This guide explains the setup for each option so that you can determine which one is best suited for your needs and scene..

How to find the camera’s light settings in its web interface:​

Even if the camera is connected to an NVR, before anything, you will need to log into the camera directly to access the advanced image and light settings to enable the different light modes, as these are not accessible from an NVR.
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By default, your camera will be set to remain in ‘ColourVu only’ mode during low-light, meaning the white light will be constantly on when it is dark and never use its IR. The below sections will show you on how to configure the new ‘Smart Hybrid’ mode, ‘IR only’ mode, and ‘ColorVu only’ mode.
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How do I set my camera to Smart Hybrid mode:​

This mode is utilises both the IR and white LEDs built into your camera. It is useful as it allows you to keep your cameras to stay discreet in IR mode while there is no activity in your scene, and then switch to full colour when a person or vehicle is detected by putting white light on the scene, providing you with all of the additional information a colour image offers while also acting as a deterrent.

Here are the steps to enable this mode:
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How do I set my camera to ‘IR only’ mode:​

This mode is recommended if you would like the camera to be as discreet as possible and your scene is dark at night, as the camera will use its IR LEDs all the time at night and then switch back to colour during the day, meaning the white light is never used.
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How to Configure Light Settings on Hikvision Cameras

How do I set my camera to ‘ColorVu only’ mode:​

This is the opposite to IR mode, as the camera will turn on its white light at night and keep it constantly on, meaning that its IR is never used. This mode is ideal if you are not worried about the camera being discreet and prefer a colour picture 24/7.
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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.

How do I set up events and email or push notifications on my Hikvision camera?

Video Analytics, or “VCA events”, are some of the most useful features available on a Hikvision camera. Using these will mean that your footage is analysed in real-time for any activity or abnormalities with your system that you would like to receive an alert for. The different events that are available currently (which ones are available varies which each model of camera) include:

This guide will cover the setup of three of the most popular event options:

Motion Detection – This is one of the first AI options that was introduced and will analyse your footage for any moving object in a specified part of your scene and can alert you as soon as it is detected. As it detects motion in its most basic sense, it uses less of a camera or NVR’s processing power than the other event options, meaning it is always available regardless of your video compression settings.

If you are not using a device with AcuSense then this option will give you the most false-positive alerts, as it offers the fewest ways for filtering out moving objects that you are not interested in, such as object size and the direction or duration of the motion.

Intrusion Detection – This is similar to motion detection in that it will alert you when a moving object is detected within a predefined “intrusion zone”. However, this is better if you want more control over when you are alerted as it will only notify you when a moving object enters the zone, rather than whenever movement occurs within it. This event type also allows you to specify the size of trigger objects, as well as how much of an object enters the zone and for how long before you are alerted.

Line Crossing Detection – This option is particularly useful for various entrances, boundaries, and roads, etc., as it allows you to draw a line in your scene so that you are notified when an object moves across that line. Importantly, you can specify the direction(s) of movement across the line on which you are notified. Like intrusion detection, you also have more control over the size of the trigger object and how much of it must cross the line.
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Note – Before starting, you will need to check that your Default Gateway and DNS Server are correctly set up in your device’s network parameters, as these need to be right in order for you to be sent email notifications. To check these, please see part 2.​

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Section 1: Setting up motion detection​

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Step 1:​

Connect to your device’s web browser interface by browsing for its IP address and log into it. If it is recording to an NVR, then connect to this, as this is where you should set your events from.​

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Step 2:​

Once you’re in, navigate to:​

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Configuration → Event → Basic Event → Motion​

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If you’re using an NVR, select your camera from the “Camera” dropdown.​

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Note – To set one of the other VCA event options, you’ll need to go to “Smart Event” rather than “Basic Event”, where you will be shown a list of tabs with all the other available events on your camera. ​

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Step 3:​

Tick the “Enable Motion Detection” box.​

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Step 4:​

Decide if you want to enable “Dynamic Analysis for Motion”. When this is turned on, green squares will show on anything that triggers motion detection in the camera’s feed, which can help with identifying exactly what has triggered the event.​

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Note – Cameras usually determine what is ‘motion’ in your scene by detecting pixel changes in the image, as a large amount of pixel change usually indicates movement. However, if there is lots of visible noise in your image due to gain control in low light, you will probably see a high number of false alerts on the camera. Using one of the more advanced event types, or the camera’s built-in LEDs to illuminate the scene, will help here. ​

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Step 5:​

Once you’re happy with the view of your scene, click on the hexagon or “Draw Area” button in “Area Settings”, which will allow you to use your mouse to draw the area within which you would like motion detection to be active.​

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On Easy IP 3.0 and earlier cameras, These areas will be indicated by a red grid or polygon that appears when you click on part of the scene.​

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The newer cameras will get you to draw one solid shape for each of your detection areas by left-clicking to set each point of that shape. When you have set all the points that you need, right-clicking will complete the shape and allow you to draw any others that you need.​

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To clear your zones, just click the cross or “Clear All” button.​

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Note – If you are not using an AcuSense camera or NVR, then you should make sure that the edges of your detection zones are not on top of anywhere that is likely to see a lot of movement, shadows, or reflections (e.g. roads, foliage, windows or the sky), to mitigate the number of false triggers. ​

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Step 6:​

If you’re using an EasyIP 4.0 camera, draw any more detection zones that you need by repeating step 5 above.​

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Step 7:​

Adjust the “Sensitivity” bar if you need, which determines how sensitive the detection is to pixel changes. The higher the sensitivity, the more easily motion detection is triggered, meaning you will receive more alerts as a result.​

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A good starting point for the sensitivity is 60, but you will likely need to tweak this yourself over time to identify the optimum setting for your scene.​

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If there is lots of activity in your scene, then avoid setting the sensitivity too high so that you don’t receive lots of false-positive triggers.​

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Note – In the case of Line Crossing and Intrusion Detection, the sensitivity setting refers to the amount of an object that is needed to cross the line, or enter the box that you’ve drawn, before the event is triggered. ​

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Step 8:​

If you’re using AcuSense features, then use the “Detection Target” boxes to specify what you want to trigger the event. You can select both “Human” and “Vehicle” here if you are interested in both.​

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Step 9:​

Click “Save” at this point so that you don’t lose these settings. ​

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You’ll now need to go to the “Arming Schedule” and “Linkage Method” pages to set when you would like the event to be active, and what you would like to happen on triggers.​

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Please refer to sections 4 and 5 below for instructions on how to set these things.​

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Section 2: Setting up line crossing detection​

Step 1:​

In a web browser, go to:​

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Configuration → Event → Smart Event → Line Crossing Detection​

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If you’re using an NVR, select your camera from the dropdown at the top of the page.​

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Step 2:​

Tick the “Enable Line Crossing Detection” box.​

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Step 3:​

Click on the line button or “Draw Area” to draw your line on the video feed – you can move, rotate or resize however you like. ​

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Step 4:​

Set your maximum and minimum target sizes by clicking the size filter buttons, and drawing these on the camera preview.​

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Anything that crosses your line and is smaller than your minimum box, or larger than the maximum box, at the point of the line, will not trigger the event.​

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You should use objects or vehicles in the scene to guide you here. For example, I have set the minimum target size to be slightly smaller than any car that’s near where I’ll draw my line, and the maximum to be slightly larger than a large HGV.​

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Note – It doesn’t matter where boxes are on the feed. Also, these boxes will only be visible on this event page, and will not show up on your footage in the live view or playback pages. ​

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Step 5:​

If you’re using an AcuSense camera or NVR, then specify the “target(s)” that you would like to trigger the event by ticking the box. There is no issue with ticking both “Human” and “Vehicle” here. ​

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Step 6:​

Specify your “Direction”, which refers to the direction from which an object much cross your line to trigger the event. The different options available are explained beneath:​

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A<->B – Any object crossing from either direction will trigger​

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A->B – Any object crossing from side “A” to side “B” will trigger (In this case, from left to right)​

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A<-B – Any object crossing from “B” to “A” will trigger (In this case, from right to left)​

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Step 7:​

Adjust the sensitivity bar to suit your needs. Setting this high will reduce the amount of an object that is needed to cross your line before this is triggered. This will, of course, result in more triggers. As the optimum setting here depends on how busy your scene is, we recommend starting at 60 and then adjusting the bar over time until you find the best results. ​

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Step 8:​

Use the “Line” dropdown to select and draw any more lines, repeating steps 2-8 above.​

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Step 9:​

Click “Save” at this point so that you don’t lose these settings. ​

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You’ll now need to go to the “Arming Schedule” and “Linkage Method” pages to set when you would like the event to be active, and what you would like to happen on triggers.​

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Please refer to sections 4 and 5 below for instructions on how to set these things.​

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Section 3: Setting up intrusion detection​

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Step 1:​

In a web browser, go to:​

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Configuration → Event → Smart Event → Intrusion Detection​

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If connected to an NVR, select your camera from the dropdown at the top of the page.​

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Step 2:​

Tick the “Enable Intrusion Detection” box.​

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Step 3:​

Click on “Draw Area” to draw your intrusion zone (or “Detection Area”) on the video feed, which can be a 3 or 4 sided shape. Left-click on the camera preview to set each of these points. Once your zone is drawn, you can still move each of the points to change the shape to better fit your area of interest.​

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Note – If the edges of your zone are very close to a road, foliage, or anywhere that is likely to see lots of movement, then you will likely see a number of false-positive alerts. This is because any movement on these lines can trigger the event. If you can, you should allow for a bit of a gap between these parts of the scene and your intrusion zone. ​

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Step 4:​

Set your maximum and minimum target sizes by clicking the “Size Filter” buttons, and drawing these on the live camera feed above.​

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Anything that enters your configured intrusion detection zone and is smaller than your “Min” box, or larger than the “Max” box, will not trigger the event.​

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You should use objects or vehicles in the scene to guide you here. For example, I have set the minimum target size to be smaller than the smallest person I’d expect to see in that part of the scene, and the maximum to comfortably cover a very tall person.​

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Note – It doesn’t matter where boxes are on the feed. Also, these boxes will only be visible on this event page, and will not show up on your footage in the live view or playback pages. ​

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Step 5:​

If you’re using an AcuSense camera or NVR, then specify the “target(s)” that you would like to trigger the event by ticking the relevant box. There is no issue with ticking both “Human” and “Vehicle” here.​

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Step 6:​

Now, adjust the “Threshold” bar as you need. This can be set between 1 and 10 seconds and refers to how long an object needs to be within your intrusion zone before triggering the event. For example, setting this to “0” will mean that the event is triggered as soon as a valid target enters your zone.​

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Step 7:​

Adjust the sensitivity bar to suit your needs. Setting this high will reduce the amount of an object that is needed to enter your zone before the event is triggered. This will, of course, result in more triggers. As the optimum setting here depends on how busy your scene is, we recommend setting this to 60 and then adjusting the bar over time until you find the best results.​

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Step 8:​

Use the “Region” dropdown to select and draw any more intrusion zones, repeating steps 2-6 above.​

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Step 9:​

Click on the “Arming Schedule” tab and set this by filling in the hours you want the event to be enabled for in blue.​

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Note – Please see section [1] step 9 above for a more detailed explanation on how to set your arming schedule. ​

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Step 10:​

Click “Save” at this point so that you don’t lose these settings. ​

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You’ll now need to go to the “Arming Schedule” and “Linkage Method” pages to set when you would like the event to be active, and what you would like to happen on triggers.​

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Please refer to sections 4 and 5 below for instructions on how to set these things.​

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Section 4: Setting the Arming Schedule for your events​

Now that you have set your “Area Settings”, click on the “Arming Schedule” tab to set when the event will be active.

This will bring up a timeline with the week broken up into days and hours – depending on the device that you are using, it might look different to the grid below. If a period is filled in blue then the event will be active (or “armed”) for that hour; If the period is white, the event will be off.

Use your mouse to draw up the weekly Arming Schedule that suits. You can also use the popup box that appears when you click on any blue period to finely adjust the start arming times:
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Clicking on the “Erase” button and then a blue period will allow you to clear the arming:
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When you’re happy with this schedule, click “Save”.

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Section 5: Setting up email & push notifications for your events​

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Click on the Linkage Method tab on the event’s page (shown above), which is where you will set up your email notifications, as well as other alert types.​

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The different options are explained below:​

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Audible Warning: This will cause the NVR / browser to bleep when on event triggers.​

Send Email: This will set the NVR to email you on event triggers, with a screenshot of the camera’s view at the time.​

Notify Surveillance Centre: This refers to Hik-Connect and needs to be activated in order to receive push notifications in Hik-Connect.​

Full Screen Monitoring: This will get the NVR to automatically throw up a camera’s live feed in full screen during a trigger for an event set on that camera.​

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To enable Hik-Connect push notifications:​

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To set up push notifications, you need to make sure that Notify Surveillance Centre is ticked as a “Linkage Method”.​

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You also need to make sure that push notifications are enabled for Hik-Connect in your phone’s settings. To enable them via the app, go to:​

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More → Settings → Enable Push Notification​

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Frequently Asked Questions

Note: These guides were written for Uniview NVR users who prefer to change settings remotely using a mobile or desktop browser (Internet Explorer). Remote and local configurations share many similarities and only the locations and availability of each feature may vary. The Uniview NVR Manual can provide more information if what you are looking for is not found in this simple guide or if you prefer local access by connecting a mouse and display to your NVR.

How Do I Access My Uniview Security System?

There are two ways to interface with your Univew Security System and to access all its features and configuration options you can choose to access it locally or remotely. Local access refers to connecting your Network Video Recorder to a display and a USB mouse. The monitor and the mouse will serve as the input-output for interfacing. Remote access refers to connecting to your Network Video Recorder through a browser (Internet Explorer provides the greatest compatibility) installed on a device that is in the same network as the Security System.

Local Access and First Time Setup

The NVR interface can be accessed directly by simply connecting the NVR to a display (this can be done with an HDMI or older VGA cable) and to a mouse. Once the display and the mouse is connected and the login screen is displayed, proceed to login. Since this is the first time, we will be using the default username and password (at the time of writing default login and password are admin and 123456) found on the manual that came with the NVR. 

After logging in, Uniview’s privacy policy will be shown for you to review. Once you have reviewed and accepted, you will immediately gain access to the NVR and cameras connected to it. But, since it is the first time we are logged in and we are still using the default credentials, we will be prompted to change the login information.  You will be using the new password for all your future access with the NVR.

Once the password has been changed, a pattern lock will also be prompted (this is optional and can be skipped). After doing so, the Privacy Policy will be displayed for the user to review. The screen that follows the Privacy Policy will let us connect our mobile devices to the NVR. This will grant access to Live View, alerts, and other configurations we may want.

The device QR code will be presented here. Allowing you access to the EZCloud feature. Devices can be added to the cloud manually but it is far easier to just use a link given from the QR code. If you want to pair the NVR with the EZView app, click here to read more about it. 

The next step is to set or synchronize the time. This step will ensure that all scheduling configurations you will set and all alerts and alarm information will be accurate and will work based on your local time.

After this, you will be prompted to check the TCP/IP settings, the default settings will work for most people. If you need to specify networking (usually when DHCP is not enabled on other devices on the network), please do so here. You will still be able to alter this later.

Once the time and the password have been configured, you are now ready to enable and disable the features of the NVR.

To access the menu, you can right-click on any part of the screen and then click on Menu. It can also be accessed along with other options by moving your cursor to the bottom left of the screen. This will take you to the SETUP screen where you can enable and customize alerts, features, and other options available to you.

Remote Access and First Time Setup

You can also access the NVR interface through the use of a browser on a device connected to the same network as the NVR. To do this, you will need the IP address of the NVR you wish to connect to. The easiest way to find this on a Windows PC is with Uniview’s EZTools which can be downloaded here. Once installed on your computer, running the EZtools will automatically show you all connected Uniview devices.

The IP address can also be obtained by logging into your router and checking connected devices, using the command prompt (arp -a command and checking for new devices on the private network) or simply using another display for the NVR to check the current IP address of the device.

Note: Any browser should work to alter configurations, however using Internet Explorer will be the easiest to access the live view. (due to some newer browsers not supporting certain plugins). 

From here, we can see the IP address given by our router to the NVR. 192.168.254.192. It will likely be different for you. Clicking on the Remote Web button will open your default browser and take you to the NVR interface.

You can then proceed to login to your Uniview NVR Interface. Since this is the first time, we will be using the default username and password found on the manual that came with the NVR. After logging in, Uniview’s privacy policy will be shown for you to review. Once you have reviewed and accepted, you will immediately gain access to the NVR and cameras connected to it. But, since it is the first time we are logged in and we are still using the default credentials, we will be prompted to change the login information. You will be using the new password for all your future access with the NVR.

Once the password has been updated, you will be greeted by the Live View display. Clicking on any of the cameras found on the left will show you live footage from it. In this case, a single IP camera is connected to the 4-Channel NVR.

From here, you can now click on SETUP to access all configurations and features and set them up to your preference.

Uniview How To Guides 2024

How Do I Start Recording And Scheduling?

Once properly installed and powered, most Uniview Security System immediately starts recording and saving footage to the Hard Disk Drive. To configure when and what types of footage you choose to save, you only need to navigate to the Recording Schedule tab.

Navigation: Setup > Camera > Schedule

Pre-Record and Post-Record:

If the Pre-Record and Post-Record values are set to 60 seconds and 300 seconds respectively and using motion detection as a trigger, here is how it will play together:
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Event-Types:

The setup that is shown on the screenshot above can be interpreted this way. During weekdays, from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the system will monitor and record all footage into memory. The rest of the day, the system will not record anything unless a motion trigger or an alarm event is detected. During weekends, the system will not record anything except for motion-triggered events. During holidays, the system will not record anything unless an event is triggered.

How Do I View Playback, Timeline, and Events?

The Playback tab is found between the Live View and Setup tabs of your Uniview Web-Based Interface. As always, Internet Explorer would provide the widest range of options not available to other browsers.

Navigation: Playback

The playback sidebar is the first point of interest. The top drop-down allows you to filter what types of playback you wish to view. The options are as follows:

Normal: Default playbacks and scheduled recording sessions.

Tag: Shows a playback list that matches a tag keyword.

To utilize this feature, you will need to create tags on certain times you want to save for future reference. To do this, click on the time you want to create your tag and click on the Add Customized Tag button on the toolbar as shown here:

A window will open that allows you to name your tag and adjust the time.

After clicking OK, the new tag will be created. To search for tagged footage, change the filter into Tag, click on the Camera, specify the Keyword, set the time range to search between, and then click search as shown below:

This will display all tagged footage that matches the Keywords.

Event: Shows playback list for a matching event. Very similar to the above example but a simpler approach is only looking for footage of recorded events. To use this function change the filter to Event, choose a specific Event-Type from the drop-down list, select the Camera, specify the Time Range the system will search. Click search. This will display all events that match the Event-Type captured by the camera within the time range.

Smart: The system analyzes recordings for smart search results. 

How Do I Monitor And Manage My Storage?

To monitor and manage your storage, you will need to access the Hard Disk group on the setup. The settings and their functions are explained below.

Navigation: Setup > Hard Disk > Hard Disk

Hard Disk

This tab shows you details of the current storage situation of your NVR. The total capacity and the available free space can be monitored from this tab alongside options to add and more storage.

Disk Group

This tab allows the creation and management of Disk Groups. A handy tool if managing a large number of Hard Disks and to simplify storage allocation.

Navigation: Setup > Hard Disk > Disk Group

The disk group feature allows us to assign hard disks to a disk group and use the disk group to store recordings and snapshots of specified cameras. Different arrays can be assigned to different disk groups. Redundant disks cannot be assigned to any disk group. Disk group information will be initialized if any disk in the group is formatted.

Allocate Space

This tab allows setting a maximum storage allocation for each camera on a disk group.

Navigation: Setup > Hard Disk > Allocate Space

Advanced

This tab will determine what the Network Video Recorder will do once the Hard Disk Drives are full and new footage needs to be saved. Setting this to Overwrite should allow the NVR to delete older footage to make space for new ones to be saved while setting this to Stop will prevent any new recordings to be saved.

Navigation: Setup > Hard Disk > Advanced

How Do I Set Up Tamper Detection?

To set up Tamper Detection, you will need to access the Tampering section of the Camera Setup.

Navigation: Setup > Camera > Tampering

How Do I Set Up Motion Detection?

Navigation: Setup > Camera > Motion

How Do I Set Up Face Detection?

The Face Detection feature creates an EVENT when a person’s face is detected by the Video Content Analysis. It will then proceed to take screenshots of the person or persons detected.

Navigation: Setup > VCA > Face Detection

How Do I Set Up Line Crossing Detection?

The Cross Line Detection feature creates an EVENT when an object crossed a specified line. This feature has 3 modes. A<->B which creates an event whenever an object crosses the line. A->B which only triggers when an object moves from side A to side B. B->A which only triggers when an object moves from side B.

Navigation: Setup > VCA > Cross Line Detection

How Do I Set Up Intrusion Detection?

The Intrusion Detection feature creates an EVENT when an object that meets the minimum size relative to the region (based on percentage) enters any of the specified regions and stays inside the region past the minimum time threshold.

Navigation: Setup > VCA > Intrusion Detection

How Do I Set Up People Counting?

The people counting feature is used to monitor the number of people entering or leaving an area.

Navigation: Setup > VCA > People Counting

How Do I Adjust Image Enhancements, Exposure, Infrared, and Starlight?

Although fully-functional and is configured by default, you can specify desired image enhancements on the Image tab.

Navigation: Setup > Camera > Image

How Do I Adjust Resolution, Frame Rate, Bit Rate, and Video Compression?

Adjusting the resolution, frame rate, bit rate, and compression of recorded footage can be done by navigating to the Encoding Tab.

Navigation: Setup > Camera > Encoding

How Do I Name My Cameras and Manage On-Screen Display?

Navigation: Setup > Camera > OSD

How Do I Directly Transfer Footage From My Security System to My USB?

To transfer footage from the Network Video Recorder to your USB, you will need to create a video clip from the recorded footage, then save it to your USB.

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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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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:​

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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.

ALIBI Vigilant NVR User Manual, This manual describes how to use your NVR locally and on the Web interface.
In this manual, the terms “IP camera” and “IPC” both refer to “network camera”, which requires a connection to the network. The IP device mentioned in this manual refers to either an IP camera (also known as network camera) or a Digital Video Server

Preface

This manual describes how to use your NVR locally and on the Web interface.

In this manual, the terms “IP camera” and “IPC” both refer to “network camera”, which requires a connection to the network. The IP device mentioned in this manual refers to either an IP camera (also known as network camera) or a Digital Video Server (DVS).

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Part I Local Operations

An NVR supports two types of operations: local operations and web-based remote operations. With local operations you connect a monitor and a mouse to the NVR and use the mouse to operate the system. If your NVR has buttons on the front panel or is delivered with a remote control, you may also control your NVR by pressing the front panel buttons or using the remote control.

The NVR has an embedded web server that allows web-based operations. To do this, you need a PC that has a network connection to the NVR and is installed with a web browser. You just need to navigate to the NVR’s IP address and log in to the Web interface like you log in to the system locally.

This section describes local operations.

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1 before you begin

Please be aware that the parameters that are grayed out on the system user interface (UI) cannot be modified. The parameters and values displayed may vary with device. Figures in this manual are for illustration purposes only.

User Login

Use the default username admin and password 123456 for your first login.

j^ CAUTION!

The default password is intended only for the first login only. It should be immediately changed to a strong password. Strong Passwords contain at least nine characters that include letters, numbers and special characters.

Local Operations

You can refer to Initial Configuration and complete a quick configuration.

NOTE!

Unless otherwise specified, all operations described in this manual are performed with a mouse by the right hand. See Mouse Operations for details.

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Mouse Operations

Table 1–1 Mouse Operations

Front Panel Buttons

The front panel buttons may vary with NVR model.

Table 1–2 Front Panel Buttons 1

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Table 1–3 Front Panel Buttons 2

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Remote Control

Table 1–4 Functions of the Buttons on the Remote Control

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ALIBI Vigilant NVR

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2 initial configuration

Preparation

Device Login

The login page appears after the NVR starts up.

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Login

Please change the default password. Change now?

No

Change Password

Username  admin

Old Password

Password  Weak

Confirm

OK  Cancel

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Note:

To disable unlock pattern, click System > User. See User
Configuration for details.

Wizard

The wizard can guide you to complete the most basic setup. The following page appears after your login:

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Note:

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3 live view

Live View Status

The following icons are used to indicate alarms, recording status, and audio status in a live view window.

Table 3–1 Live View Window Icons

Window Toolbar

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Screen Toolbar

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Shortcut Menu

A shortcut menu as shown below appears when you right-click in a window. Some menu items are described in Shortcut Menu Description.

Table 3–2 Shortcut Menu

Table 3–3 Shortcut Menu Description

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Sequence Operation

The sequence operation requires you to configure the screen layout, windows, linked cameras, and the sequence interval.

This example describes how to configure sequence for five cameras based on a 4-window screen layout.

NOTE!

The number of windows that can be displayed may vary with NVR
model.

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NOTE!

Zoom

Zoom in on an area of images in a window for details.

Preview Configuration

Normally, live view (video) is available after you complete the basic setup by following the wizard. You can click System > Preview and edit preview setting as needed, including video output, image resolution, default layout, and sequence interval. The video output and the number of windows supported may vary with NVR model.

NOTE!

Pressing and holding the scroll wheel for at least 3 seconds will
restore the default resolution.

Preview Configuration

Each preview window (window for short) links to a camera. By default, window 1 links to camera D1, window 2 links to camera D2, and so on. You may want to change the link to display live video from a camera in another specified window. The following example describes how to link window 1 to camera D2 and link window 2 to camera D1.

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Step 1: Click window 1 on the right, and then click D2 under Camera on the left. Now D2 appears in window 1, and None appears in window 2. Meanwhile, o is cleared for camera D1, meaning D1 is not linked to any window.

Step 2: Click window 2 on the right, and then click D1 under

Camera on the left. Now D1 appears in window 2. Click Apply to

save the settings.

Advanced Configuration

Click the Advanced tab and then select Sub Stream First so the NVR uses the sub stream to establish live video from multiple cameras simultaneously. This function is disabled by default.

ALIBI Vigilant NVR User Manual

Read Next : Alibi Recorder Firmware

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4 channel configuration

Channel Management

This chapter describes how to add and manage IP devices in your NVR. The IP devices mentioned in this manual mainly refer to IP camera (or network camera); sometimes they can also be Digital Video Server (DVS). Before you start, make sure the IP devices are connected to your NVR via network.

CAUTION!

An IP device should be connected to one NVR only. An IP device managed by multiple NVRs may cause unwanted issues.

Adding an IP Device

This section provides multiple options to add an IP device. Some options are only applicable to certain NVR models. Choose one as appropriate.

Option 1

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NOTE!

For a Digital Video Server (DVS), a window appears when you click
Add, and you need to select channels to add the connected
cameras.

Option 2

This option is not applicable to NVRs with PoE ports or switching ports.

Option 3

This option is only applicable to NVRs with PoE ports or switching ports. Connect an IP camera to a PoE port or a switching port with a network cable. The connected camera will be added to the NVR

automatically. Check status under Camera > Camera > Camera.

0 means live video from the camera is available. Click © to view

live video.

If the camera is connected via a network switch, click ışı under

Cam Config in the window displayed, set Add Mode to Manual

and then complete the settings correctly.

NOTE!

» appears under Status if the power output from a PoE port is
below or above the rated power of the connected camera.

Option 4

Use this option to add an IP device that is connected to a different router, for example, when the NVR and the IP device are connected across the Internet.

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NOTE!

First you need to enable port mapping at Setup > Port > Port
Mapping on the IP device’s Web interface.

• By MyDDNS

a. On the IP device’s Web interface, go to Setup > Network > DDNS, enable DDNS, select MyDDNS, set a domain name and get the server address.

NOTE!

• By a domain name

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NOTE!

Option 5

Use this option only when the IP device to add supports the standard RTSP, and all you need from the IP device are just view live and playback. IP devices added in this way cannot be configured from the NVR.

Sort Cameras

Sort cameras to display in the desired order.

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NOTE!

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NOTE!

Fisheye Configuration

Only certain NVR models can dewarp images from fisheye cameras.

NOTE!

Fisheye configuration is supported only by certain fisheye
cameras.

Configuration

Dewarping

NOTE!

Dewarping is available in live view and playback (in normal and
corridor playback modes). The operations are similar. The
following describes dewarping in live view.

Click Fisheye Mode on the window toolbar. The figure below appears. Set mounting mode and display mode.

Fisheye Mode x

Mount

Display Mode

Three mounting modes are available: ceiling, wall, desktop. Ceiling and desktop mounting modes use the same dewarping

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Operations Example: Ceiling Mount and Fisheye+3PTZ camera

On a PTZ image, drag the mouse to rotate the image or use the scroll wheel to zoom in or out. A box appears on the fisheye image as the image rotates, and as you drag the box or move the scroll wheel on the fisheye image, the corresponding PTZ image rotates or zooms in or out as well.

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Advanced Functions

Upgrade connected IP cameras or restore factory default settings for cameras under Camera > Camera > Advanced.

Click Check to see if the version of the connected IP camera is up to date. You may upgrade cameras by cloud ( ) or by disk ( ) one by one, or select multiple cameras and then click Upgrade by Cloud or By Disk to upgrade cameras in batches.

OSD Configuration

On Screen Display (OSD) are characters displayed with video images, for example, camera name, date and time, and people counting statistics.

Click Camera > OSD; or click

on the preview window toolbar.

NOTE!

If camera name exceeds 20 characters, only the first 20 characters
will be used as the OSD camera name.

• If camera name exceeds 20 characters, and you want to overlay a different camera name on video image:

Image enhancement

Exposure

1. Click the Exposure tab.

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