This article explains how to connect compatible ONVIF-conformant IP cameras to an X Series NVR using the ONVIF protocol.

Some compatible ONVIF-conformant IP cameras must be initialized before they can be added to an X Series NVR. This process includes connecting the camera to your local network, finding the camera’s IP address, accessing the camera’s web interface, and creating an admin password. After the camera is initialized, it can be connected to the X Series NVR.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Before You Begin
• Connect the Camera to a Switch
• Find the Camera IP Address
• Initialize the Camera
• Connect the Camera to the NVR
• Check the Camera Status on the NVR
• If the Camera Password Does Not Match
• Confirm the Camera Connection

Before You Begin

Before connecting the camera, confirm the following:

• The camera is listed in the ONVIF Conformant Products database and supports ONVIF with the correct firmware.
• The X Series NVR is powered on and connected to a monitor.
• A USB mouse is connected to the NVR.
• An available PoE port is open on the back of the NVR.
• A computer is connected to the same local network as the camera during setup.
  

You will also need one of the following setup options:

• Option A: A PoE switch.
• Option B: A non-PoE switch and a dedicated camera power adapter.

Connect the Camera to a Switch

Before connecting the camera to the NVR, connect it to your local network so it can be initialized.

If using a PoE switch:

1. Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the camera.
2. Connect the other end to an open port on the PoE switch.
3. Wait a couple minutes for the camera to power on.

The PoE switch provides both power and network connectivity through a single Ethernet cable.

If using a non-PoE switch:

1. Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the camera.
2. Connect the other end to an open port on the switch.
3. Connect the camera’s power adapter to the camera.
4. Plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet.
5. Wait a couple minutes for the camera to power on.

Find the Camera IP Address

After the camera is connected to the switch, use an IP scanner tool to find the camera’s IP address.

To find the camera IP address:

1. Make sure your computer is connected to the same local network as the camera.
2. Open your preferred IP scanner tool.
3. Scan the local network.
4. Locate the camera’s MAC address on the physical label of the camera.
5. Match the camera’s MAC address to the device listed in the IP scanner results.
6. Write down the IP address assigned to the camera.

Initialize the Camera

Once you have the camera’s IP address, access the camera’s web interface to complete initialization.

To initialize the camera:

1. Open a web browser on the computer connected to the same network as the camera.
2. Enter the camera’s IP address into the browser address bar.
3. Follow the on-screen setup wizard.

   

4. Create a secure admin password when prompted.

   

   

5. Complete the camera initialization process.

Connect the Camera to the NVR

After the camera has been initialized, disconnect it from the temporary switch and connect it directly to the X Series NVR.

To connect the camera to the NVR:

1. Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the temporary PoE or non-PoE switch.
2. If a separate power adapter was used, disconnect the power adapter from the camera.
3. Connect the camera’s Ethernet cable directly to an open PoE port on the back of the X Series NVR.
4. Wait for the camera to power on and initialize on the recorder.

The X Series NVR will begin detecting the camera on the connected PoE port.

Check the Camera Status on the NVR

After the camera is connected to the NVR, check the camera status from the Channel menu.

To check the camera status:

1. Right-click twice to open the Main Menu, then go to Settings > Channel > Camera.

   

2. Locate the newly connected camera by matching the channel number to the PoE port used on the back of the NVR.
   • For example, if the ONVIF camera is connected to PoE port 1, the camera will be listed on channel 1.
3. Check the camera status.

Scenario A: Camera and NVR passwords match

If the password created for the camera matches the NVR admin password, the NVR will automatically authenticate the camera.

After a few moments, the camera status should change to online and live video should appear on the display.

Scenario B: Camera and NVR passwords do not match

If the password created for the camera does not match the NVR admin password, the camera may show an authentication error or fail to connect automatically.

If this happens, manually enter the camera password in the NVR camera settings.

If the Camera Password Does Not Match

If the camera does not connect automatically, update the camera password field on the NVR to match the password created during camera initialization.

To update the camera password on the NVR:

1. Right-click twice to open the Main Menu, then go to Settings > Channel > Camera.

   

2. Click the Modify button under Operate for that channel.
3. In the password field, enter the admin password created during the camera initialization process.

   

4. Click OK to save the settings.
5. Wait for the NVR to reconnect to the camera.
6. Check the camera status again.

Confirm the Camera Connection

After the password is saved, confirm that the camera has connected successfully.

Confirm the following:

• The camera status changes to online.
• The camera appears in Live View.
• Playback is available for recorded video.
• Motion detection is available, if supported by the camera and recorder configuration.
• The camera is listed on the correct channel based on the PoE port used.