If you’re wondering how to export recordings from a Swann DVR or NVR using a USB drive, then this is the guide you need to follow. Exporting videos is an easy task, however you need to know a few things before you start.
The basic procedure is simple across all the Swann recorders:
- Insert the USB stick to the recorder
- Search and locate the recordings you need to backup
- Export to the flash drive.
Below we have listed the instructions for various Swann DVRs and NVRs, locate the model and follow the step by step guide. If you’re not sure about your recorder’s model, just check the user interface, if it’s the same as the illustrations then the steps work for your machine.
Quik links
- The guide section for: DVRx-4480V, 4580V, 4780V, 4980, 5580 and NVRx-8580
- The guide section for: DVRx-1000, 1250, 1260, 1425, 1450, 2555, 2900, 3000, 3200, 3250, 3260, 3425, 3450, 4000, 4100, 4150, 4200, 4400, 4600, 1580, 4550, 4750, 5000, and HDR6-8000, 8100, and HDR4-8200 and NVRx-7072, 7082, 7085, 7285, 7300, and 7400
- The guide section for: DVRx-1500, 1525, 1550, 1575, 4300, 4350, 4500, 4900, 8050, 8075, HDR8-8200 and HDRx-8050 and NVRx-7000, 7090, 7095, 7200, 7250, 8000
- The guide section for: DVRx-1590, 1600, 4480, 4575, 4780, 4980 and NVRx-7450, 8580
Instructions for: DVRx-4480V, 4580V, 4780V, 4980, 5580 and NVRx-8580
Connect the USB drive to the recorder
Ensure that you use a USB stick or flash drive (not external HDD) that has a capacity of 32GB or lower.
Search for recordings
- From the Live feed, right-click then select the Menu icon and go to Search.
- At the top, make sure you are on Events.
- Choose a date you wanted to search by clicking the small calendar icon then select a date.
- Set a time range OR you can leave it from 0:00:00 to 23:59:59
- Choose a File Type (best to leave everything checked).
- Choose a Stream Type (best to leave it on Mainstream to get the highest quality possible).
- Select a Channel by ticking the checkbox.
- Click the Search icon.
Exporting recordings from the Swann DVR or NVR
- Choose a file, tick the checkbox to select a file. Note that there are 3 types of files that can be viewed.
– Thumbnail – sample photo; first icon at the lower right
– List – second icon
– Detail – last icon - Click Backup.
- Choose a Backup type – to ensure that the footage will be easily playable on a PC, choose either AVI or MP4. Note Keep in mind the total size shown below and the capacity of the flash drive you are using.
- Click Save.
- Click on OK – by default, it will be saved on the root folder of the flash drive. You have the option to choose a specific folder if you prefer.
Instructions for: DVRx-1000, 1250, 1260, 1425, 1450, 2555, 2900, 3000, 3200, 3250, 3260, 3425, 3450, 4000, 4100, 4150, 4200, 4400, 4600, 1580, 4550, 4750, 5000, and HDR6-8000, 8100, and HDR4-8200 and NVRx-7072, 7082, 7085, 7285, 7300, and 7400
Connect the flash drive to the unit
Make sure that you use a USB stick or flash drive (not external HDD) that has a capacity of 32GB or lower.
Search for recordings
- Access Menu then proceed to Search then Backup.
- Choose a channel – ensure that the box is white for the selected channel.
- Set the Video Type – best to leave it on ‘All’ to see all types of recordings (continuous or motion).
- Choose a Start and End time – this will be the range where the recorder will search for recordings.
- Click Backup.
Export recordings from the Swann DVR or NVR
- Choose a file – tick the box at the left to choose a file. Watch the Total Size at the bottom to confirm that it will fit on your flash drive.
- Click Next.
- Enable MP4/AVI – to make the footage easily playable on a computer, tick the box and make sure it’s white.
- Click Start – this will then export the recordings on the flash drive.
Instructions for: DVRx-1500, 1525, 1550, 1575, 4300, 4350, 4500, 4900, 8050, 8075, HDR8-8200 and HDRx-8050 and NVRx-7000, 7090, 7095, 7200, 7250, 8000
Connect the flash drive to the unit
Ensure that you use a USB stick or flash drive (not external HDD) that has a capacity of 32GB or lower.
Search for recordings
- Access Menu then proceed to Export.
- Choose Normal.
- Choose a channel – tick the box to select a channel.
- Choose All – for Record Mode and File Type to see all recordings saved.
- Set a Start and End time – this will be the range where the recorder will search for recordings.
- Click Search.
Export the recordings from Swann DVR or NVR
- Choose a file – tick the box at the left to choose a file. Monitor the Total Size information at the bottom to ensure that the footage will fit on your flash drive.
- Click Export.
- Choose a Save Type – this option may not be on your unit but if it does, choose between AVI or MP4.
- Click Export.
- Make sure to choose Video and log – you can go back to this step and choose Player to download the compatible media player.
- Click OK – this will then export the recordings on the flash drive.
Instructions for: DVRx-1590, 1600, 4480, 4575, 4780, 4980 and NVRx-7450, 8580
Connect the flash drive to the unit
Ensure that you use a USB stick or flash drive (not external HDD) that has a capacity of 32GB or lower.
Search for recordings
- Access Menu then proceed to Search then Events.
- Choose a channel – pick one from the dropdown list.
- Set the Type – ‘All’ is recommended so all types of recordings are visible (continuous or motion).
- Choose a Start and End time – the timeframe in which the recorder will search.
- Click Search.
Exporting recordings
- Choose a file – place a tick in the box (check) in the left column to choose a file. Selecting multiple files is possible.
- Click Backup.
- Choose a Backup type – to ensure that the footage will be easily playable on a PC, choose either AVI or MP4. Note: Pay attention to the total footage size shown below and the capacity of the flash drive you are using.
- Click Save.
- Click on OK – by default, it will be saved on the root folder of the flash drive. You have the option to choose a specific folder if you prefer.
