Scaling Society CCTV from 24 to 60+ Cameras (NVR & Cable Run Issues)

[a.c]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice on upgrading our residential society’s CCTV infrastructure.

Current Setup: We’re running a 32-channel Hikvision NVR (DS-7632NXI-K2). It’s been reliable, but it will eventually run out of capacity.

The Upgrade Plan & Challenges: We immediately need to scale to ~60-62 cameras, so we are thinking of getting a 128-channel NVR to leave some headroom for future expansion. However, we’re hitting a few roadblocks:

1. Hardware Costs: 128-channel NVRs seem astronomically expensive online, though this might just be inflated marketplace pricing due to stock issues. Does anyone have experience with deployments of this size? Are there more cost-effective ways to scale (e.g., stacking two 64-channel NVRs), or is biting the bullet on a 128-channel unit the best move?
2. Storage Estimates: We are moving to 4MP cameras so will be storing 4MP/H.265+/15fps for 14 days retension (should be enough I believe). The online calculators suggests we need roughly ~24TB of usable storage. For those running similar setups:
   
   • Does the above numbers look good?
3. AI/Smart Search: With 60+ cameras, manually scrubbing timelines for incidents is no longer viable. We absolutely need robust AI/smart search features. Any specific model recommendations that excel in this area?
4. Local Vendors: If anyone knows reliable networking/CCTV vendors in Bangalore who can help source this equipment at realistic prices, please drop their details.

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Cable Run Issue (100m+ Drop): We’re also dealing with a specific edge case: one of our CAT6 cable runs has breached the 100m mark, and the camera is dropping out/failing to connect to the existing NVR. The current suggestion from our installer is to use copper-to-fiber media converters and terminate them closer to the camera to keep the CAT6 segments well under the 100m limit.

For the above can we have multiple swtiches daisy changed at say 90m each and ensure that ip camera from last swtich is <100m away? Would that work?

Has anyone tackled this issue before? Is the fiber media converter the best route, or would something like a PoE extender be a better/cheaper fix?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

 

[steve1225]

NVR Chanel limit:

there are 128 (or even 256) channel NVR from HIK, but only in Ultra line, which is pricey..

Ultra Series

Hikvision Ultra Series NVRs: superior storage and robust recording with advanced technologies. Click For More!

www.hikvision.com

Please remember they have other limits (especially network bandwidth or decoding capabilities), which are the same as 64 or 32 channel NVR from the SAME LINE. So 128 channel NVR is not so good if you want to user 128 cams (those other limits shown very fast).. In 60-70 cams installation they will work very well.

Normal HIK Ultra line (M-line) don't have any local AI capabilities. So for AI you need to have all AI capable cams, which reports intrusions to NVR and NVR simply store it.

There is S-line, but it have low AI limits and is more for AcuSearch capabilities with modern cams...

From what I see in actual HIK catalog, HIK stopped producing NVR models which was capable to add for example AI motion detection to 32 or 64 cams at once. They migrated to AcuSearch NVRs (VPro), where NVR add extra AI capabilities to existing AI capable cams with AcuSeek functionality.

So if you have older non AI cams and want to migrate to AI world, you need to replace all sytem (NVR and cams).

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

Multiple switches (repeaters) is one solution to achieve the distances. This adds more points of failure, and can be problematic for reasons including added latency from the distant cam locations, you will also need power at the respective repeater location(s).

Ideal would be fiber to overcome the longer distances. It should be noted, whether you use a fiber media converter or install switches that have support for fiber (SFP's); you will still need power at the far end for the camera and/or the switch