Hikvision security cameras are one of the most popular choices in security installations and they come in various types that are quite affordable for the regular home or business owner.
There’s a reason why Hikvision cameras are so widely deployed all over the world; they offer both high performance and the best price range (it’s even cheaper if you go with the OEM versions).
There are two basic systems, the DVRs which work with HD coaxial cameras; and NVRs which work with IP cameras.
The cameras send the video feed to the recorder which serves as the main hub and the footage is recorded (stored) in the internal recorder’s hard drives. The more hard drives, and the bigger the size, the more recording space (hence, more days/weeks of saved footage).
What happens when the hard drive gets full? How to delete specific recordings from my Hikvision system? How to erase all the recordings stored on my Hikvision NVR or DVR? Can someone delete my recordings? Is it possible to erase specific timeframes from my security system?
All these questions will be answered in this guide. We will show you in detail how to delete camera recordings from your Hikvision NVR, DVR, IP camera, or cloud service.
The instructions are valid for Hikvision USA devices and the OEM (non-branded, or third-party branded) versions
Methods to delete recordings from Hikvision devices
Let’s start by answering the question “Can you delete recordings from a Hikvision recorder?”
Of course, YES, there are various methods that allow you to delete camera recordings from a Hikvision DVR, NVR (or standalone IP camera).
You can delete the footage by directly accessing the recorder, or via a web browser, through the computer-based monitoring software, or even a phone app.
Obviously, you need to be authorized to delete such recordings, you need to have the admin login information (username and password) and then you can select any clips from the timeline and have them erased from the system. If you can’t access the system, then you can’t erase recordings (with some exceptions).
How to delete the footage from a Hikvision DVR or NVR (using the local interface)
First of all, you need to understand what loop recording means and how it works. Loop recording is a function on a security camera system that allows the system to automatically overwrite the footage. This means there’s no need to manually delete the recordings in order to make room for the new footage.
The loop recording feature is enabled by default on most security reputable brands. Once the system starts to record (regardless if it’s in motion or continuous mode), the system will automatically erase the oldest footage to make space for the new one that is just being recorded.
Basically, the content is overwritten cyclically and the user doesn’t have to worry if the hard drive is full.
The more hard drive units installed on the recorder, and the bigger their size, the more days of recording. Regular systems usually record for 15-30 days before overwriting the footage; other systems that have more terabytes can record 60-360 days.
If you’re one of those users that worry about the security system’s hard drive getting full and missing footage, you don’t have to worry!
Almost all systems, including Hikvision, feature the ground loop feature which means there’s no need to erase any clips manually!
However, for various reasons, some users need to delete the camera recording from Hikvision NVR and DVR. Before you start, ensure you’re authorized to access and take action on the system. Any improper use may be considered illegal and you’ll get in trouble with the law.
To completely delete security camera footage from your Hikvision DVR or NVR, you need to format the hard drive(s). To do so, follow the steps listed below:
- Connect the DVR or the NVR to a TV/monitor using the HDMI cable (or VGA for older models).
- Access the unit using your admin account (username and password).
- Right-click with the mouse and then go to the Main Menu. Navigate to HDD or Disk Management option.
- On that screen, you should see listed all installed hard drives in the unit.
- Select the hard drive(s) and then you can either hit Format or Init (short for “initialization”). This action will format the hard drive and erase all the videos stored in it.
The old interface:
The new (4.0 GUI) interface:
Once the format is done, you’ll see a message on the screen. There’s no need to do other settings or modify the configuration, formatting the hard drive doesn’t affect the settings at all.
The unit will start to record again following the existing configuration, except now the hard drive is empty and all the previous recordings have been erased.
How to delete individual videos on Hikvision devices
This is complicated, and the answer depends on the Hikvision recorder type and model. Unformatoney, in most Hikvision models, you can’t erase individual clips. If it’s necessary to erase something, you have to format the whole hard drive(s) which will delete all the recordings.
However, to see if your system has the option to delete specific clips, go to the Playback section of the recorder, select the camera and search for the files. There are a few buttons at the bottom of the timeline, click on the one that has a gear icon.
This option is called File Management and will open tabs with other options. There, you should see the clips of your selected timeline. On the right side, you can see the Export option.
If your recorder supports the option to erase individual files, you should see a Delete button. All you have to do is select the relevant files on the left side of the panel (check the box beside each filename), and then hit Delete to have the selected recording erased.
Another method to delete an individual video from a Hikvision DVR or NVR consists of removing the hard drive from the recorder and connecting it to a computer.
Hikvision runs on Linux, but you still will be able to see the content listed by the date (again, this depends on the model and firmware version of your recorder). Simply delete the files you want to, and then install the hard drive back into the recorder.
If you can’t erase any recording individually, the last option left is to format the whole hard drive (as shown in the first section above), and all the footage will be gone.
For how long are recordings stored in a Hikvision DVR or NVR
The longevity of the recordings on a security system depends on various factors such as the total number of cameras, the size of the hard drive, the number of installed hard drives, the camera quality, and the type of recording mode (motion, continuous, combined).
Usually, for a regular 4-8 camera system, the recorder will store the footage for about 15 days. The more hard drives you have installed, the longer the videos are stored. For important facilities such as businesses, hotels, schools, supermarkets, etc, the recording may be saved up to a year.
If you want to know exactly how many days of videos are stored in your recorders, simply go to the Playback section of your recorder and see the calendar.
Each date that contains footage is marked down, check the earliest marked date and then calculate the total number of marked days.
If you want to extend the recording longevity, you can install extra hard drives with higher terabytes (such as the ones here), set the system to record on motion detection, lower the bitrate, and set the frames to 15FPS. By doing these configurations, you may add another 15 days of saved footage to your security camera system.
Can you restore deleted videos?
Technically, all the erased videos can be restored (or retrieved). When a video is erased, the video is still there, but the software has marked it as “erased” and is available for overwriting.
Then, when the footage is actually overwritten (the new video stored) then the old recorders are truly gone and can’t be restored.
However, there’s no “undo” button on the recorder. If you have erased the footage (or formatted it), the video is gone and you can retrieve it using special methods only (such as the one listed here).
It’s not free to restore erased videos, and in some cases, it will be way over expensive. So, before erasing anything, make sure you have already backed up the important recordings. More explanations are here.
Can unauthorized people delete your video recordings
A stranger or an intruder, can’t delete the video without knowing the admin credentials of the recorder. They need to punch in the username and password, locate the hard drive on the settings and then format it. But they can’t do that if they can’t access the unit.
However, a thief can use other unconventional methods such as snatching the hard drive or the whole recorder. And that happens quite often, burglars steal the whole DVR or NVR to hide the video evidence.
If they have enough time, they can trace the wiring, or check the closets, or basement and once the recorder is located, they will simply take it with them (and later destroy it).
Also, sometimes security devices may be compromised. For example, some firmware versions have bugs that allow hackers to remotely access the unit (if the recorder is connected to the internet).
If so, they can delete the footage, back it up, or simply watch it, and perform other actions on the unit. It’s always recommended to update your Hikvision devices to the latest firmware version. Contact Hikvision USA or the OEM seller and get the right firmware from them.
Conclusion
It’s possible to erase recordings from your Hikvison DVR or NVR. You can format the hard drive which will erase everything, or delete individual clips if the recorder supports the feature.
Additionally, you may remove the hard drive and connect it to a computer which allows you to erase the files individually.
Before erasing anything, make sure you have backed up the important videos. Also, you need to know the username and password in order to access the unit and erase the footage.
And remember, thieves can steal the recorder altogether and they don’t even need to access the settings. Your need to secure the physical recorder and hide it in a good spot. For our security camera recommendations, check this list.
