It’s possible to connect two NVRs together which may help the user manage the cameras better and improve the overall security of the property.
There are a few ways to do this, but the general idea is to add one NVR to another one. The added NVR can either be a local unit (from the same network), or a remote one (from another location).
While the local performance is always solid, the remote one depends on the internet speed and reliability in the remote location. Either way, it’s worth trying and experimenting with it.
In this guide, we will show the procedure of connecting two NVRs together or adding one to another. While the instructions are based on Hikvision models, the logic is the same regardless of the manufacturer or brand name (as long as the firmware supports this feature).
Advantages of combining two NVRs together:
Improve security: You can record a set of cameras two times, one in the original NVR, and then on the new (connected) NVRs. If somehow the first NVR goes bad (or is stolen), you will have the footage saved.
Better Management. You can see all the cameras from one NVR and it’s easier to monitor and manage the property.
Increased storage capacity: By connecting two NVRs, the combined storage capacity of the two devices can be utilized, allowing for longer retention periods or more cameras to be recorded simultaneously.
Redundancy: Connecting two NVRs can provide redundancy so that if one NVR fails, the other can continue to record and provide access to footage.
Remote access: By connecting two NVRs, it can allow remote a
How to combine two NVRs together
As we said, it’s possible to connect two NVRs together by using a wired or wireless connection and add the cameras from the second NVR to the first one.
There are certain requirements that need to be fulfilled before starting this procedure (such as firmware, network configurations, compatibility, etc). We’ve listed them above and ensure that all is done before starting.
Requirements for connecting two NVRs together
Before starting, consider the following requirements:
NVR Compatibility: Make sure that both of your Hikvision NVRs are compatible and have updated firmware. For Hikvision NVRs, the firmware needs to be v4 and newer.
Any outdated firmware needs to be updated others the unit can’t link together. If your unit’s outdated firmware can’t be updated, then you’re out of luck.
Network Connectivity: The two NVRs must be connected to the same network, either through a wired or wireless connection.
However, in some cases, you may even add an NVR remotely using the external IP address of the unit and the server port (which needs to be open/forwarded in the router.
Camera Resolution: Check if both of your NVRs support the same type of camera and make sure that the cameras’ resolution matches the recorder.
While some NVRs will automatically downgrade the resolution, some versions don’t allow adding high-resolution cameras (from the second NVR) to a lower-resolution NVR.
Hikvision: How to Add NVR to NVR
Let’s say you have two NVRs on the same network and on both of them the firmware is v4 or newer. The first thing you need to do is identify the IP address for each unit. You can get this information, either through the SADP or by accessing the NVR directly.
In this case, we’ve installed the SADP (you can download it here) and we can see both NVRs listed there. Also, you need to ensure that the subnet masks and the Gateway information matches.
In the sample above we have two NVRs: 192.168.1.100 and 192.168.101. We will add the second on to the first NVR.
Additionally, you may find the IP address of each unit through the local interface.
- Turn on the NVR, then go to the main menu.
- From the menu, select the “Network“ page.
- On the “Network” section you will find the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway.
Note: Don’t forget to disable the DHCP option on both devices, otherwise the NVRs will get a random IP address every time they reboot.
Adding the second NVR to the first one
There are many ways how the NVRs can be set up in the local network. One of them is shown below; two NVRs are connected to a router/switch and both are on the same network.
On the steps above, you must have noted the IP address of the two units. Let’s access the first NVR by going to the web browser, typing the IP address, and entering the credentials.
Then navigate to Configuration > Camera Management and hit the Add button (as shown below).
On the next window, enter the network information of the second NVR such as IP address, server port, username, and password.
In our case, the IP address is 192.168.1.101, the management (server) port is 8000 (the default one), and enter credentials as well.
After you click OK, you should see another window asking what channels you want to add to the first NVR. You can select all of them or just the channels you’re interested in. Make sure you have enough free channels in the first NVR.
After saving the settings, and rebooting the device, you should be able to watch the second NVR’s channels on the first NVR live view screen. The footage will be recorded simultaneously on both NVRs.
Conclusion
Connecting and combining two NVRs together can provide several benefits, depending on the specific use case. Some potential reasons for connecting two NVRs include increasing the storage space, managing the system better, and having a backup for the important cameras in case the second NVR is damaged or stolen.
The instructions are shown for Hikvison devices, but the logic and the steps are almost the same regardless of brand.
Basically, you need to identify the IP addresses for each unit and add the second one to the first one using the IP address and the credentials.
