Adding Hikvision Cameras

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Hikvision cameras can be added from the Add Camera discovery, or they can be manually added to a recorder using the Native Hikvision protocol, ONVIF, or via RTSP. The connection methods each have individual sets of best practices outlined below.

Pre-Configuration for Hikvision Prior to Connecting (All Methods)

Scan for and Activate Hikvision Device from SADP Tool

Ensure cameras are running latest camera firmware.
Verify camera is configured as DHCP.

- OR -

If set to static IP, verify that it’s configured with an IP address that matches the scheme of the network it will be connected to.

Configure camera password if required.
Connect to camera via web browser to verify video streams are set to H264.

Enable ONVIF and Creating an ONVIF User

Log into camera webpage at its IP address with configured Username and Password.
Enter Configuration.
Select Network > Advanced Settings.
Select Integration Protocol tab.
Enable ONVIF / Open Network Video Interface and Save.

NOTE: It is important to save before continuing with additional changes. Otherwise, this change may revert.

Click Add on the User List.
Create an ONVIF user profile with a different username than 'Admin.'
Select Administrator for the permission level of the new ONVIF user.
Save.

Disable Enable Illegal Login Lock

Log into camera webpage at its IP address with configured Username and Password.
Enter Configuration.
Select Security > Security Service
Deselect the Enable Illegal Login Lock
Save.

Adding Camera with Built-In Camera Discovery

Ensure the pre-configuration steps noted above are completed, then follow these steps:

Check the box next to the camera being added inside the Add Cameras menu.
Enter Username and Password configured with SADP or from the camera webpage into the Username and Password fields.
Click Add Selected Cameras.

Manually Adding Hikvision Device

If the Hikvision camera isn’t discovered in Add Cameras or needs to be manually added for troubleshooting, they can be added manually using the native Hikvision protocol or via ONVIF.

Manually Adding with Hikvision Protocol

Select Hikvision from the protocol dropdown menu.
Enter Username and Password configured from the SADP tool or the camera webpage.
Enter a unique camera name and click Save.

NOTE: Click Save and Add New if adding multiple cameras at once.

Manually Adding with ONVIF

Some older Hikvision devices may not be fully compatible with the current native Hikvision protocol. In those cases, they can be added as ONVIF. The devices will require additional steps to be compatible with an ONVIF connection as it is not enabled by default inside the camera.

To enable ONVIF through the camera webpage, ensure that the steps above for enabling ONVIF and creating an ONVIF user are completed.

Select ONVIF from the protocol dropdown menu.
Enter the ONVIF Username and Password created when following the above steps.
Enter unique camera name and click Save.

NOTE: Click Save and Add New if adding multiple cameras at once.

Adding Hikvision Devices with RTSP

Adding Hikvision devices may be required for adding multiple channels from an encoder, multi-lens camera, or older Hikvision devices that may not have recent ONVIF compatible or native-integration compatible firmware. It is also an incredibly valuable tool for troubleshooting camera connection or streaming issues.

Steps to Add Hikvision via RTSP

Select RTSP from the protocol dropdown menu.
Enter appropriate Username and Password.
Enter the IP address.
Leave the port field blank.

NOTE: If a specific RTSP Port has been manually configured inside the camera – enter that port instead of leaving blank.

NOTE: The exact RTSP URL will depend on the Hikvision camera model and firmware. Verify exactly what RTSP URL is required for the model you’re adding.

Common RTSP URLs for Single Sensor Hikvision Cameras:

rtsp://<IP address>/h.264/Streaming/Channels/<Stream #>
example: rtsp://192.168.1.177/h.264/Streaming/Channels/1 for the high bandwidth stream

rtsp://<IP address>/h.264/ch<#>/main/av_stream
example: rtsp://192.168.1.177/h.264/ch1/main/av_stream for the high bandwidth stream

Common RTSP URLs for Multi-Sensor Hikvision Cameras or Encoders

rtsp://<IP address>/h.264/Streaming/Channels/<Channel #><Stream #>

Example: rtsp://192.168.1.177/h.264/Streaming/Channels/101 for high bandwidth stream for channel 1

Example: rtsp://192.168.1.177/h.264/Streaming/Channels/102 for secondary stream for channel 11