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Getting started with your Hikvision recorder or IP cameraUpdated 8 months ago

Purpose of the guide

Whether you have a single camera, or a recorder and multiple cameras, this guide will help you set up your Hikvision equipment, show how to view it on mobile devices and configure the settings, along with any other information that may be useful.


We have tried to provide the most comprehensive set of instructions possible, but if you find anything is missing please get in touch and we will be able to assist.


If you have purchased a kit intended for use on a farm, please see these articles instead.


Table of contents


Before you begin

Even if you have experience with Hikvision systems it is usually best to set everything up in one room first, with a direct connection to the internet router. If there are any issues with the setup, it is usually harder to resolve if the equipment is already installed in place.


This is not just recommended but necessary if your recorder or cameras will be connected to the router indirectly via a bridge or switch system, because these devices can struggle to automatically configure their network settings if they are not directly connected to the router during setup. Once the device has been connected to the network for the first time and been configured, it is fine to disconnect and reconnect them via the switch or bridge.


If you have an IP system that is brand new, make sure that you set a password on the recorder before connecting your cameras. The reason for this is that if the camera is connected before the recorder password is set, the camera will try to automatically set the same password as the recorder. This causes the camera to set a blank password, preventing it from connecting to the recorder, which requires the password to be reset.


During the initial setup, you will need a TV/monitor with a mouse, a desktop computer that is connected to the same internet router as the recorder/camera, or a phone/tablet that is connected to the same internet router as the recorder/camera.


If you are interested in learning about the basics of CCTV and networking, please read this article which gives an overview of the technology and common terms used: 

Basics of a Home Network and CCTV Systems 


Help & support

If you are having trouble setting up your Hikvision equipment, you can get in touch with us via email for free support. 


If you would like to book a remote support session so we can help configure the system for you, please take a look at our support packages:

Our Support & Service Packages


If you are a trade installer and you would like to book a remote support session, please see here:

Dedicated Trade Installer Support


How to wire up your system

Usually, it is pretty self-explanatory, but if you aren't sure how to connect your system together please look at our list of wiring diagrams to get a general idea.


Some common systems are:

IP camera, PoE injector, WiFi bridge, PoE injector, router

BNC camera, DVR, router

IP camera, PoE injector, WiFi bridges, router (with or without NVR)

IP camera, recorder, router


Setting up cameras

How to insert an SD card into a Hikvision PTZ camera

How to install a Hikvision PTZ speed dome camera

How to set your TVI 4 in 1 Hikvision camera to the correct output mode


How do I set it up?

If you are new to setting up CCTV cameras, please watch this video.

Five common mistakes when installing a video security system


Using a TV with HDMI cable and mouse

Follow the setup wizard and creating a password for the recorder first and then formatting the HDD to the device will start recording.

How to set up a Hikvision recorder and cameras (GUI3.0 + 4.0)


Using a computer

How to set up a Hikvision recorder or camera (iVMS4200)

How to set up a Hikvision Wi-Fi camera (iVMS4200)


Using a phone/tablet

How to create a Hik-Connect account & set up a recorder or camera (Hik Connect)


Remote viewing

There are two ways to view your system remotely;


1. Use the Hik-Connect app which allows you to view your system by making use of the Hikvision servers. This is free and easy to set up, which is why we recommend it for most users. Please note that the Hik-Connect app is not the same as the Hik-Connect account. For example you can log into your Hik-Connect account on the desktop program, iVMS-4200, in order to view your cameras remotely. Of course, this won't work in a program that was not created by Hikvision.


If you did not set up your recorder/camera using the Hik-Connect app, you will need to create an account and add your device to view it remotely using the free Hikvision servers. This service is used by most people on phones and tablets, but you can log into Hik-Connect on iVMS4200 (the Hikvision program for viewing your cameras on a Windows or Mac computer) if you have it installed on the remote computer you are using.


2. Port forward your device, which is done by configuring your internet router to allow access to the IP address of the recorder from devices that aren't on the same local network, and setting up a "Domain Name System" address, or DNS address as it is more commonly known. This is useful because it provides a direct connection to the recorder or camera, rather than the data being sent to the Hikvision servers then to your phone/tablet/computer. This means that you can use a third-party CCTV program or app and enter your DNS address details, rather than needing to rely on an app/program and servers maintained by Hikvision.


Using the Hik-Connect app for remote viewing via a phone or tablet

Using a TV with HDMI cable and mouse

Set up Hik-Connect (GUI 3.0 + 4.0)


Using a computer

Set up Hik-Connect (iVMS 4200)

Set up Hik-Connect (Internet Explorer)


Using a phone/tablet

How to set up an account and add a device (Hik-Connect) (start at 2:47 if you have already set up a Hik-Connect account)

How to share a Hik-Connect device with another user (Hik-Connect)


Using port forwarding for remote viewing via a desktop computer, phone or tablet

Configuring port forwarding yourself

Follow this guide, which will show you how to port forward your device, and provide some advice on how to set up a DNS address or static IP address.


Booking a support session with the Helpdesk team

If you would prefer not to do this yourself, we can book you in for a support session, so a member of the Helpdesk team can remotely log into your computer to set this up for you. This includes the process of us setting up a custom DNS address for you, along with other benefits.

Our Support & Service Packages


Using this DNS address with Hik-Connect

Once the address is set up, you can use the DNS address within Hik-Connect if you wish. Follow this Hikvision guide to see how to do so.


How to configure the basic settings

Using a TV with HDMI cable and mouse

Setting up a recording schedule (GUI 4.0)

Configuring motion detection recording (GUI 4.0)

Configuring Motion Recording On the New Gui

Configuring line crossing recording (GUI 4.0)

Set image quality and schedule (GUI 4.0) 

Activating Audio



Using a computer

Configuring line crossing recording (iVMS-4200)

Search events (iVMS-4200)

Set video & image settings (iVMS-4200)

How to view real time and historical events (iVMS-4200)

Activating Audio


Using a phone/tablet

Set alarm settings (Hik-Connect)


How to export and playback video footage

Playing footage back

Using a TV with HDMI cable and mouse

Playback and export footage (GUI 4.0)

How to operate playback (GUI 4.0)

How to search 'Event' logs (GUI 4.0)


Using a computer

Playback footage (iVMS-4200)


Exporting footage

Using a TV with HDMI cable and mouse

How to export footage (GUI 4.0)


Using a computer

How to export footage (Internet Explorer)

How to export footage (iVMS-4200)


Changing or resetting the password

Using a TV with HDMI cable and mouse

How to change the password (GUI 4.0)

How to reset the password (GUI 4.0)


Using a computer

How to change the password (iVMS-4200)

How to reset the password (iVMS-4200) 

How to reset the password (SADP Tool)


Using a phone/tablet

How to change the password (Hik-Connect)

How to reset the password (Hik-Connect)


Other functions

Using a TV with HDMI cable and mouse

How to Create an Operator User with the permission of Local Live View and Playback on NVR GUI 4.0

How to manually add IPC to NVR

How to Turn off PoC Function

How to Control PTZ from NVR (GUI4.0)


Using a computer

How to Check Real-time Event and Search History Event

How to Configure PTZ Function

How to Manually Add IP cameras through a switch


All methods

How to Configure and Use the NVR’s VCA Search Function Via GUI, Web, and iVMS-4200


Something gone wrong?

Using a TV with HDMI cable and mouse

Hik-Connect offline

Unbinding from another account

Recorder keeps beeping

Upgrading the firmware


Using a computer

Hik-Connect is offline

Unbinding from another account

Recorder keeps beeping

Upgrading the firmware

"The stream is encrypted. Please go to the Local Configuration interface" (Internet Explorer)

"The stream is encrypted. Please go to the Local Configuration interface" (iVMS-4200)

Meaning of error codes in SADP

How to update DVR firmware


Using a phone/tablet

Unbinding from another account (Hik-Connect)

How to recover your password (Hik-Connect)

How To Add Port Forwarding Rules with Dyn Address to (Hik Connect)


Next Steps

We hope you have found this guide useful. If it has not answered your question you can see related articles on the right or raise a ticket Here

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