CCTV Manuals

Why Hikvision NVR and DVR Firmware Upgrading Failed? But I Downloaded It From the Official Website—How Do I Fix This?

I tried to upgrade the firmware on my Hikvision NVR and DVR, but it failed. An error message appears: “Upgrade failed. Firmware mismatches.” What should I do? Actually, you don’t need to update the firmware if all the DVR’s functions are still working normally. It’s very rare for a Hikvision DVR to malfunction. Generally, the most common issue with DVRs is that they fail to record. As a technician, I rarely perform firmware updates myself, unless a specific function on the DVR isn’t working or the DVR prompts me to update the firmware.

I’ve also had a firmware update fail before; in this post, I’ll explain what you can do if you encounter a failure during a Hikvision DVR firmware update.

The Dahua Pro Challenge 2026 Has Begun—Read the Terms and Conditions to Become the Champion

It’s started! Yes, Dahua is once again holding a competition called the Dahua Pro Challenge 2026. I’ve participated in this event before, but I haven’t won yet. The video I submitted didn’t get many views, so I didn’t win. The winner received the grand prize: a trip to Dahua’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China. The Dahua Pro Challenge is a program/competition created by Dahua Technology to recognize camera technicians who install Dahua products.

For those of you who would like to participate in this competition, please read the terms and conditions I’ve outlined below.

Why Are My Dahua NVR and DVR Status “Offline” Even Though My Internet Connection Is Working Fine—Here’s How I Fixed It

Why is Dahua NVR Offline But Internet Works

Dahua NVR status is offline but internet is working – I recently received a call from a fellow technician regarding a Dahua NVR that was showing an offline status despite the internet being working fine. He asked me to help resolve the issue by visiting the location in person. Upon arrival, I discovered an unexpected problem: the NVR was offline, but the internet was working fine.

This is my experience story to overcome the problem of Dahua NVR online status even though the internet at the location is working well.

PoE CCTV Camera vs. WiFi CCTV Camera—Here’s Which One Is Best, in My Opinion as a Security Camera Technician

PoE Cameras vs. Wi-Fi Cameras Comparsion

I’ve installed WiFi cameras, PoE cameras, solar-powered cameras, 4G cameras, and all kinds of other cameras. Which one is best for you? Basically, security cameras all serve the same purpose—monitoring and recording—and the only difference lies in their systems. I refer to PoE cameras as IP cameras, since PoE stands for Power Over Ethernet. Meanwhile, WiFi cameras are those whose systems connect to a WiFi network.

To help you better understand PoE cameras and WiFi cameras, in this article I’ll explain them based on my own experience.

Why Is My Hikvision Analog CCTV Camera Showing No Video on Monitor? Repair Experience & Tips

Why Hikvision analog CCTV camera showing No Video on monitor – This article describes my experience repairing a Hikvision analog camera that showed a “No Video” message on the monitor. One day, while I was enjoying a public holiday, a customer contacted me about a problem with their Hikvision camera. They wanted me to come and repair it that same day, but since it was a holiday, I politely declined. I assured them that I would visit the next day instead, and they agreed.

If you are facing the same problem, be sure to read this article to the end. In this guide, I will explain how I fixed a Hikvision analog camera that was displaying a “No Video” message.

Can I Install a CCTV Security Camera Without WiFi or a Subscription? Here’s What You Need to Know

Can security cameras work without WiFi or internet? Many prospective security camera users ask me whether they need a WiFi network and a subscription when installing security cameras. They assume that installing a camera is just like subscribing to an internet service—that there’s a monthly fee they have to pay. When I encounter customers like this, I usually explain which cameras require WiFi and which don’t, as well as which ones involve a monthly fee and which don’t.

In this article, I’ll explain what’s needed to install security cameras, as well as the different types of cameras available.

Can My Neighbor Point a CCTV Security Camera at My House?—I’m Very Upset. What Should I Do?

My Neighbor Is Pointing Their Security Camera at My House

Security camera lenses have a straight field of view and record everything in front of them. Disputes with neighbors over cameras pointed toward my property are extremely rare; in fact, some of my customers have installed cameras that are slightly angled toward their neighbors’ homes, and rather than getting angry or filing complaints, those neighbors have actually expressed their gratitude because the cameras have helped keep their front yards a little safer.

When is it illegal for a security camera installed by a neighbor to be pointed at my house? And as a neighbor, what should I do?

Motion Detection on My Security Camera Not Working—Here’s How I Fixed It in Minutes

Security Camera Motion Detection Not Working

As far as I know, there are two main types of motion sensors in security cameras. The first triggers motion detection by measuring changes in pixels and relying on motion algorithms; this is known as an optical motion sensor. Examples include the movement of people, animals, and vehicles. The second type triggers motion alerts by detecting body heat and infrared energy, known as PIR motion sensors. Examples include detecting fires and engine heat.

In this article, I’ll explain how to fix motion detection on your security camera if it’s not working.

How Do I Connect a Hikvision DVR and NVR Directly to Wi-Fi? Follow the Guide I Wrote—It’s Guaranteed to Work

How to Connect a Hikvision DVR or NVR Directly to Wi-Fi

Can Hikvision DVRs and NVRs connect directly to Wi-Fi and go online right away? Yes, of course they can—using the Wi-Fi feature. Some Hikvision NVR and DVR models have a built-in Wi-Fi module. This feature allows users to connect their NVRs and DVRs directly to a Wi-Fi network without using an Ethernet cable. Once connected to the Wi-Fi network, users can view live camera feeds from the Hik-Connect app.

A while back, I tried using this Wi-Fi feature on a Hikvision DVR. As a result, the DVR was able to connect to the internet and could be accessed remotely.

HiLook NVR, DVR, and IP Camera RTSP URL—How Do I Access Them From VLC Media Player?

I finally figured out the format of the RTSP URL for HiLook cameras. I’ll use this RTSP URL to stream live video from HiLook cameras on media players like VLC. This allows me to view the live feed without having to use an NVR or DVR. Each camera manufacturer sets its own RTSP URL, so the RTSP URLs will vary by camera brand.

In this post, I’ll provide the RTSP URLs for HiLook cameras and explain how to access them using VLC Media Player.

How Do I Set Up and Connect My Wansview Camera to WiFi & My Phone? Read This Guide—It’s Sure to Work

Wansview is a brand of Wi-Fi cameras that allow you to monitor them directly from your smartphone. Wansview cameras can also be referred to as smart cameras. These cameras connect directly to Wi-Fi and your smartphone, allowing you to view live footage, play back recordings, and use the features provided by the camera. After purchasing a camera, the first thing people look for is a guide on how to connect their Wansview camera to Wi-Fi and their smartphone.

In this article, I’ll explain how to connect a Wansview camera to Wi-Fi and your phone, step by step.