How to setup Hikvision DVR/NVR and IP camera on Blue Iris – Finally, after purchasing a new PC running Windows, I was able to try out the Blue Iris software. I have successfully installed this software and it is running on my Windows 11 PC.I’ll be testing the capabilities of this software.Does Blue Iris support DVR/NVR connectivity in addition to IP cameras? In this experiment, I used a Hikvision DVR.
In this guide, I invite you to learn together to connect DVR/NVR and Hikvision IP cameras to Blue Iris software.
Why Use Blue Iris with Hikvision Devices?
Hikvision actually provides dedicated PC software for all its security camera devices. However, if you’re looking for an alternative software, Blue Iris is a great choice. Besides Blue Iris, I’ve also tried iSpy Agent DVR, and it works well for Hikvision devices. You can read my experience connecting a Hikvision IP Camera DVR/NVR to iSpy Agent DVR.
Blue Iris is one of the most popular video management software (VMS) solutions for Windows.
By connecting Hikvision devices to Blue Iris, you can:
- View multiple cameras from a single dashboard
- Record footage locally
- Create custom motion detection rules
- Access cameras remotely
- Receive alerts and notifications
- Integrate cameras from different brands
Steps to Connect Hikvision DVR/NVR and IP Camera to Blue Iris
Of course, you’ll need the Blue Iris software. If you don’t already have it, you can read my guide on how to download and install Blue Iris on PC. Please note, Blue Iris is not available for Mac operating systems.
Here are the steps to connect DVR/NVR and IP camera to Blue Iris.
Enable ONVIF
Yes, you must enable the ONVIF feature on your Hikvision device. By default, the ONVIF feature is disabled on Hikvision devices, so it must be enabled manually.
Here’s how:
Open the Hikvision DVR/NVR and IP camera settings. In this guide, I’ll open the settings by accessing the Hikvision DVR using a web browser. I find this to be the easiest method, as it doesn’t require a monitor.
Type the IP address of the Hikvision device in a web browser.
Log in using your username and password.
After that, on the dashboard page, select the Configuration > Network > Integration Protocol menu. Put a check mark on Enable ONVIF. Click the Save button to save the settings. The DVR will then reboot. Wait for it to turn back on.
Setup Hikvision DVR/NVR to Blue Iris
Make sure your DVR/NVR and IP camera are back on properly. Test the device by accessing it in a web browser. If the page opens, the device is ready to connect to Blue Iris.
Open your Blue Iris software. Click the + sign.
Network IP Camera Configuration, you can follow any rules that I do in this step.
- http://:Fill in the device IP address
- User: Fill in the ONVIF username of your device
- Password: Fill in your device password
- Make: Choose Hikvision or customize it based on the DVR/NVR and IP camera model you’re using. There are many customizable options available
- RTSP Port: 554 (Hikvision default)
- ONVIF Port: 80 (Hikvision default)
After that, click the Find/Inspect button.
A test window will appear to check whether the Hikvision DVR device is detected by Blue Iris. If the process displays an image like the one below, the Hikvision DVR and connected camera are properly detected.
To see the complete results of the Network IP Camera Configuration selection, you can see the image below. If the Path in the Stream Profile (Sub/Main) does not appear, it means the device has not been detected by Blue Iris. Click the OK button to save the settings.
In the Add New Camera window, ensure the IP address matches the connected Hikvision DVR device. Click OK to complete the process.
The image below is an example of the camera display from a Hikvision DVR that I successfully connected to the Blue Iris software.
And this is the live view after the screen size is adjusted.
So, are you interested in using this software?
Blue Iris can be downloaded from their official website. You can read how to download and install Blue Iris on Windows. In this guide, I’m using the demo version. To get the full version, you can purchase a Blue Iris license for $99.50 for up to 128 cameras (full version) or single camera $39.95 (Lite version).
With this one guide, you can use it for other devices.
Final Thoughts
If you follow this guide, connecting Hikvision DVRs, NVRs, and IP cameras to Blue Iris is a simple process. In most cases, Blue Iris can automatically detect Hikvision devices via ONVIF, making setup quick and easy. If auto-detection doesn’t work, manually configuring the RTSP stream is a reliable alternative. Follow the instructions I gave above carefully so that no mistakes occur.
Hopefully this guide is useful and if you have any questions about this guide, you can leave them in the comments column.