. 

Best NVR camera systems 2023

Read More : Best Night Vision Security Cameras

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(Image credit: Synology)

4. Synology Deep Learning DVA1622

Best AI NVR for homes and small businesses

Synology offer multi-drive RAID storage systems – many which can take on a little monitoring on the side – and devices like this built with it front and center. There is the power to drive AI on up to 16 streams of video including separating people from animals, intrusion detection and even license place recognition. Businesses can even use the AI system to detect whether face mask rules are being complied with. This AI also helps distinguish threats in poor lighting thanks to the GPU power. Recording can be backed up across drives or both can form a single volume

As well as HDMI connection for a monitor, the device can be reached remotely via iOS and Android apps and on virtually any computer via a browser interface. The USB 3.2 ports (front and back) offer keyboard and mouse connection.

This is a great choice for smaller installs, but bigger businesses might need something like the 4-drive FVA3221.

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(Image credit: Reolink)

5: Reolink RLK8-800

Best DVR for reviewing video history

Despite having only one SATA bay, the Reolink system makes a lot of room for storage by adding an eSATA socket at the back. The system is also typically bundled with its preferred Reolink 4K cameras which provide stand-out sharp footage which is easy to review thanks to the fresh modern interface. Reolink also offer a great variety of cameras and a doorbell.

Built-in operating systems can be a tad clunky, but connect the supplied mouse to the NVR and the Reolink interface, whether on 4K TV or VGA screen, is a bit clearer. The 24/7 recording is accompanied by a timeline which highlights events (people or vehicles) and can be filtered as you browse. While it doesn’t sound a lot, in practice most CCTV reviewing is for these things.

When connected to your local network via the LAN socket, assuming an internet connection, the system can use the same alert tech to send specific activity alerts to your devices.

(Image credit: Annke)

6: Annke 4K 8CH PoE NVR

Best NVR for affordable plug-and-play

Clearly built for practicality, the Annke H800 makes connecting a USB drive easy without re-positioning by adding an extra USB socket at the front as well as the rear one for the mouse.

The in-built OS isn’t beautiful, but actually very smart; you can choose to disable motion detection by zone on each camera view and, even as you refine the detection, you see a handy live view of where the algorithm is spotting action. Other handy features include quotas for individual cameras to prioritize some recordings drive vapacity.

The system includes event-driven or “Smart” timeline review of recorded video, the latter allowing you to search video for movement within areas you specify – a handy tool for finding if someone went into a specific corner of the shot after the fact.

Phone integration for Android or iOS also brings notifications though only one user account can be connected.

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(Image credit: Swann)

7: Swann SRNVR-88580H

Best DVR for AI features

What shines out with the Swann system is the more advanced facial recognition tools which put person/vehicle recognition in the shade. Yes, generalized person or vehicle alerts are still very useful, but Swann allows the known faces can be named. That makes specific alerts possible if, say, one of the kids gets near the treats. That is the kind of benefit consumer smart cameras offer, built on with integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant, but without the cost of a subscription.

A third USB socket covers mouse, backup drive and downloading to a USB stick
without needing to unplug anything – usability plus. 

On the down-side, pet detection does require a cloud subscription (perhaps that just feels a worrying threshold to cross). In reality the fact Swann offer a cloud option – and secure backup using it – will be a handy option for some, even if it does bring with it a monthly fee. Swann’s Enforcer Kit system also has a number of 4K CCTV cameras with red and blue flashing LEDs and sirens built in which can be acquired in a bundle with the NVR for an effective deterrent system. 

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(Image credit: Lorex)

8: Lorex D861A82B 4K DVR

Best NVR for smart home integrations

This elegant-looking NVR actually has the same sockets as most other 4K 8-channel systems from the back, but is chic enough to sit comfortably under a living room TV. There the central panic button, which triggers all lights & sirens built into connected cameras, could end a home invasion.

The main Lorex NVR software also allows you to set up effective deterrence rules using person and vehicle detection and features area search for easier review.

There is a similar level of design polish in the remote access app save for one thing; if you do connect wireless and wired cameras you’ll need to tidy up the alerts yourself to avoid duplicates. 

We also appreciated that the Apple TV wasn’t forgotten; and smart home fans will love the ability to add sensors (like gate or door opening) as well as cameras via a Lorex Sensor Hub.

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(Image credit: Synology )

9. Synology DS923+

A RAID system with security-friendly extras

As well as dedicated NVRs, Synology are synonymous (sorry!) with all sizes of data storage devices. While many entrust their data – especially with limited amounts of it – to the cloud, there are many reasons to have a physical backup system. Hot-swappable drives mean every piece of information can be backed up within the device, and a network connection means it is available via your home network, or remotely.

Since the machine is essentially a small computer, it can run apps on its own OS, from Mail Server to (more relevant here) Synology Surveillance Station. This lets you use some of your overall drive space to store video from your connected security cameras.

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(Image credit: CanaKit)

10. CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4

For those who want to make security a hobby experience

Make no mistake, this is not the same approach as the other products on this list. This isn’t a ready-made box with all the necessary PoE sockets to connect a series of cameras to but, since an NVR is essentially just a computer in different clothes, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the enthusiast community is continuously refining software to power NVRs.

If you feel motivated to build your own, why not start with a Raspberry Pi 4? Unless you’re only using USB cameras, you’ll also need a PoE Ethernet Switch (like the BV-Tech) and certainly some kind of storage (it’s unlikely the microSD card slot in the Pi will cut it for long, but many folk already have a spare external hard drive lying around). From there it’s simply a matter of choosing an OS and a piece of software; Shinobi is available for free and supports ARM architecture, as does ZoneMinder, so there are two good starting points. 

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(Image credit: Amcrest)

11. Amcrest 4K NV4216E-AI

Best NVR for big multi-camera set-ups

If you need a more powerful NVR – with greater camera capacity – than the NV4108E above, then Amcrest have you covered; the 4216E-AI supports up to two 8GB drives inside and has 16 PoE ports for cameras on the back, all capable of 4K resolution. The system is happy with H.265 and H.264 and has a high-speed throughput of 200Mbps, dropping to 80Mbps when the on-board AI functions are active. This sacrifice buys you human and vehicle detection (and search in recordings), offering functionality to compete with the subscription services from Google Nest and Amazon Ring among others. Amcrest’s App is similar in scope. The machine even has microphone sockets for two-way-talk from the NVR.

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(Image credit: xmartO)

12. xmartO WNQ28

Wi-Fi NVR which can keep your CCTV separate from home network

If you’d like to install a CCTV system with some of the advantages of your own NVR, but aren’t interested in undertaking the cabling, then the WNQ28 seems a rational choice. It eschews the PoE network switching components in favor of two antenna to create its own wi-fi network which you can connect cameras and viewing devices to. xmartO also include their “G3 Auto WiFi Relay” feature which can use cameras to extend the network.

With or without this, the advantage of this device is that it keeps CCTV cameras on a different frequency from your home’s potentially already heavily taxed wi-fi (an issue many of us are starting to notice as high-speed broadband becomes more common). On the down-side it offers a fairly generic Linux-based OS and doesn’t have high bandwidth, while it definitely prefers xmartO cameras. Nevertheless it definitely helps keep things separate when building your network, so we can see some DIY fans strongly preferring this.

How to choose an NVR system

Selecting an NVR forces you to think about the very heart of your security system, and the choice you make will depend on whether you’re starting from scratch or you already have cameras you need to connect to. In either case, make the right choice and it’ll offer years of use even though you add and swap cameras and hard drives.

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Today, Anviz aims to deliver simple and integrated solutions including cloud and AIOT-based smart access control & time attendance and video surveillance solution, for a smarter and safer world.

Part 1. Firmware Update Via Web Server
 

1) Normal Update

>> Step 1: Connect Anviz device to PC via TCP/ IP or Wi-Fi. (How to connect to CrossChex)

>> Step 2: Run a browser (Google Chrome is recommended). In this example, the device is set in the server mode and IP address as 192.168.0.218. 

>> Step 3. Enter 192.168.0.218 (Your device might be different, check the device IP and enter IP address) in the browser address bar to run as the webserver mode. 

>> Step 4. Then enter your user account, and password. (default User: admin, Password: 12345)

>> Step 5. Choose ‘Advance Setting’

>> Step 6: Click ‘Firmware Upgrade’, choose a firmware file that you want to update and then click ‘Upgrade’. Wait for the updating complete.

>> Step 7. Update Complete. 

>> Step 8. Check the firmware version. (You can check current version either on webserver info page or on the device info page)

How to Update Anviz Device

Read More : UNV Recorder Set Up Guide
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2) Forced Update

>> Step 1. Follow the steps above till steps 4, and enter 192.168.0.218/up.html or 192.168.0.218/index.html#/up in the browser.

>> Step 2. Forced Firmware Upgrade mode is set successfully.

>> Step 3. Operate Step 5 – Step 6 to finish the forced firmware updates.

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Part 2: How To Update Firmware Via CrossChex

>> Step 1: Connect the Anviz device to the CrossChex.

>> Step 2: Run the CrossChex and click the ‘Device’ menu on the top. You will be able to see a small blue icon if the device has connected to the CrossChex successfully.

>> Step 3. Right-click the blue icon, and then click the ‘Update Firmware’.

>> Step 4. Choose the firmware that you want to update.

>> Step 5. Firmware update process.

>> Step 6. Firmware Update Complete.

>> Step 7. Click the ‘Device’ -> Right-Click the blue icon -> ‘Device Information’ to check the firmware version.

Part 3: How To Update The Anviz Device Via Flash Drive.

1) Normal update mode

Recommended Flash Drive Requirement:

     1. Empty Flash Drive, or place firmware files in the Flash Drive root path. 

     2. FAT file system (Right-click USB Drive and click ‘Properties’ to check the Flash Drive file system.)

     3. Memory Size under 8GB. 

>> Step 1: Plug a flash drive (with an update firmware file) into the Anviz Device.

You will see a small Flash Drive icon on the device screen.

>> Step 2. Login with Admin mode to the device -> and then ‘Setting’

>> Step 3. Click ‘Update’ -> then ‘OK’.

>> Step 4. It will ask you to restart, press ‘Yes(OK)’ to restart once to complete the update.

>> Done  

2) Force update mode

(****** Sometimes devices are not allowed to be updated, this is because of device protection policy. You can use force update mode when this situation occurs.   *****)

>> Step 1. Follow the Flash Drive Update from step 1 – 2.

>> Step 2. Click ‘Update’ to get into the page like showing in the below. 

>> Step 3. Press ‘IN12345OUT’ in the keypad, then the device will change to forced upgrade mode.

>> Step 4. Click ‘OK’, and the device will restart once to complete the update.

>> Step 5. Update Complete.

Summary for Anviz Product’s Firmware

For convenience we made this topic listing all firmware of Anviz access control & time attendance device. You can upgrade your device as necessary.

If you don’t know how to upgrade the firmware, please refer to the upgrade guidances below:

Click to Check Upgrade Guidance Suits ST Platform Device 1.0 bin

ST Platform devices:
T5, T5 Pro, T5 S
M5, M5 Pro
P7, M7
VF30, VP30, VF20
D200
EP300
A300

Get Firmware for ST device：

Click to Check Upgrade Guidance Suits Linux Platform Device 593

Linux Platform devices:
A350, A350C, A380
C2 Pro, C2 KA, C2 Slim
EP30, EP300 Pro
FaceDeep5 Series
FacePass7 Pro
M5 Plus, M3 Pro
M-Bio
VF30 Pro
W1 Pro, W2 Pro

Click to Submit a ticket 467
If you need to upgrade firmware for above device types, please submit a ticket with the serial number, current firmware and kernel version. We’ll send you the correct firmware and help with the upgrading.

If you have any concerns or questions, please submit a ticket 183 and our technical support team will help .

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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.

Click from the list below to navigate to that section of this guide for more information.

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IMPORTANT:  For more detailed information specific to your model or if you do not see your issue listed below, please see your product’s manual on your Series support page.

To access your manual:

1. Visit Support.NightOwlSP.com and enter your Series into the Search bar.

NOTE: Your product Series can be located on the support sticker on your recorder.

2. From your product’s support page, scroll down and click on “Manual.”

Troubleshooting:

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NOTE: If you are still experiencing an issue after troubleshooting, please click on Contact Us from your product’s support page to reach our Technical Support Team via Live Chat or Phone.

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NightOwl DVR NVR Troubleshooting

Read More : Night Owl DVR / NVR Troubleshooting

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1. Recorder Not Powering On

If your recorder is not powering on, please try the steps below before contacting technical support.

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2. Video Loss

If your recorder is powered on, but you cannot see one or more connected cameras on your TV/Monitor or Smart Device, try the steps below.

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Cannot See the Recorder on Your TV/Monitor
If you cannot see any cameras or the recorder menu on your TV/monitor, please:

Have Video Loss Only at Night
If you are experiencing video loss, flickering lines or fuzzy images on one or more cameras at night, this may be the result of a faulty camera power supply. Try connecting the camera to a different power supply at night to see if the camera image is corrected.

Have a Camera with a Purple/Pink Tint?
If you are experiencing a purple/pink tint with a camera, it is possible that your camera is defective and needs to be replaced. However, please check the following first:

Video Loss On One or More Cameras

NOTE: Our wired NVR’s use Ethernet cabling and are powered by the NVR. Our Wi-Fi IP cameras each come with their own power adapter and wirelessly transmit video to the Wi-Fi NVR. You may need to re-pair the camera to your Wi-Fi NVR (refer to your product manual for more information).

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3. Network Connection Issues

If you are having an issue connecting your recorder to the Internet, please follow the troubleshooting measures below. The use of other network devices between the main unit and your Internet Router is not suggested.

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4. Motion Detection Issues

If your recorder is having problems detecting motion, it is most likely a configuration issue. Some recorders have the option to disable motion detection for specific channels. Additionally, the motion detection sensitivity and motion detection area can affect your recorder’s motion detection performance.

NOTE: By default, most recorders are set to motion detection with high sensitivity.

To troubleshoot:

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5. Playback Issues 

NOTE: Recordings are saved on the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) of your recorder, so the first thing you must check is if the HDD is working properly.

If you are having an issue accessing your recordings or with playback, please check the following:

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6. Export Video Issues

If you are having an issue exporting a recording, please check the following:

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7. Recorder Making Noise

NOTE: There are many reasons why your recorder may be making a noise. Beeps are usually related to a firmware misconfiguration, while other noises may be the result of the HDD or fan failing. Please check the following:

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8. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

First of all, you will need to ensure your recorder has an HDD. Check your system specifications to see if your recorder has a pre-installed HDD. Some models are sold with no HDD installed and customers must install their own. To troubleshoot, see below:

IMPORTANT: From the HDD menu, check to see if the overwrite option is on “Auto” (default option). When set to auto, the HDD will continue recording once it becomes full by recording over older recordings, to make way for new recordings. If this option is set to OFF, the recorder will stop recording when the HDD is full.

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9. Factory Reset

NOTE: If your product uses the Night Owl Protect App, remove the product from the application first before proceeding. Failure to do so will make your device unusable.

To reset your recorder to the Factory Default settings, follow the next steps:

NOTE: Your recorder’s menus and options may look different. If that is the case and you need additional help, please refer to your product’s manual on our support site for precise steps.

a.Go to the recorder Main Menu. (you may need to log in after this step)

b.Click on “Advanced” on the top left corner of the Main Menu.

c.Click on “Maintain”

d.On this screen locate the “Load Default”tab and click on it.

e.On the next screen select the options you want to restore to Factory Default and then click “OK.” Your recorder will now reboot and be restored to default for the selected settings.

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10. Contacting Technical Support

If you isolate the issue while performing the included troubleshooting measures, or if you cannot find out what is wrong, you may need to contact our technical support team. You have the option of choosing from Live Chat or Phone Support. To make initial contact:

Apps and Software

All Night Owl products include free remote viewing! All you need to do is connect your device to the Internet and download the compatible app or CMS. This ensures our customers have 24/7 access to their security, no matter where they travel, all from the convenience of their Smart Device or computer.

Our mobile apps can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play Store to your smartphone or tablet. Our CMS software for PCs and Macs is available below. Please click on the app / CMS that your Night Owl product uses to get started!

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