How often do you directly access NVR ?

[geek7899]

Hey all,

While I am setting up a new NVR, (which will live in the attic - not readily accessible all the time physically), I have an option of running a mouse extender and video cable to my study which will plug into my existing desktop monitor, so I can view / change the NVR settings.

My question is - after the initial setup, what use cases in a residential environment make you want to access the NVR ?

Its a Dahua NVR if that makes any difference.

Thanks

 

[TechieTech]

Exporting video to a USB flash drive. No way would I ever put a NVR in an attic...between hot and cold the temperatures are just too extreme. Even a POE switch would be iffy.

 

[geek7899]

Exporting video to a USB flash drive.

Cant the file be downloaded to a PC via the iVMS or SmartPSS Lite softwares ?

 

[Flintstone61]

If you add SD cards to the cameras, you can view/review pertinent footage on a PC logged into the NVR and screen capture the playback with windows snipping tool.? maybe?

 

[Flintstone61]

Here is a way to do it using Amcrest ( Dahua OEM) Surveillance Pro on a PC....
View attachment Recording 2026-03-30 024020.mp4

 

[bigredfish]

Hey all,

While I am setting up a new NVR, (which will live in the attic - not readily accessible all the time physically), I have an option of running a mouse extender and video cable to my study which will plug into my existing desktop monitor, so I can view / change the NVR settings.

My question is - after the initial setup, what use cases in a residential environment make you want to access the NVR ?

Its a Dahua NVR if that makes any difference.

Thanks

2017 - last time I accessed the direct machine interface

There is almost zero need to access the NVR direct. The Web GUI works fine

As to the attic, I have two 2017 NVR’s in NEMA boxes outside in the Florida heat and multiple hurricanes since. They share these boxes with a cable modem, router, and mid span

It’ll be fine

 

[bigredfish]

Cant the file be downloaded to a PC via the iVMS or SmartPSS Lite softwares ?

Yes

- Via a browser connected to the NVR GUI over the LAN

- via SmartPSS lite

- via DMSS mobile app.

No need for SD cards other than limited backup if a HD fails

 

[tigerwillow1]

My NVR has been in the crawlspace for 7 to 8 years. Brought it up once to swap the hard disk. I have a wireless mouse receiver plugged in, and a VGA cable running to the closet above. I've used the direct connect monitor a few times, not at all for the last few years.

 

[Ssayer]

My NVR is Blue Iris. The monitor sets right next to where I sit. So... constantly...

 

[Flintstone61]

Exporting video to a USB flash drive. No way would I ever put a NVR in an attic...between hot and cold the temperatures are just too extreme. Even a POE switch would be iffy.

I had an amcrest 4108 (dahua rebrand) NVR and also an XVR in remote garage up by the rafters for a couple years each...in temps over 90F outdoors that would push that garage stall to near or above 100F and then below zero for days at a time in winter. Both then followed me home,,,, where they lived for a couple more years in a garage with similar temps. Took the HDD from them and put in a 4116 NVR,,and it's going on 5 years for that drive,..
My Poe switches have also spent time at both locations.

 

[geek7899]

2017 - last time I accessed the direct machine interface

Thank you, just the type of reply I was after

Yes

- Via a browser connected to the NVR GUI over the LAN

thanks, thought so too ....

My NVR has been in the crawlspace for 7 to 8 years. Brought it up once to swap the hard disk. I have a wireless mouse receiver plugged in, and a VGA cable running to the closet above. I've used the direct connect monitor a few times, not at all for the last few years.

Thanks

Might save the money by skipping the mouse and video extenders running from attic to study, and use web GUI or proprietary software

 

[geek7899]

I had an amcrest 4108 (dahua rebrand) NVR and also an XVR in remote garage up by the rafters for a couple years each...in temps over 90F outdoors that would push that garage stall to near or above 100F and then below zero for days at a time in winter. Both then followed me home,,,, where they lived for a couple more years in a garage with similar temps. Took the HDD from them and put in a 4116 NVR,,and it's going on 5 years for that drive,..
My Poe switches have also spent time at both locations.

Good to know there are others who think similar.

When I first had a CCTV system installed, the installer didn't say anything about the NVR going in attic. That Hikvision NVR has been going for past 11 years. Its just the past couple of months its stopped recording and one of the hard disks appeared failed. Constant beeping from NVR.
Replacement cameras and NVR are on the way from Andy.
The new installer who I spoke to suggested to put it in linen cabinet, which would be easily accessible, plus also to save from the heat/cold temperature variance.
I'm thinking if its easily accessible to me, it'd be also easily accessible to someone else in case of a break-in ...