How to add Hikvision DVR/NR to iSpy Agent DVR – After several attempts, I finally managed to connect my Hikvision DVR/NVR to the iSpy Agent DVR. This allowed me to view a live view of the CCTV cameras connected to the Hikvision DVR/NVR on my computer. On the first try, I almost felt frustrated because the camera did not appear on the iSpy Agent DVR software screen.
In this guide, I will explain in detail how to connect a Hikvision DVR/NVR to iSpy Agent DVR based on my personal experience.
About iSpy Agent DVR Software
iSpy Agent DVR is a self-hosted video surveillance software from the iSpy platform that allows users to manage cameras locally while maintaining full control over their data and privacy.
The software supports IP cameras, USB webcams, and a variety of ONVIF-compliant security camera devices. It also includes features such as motion detection, recording automation, alert notifications, and remote access via a web browser or mobile device (for subscribed users). Its web-based interface makes it easy to manage cameras without requiring complicated installation steps.
You can download and install iSpy Agent DVR for free on Windows, Linux, and macOS via this link.
How to Connect Hikvision DVR/NVR to iSpy Agent DVR?
In this guide, I’m using Windows 11 with the iSpy Agent DVR software installed.
To connect a Hikvision NVR/DVR to the iSpy Agent DVR, the first step is to enable the ONVIF feature on the DVR/NVR. By default, Hikvision DVR/NVR have ONVIF disabled. To do this, follow the steps below.
Enabling ONVIF
Open the Hikvision DVR/NVR menu. I opened it via web view.
Then go to Configuratin > Network > Advanced Settings and open the Integration Protocol tab. Check the box next to “Enable ONVIF”, then click Save.
Klik tombol OK pada jendela “Device will reboot”.
The device will reboot—wait for it to restart.
Setup a Hikvision DVR/NVR to iSpy Agent DVR
You can open iSpy Agent DVR by clicking the desktop shortcut or accessing it through a web browser (Chrome, Firefox or Edge). To access it in a browser, enter the IP address displayed in the software’s information panel.
An example of an IP address is shown in the image below.
However, in this guide, I open iSpy Agent DVR by clicking on the shortcut on the desktop. Once the iSpy Agent DVR software opens, select the “Server Menu”.
There are many menus here. To add a DVR/NVR or a new device, select “+ New Device”.
Click the Skip button in the Select Display Slot stage.
New Device select ONVIF.
Configure, at this stage, you can choose whether to enable notifications, motion-triggered recording, resolution adjustments, or storage-saving options. In this guide, I left all of these settings disabled. Click OK to continue.
Click the gear icon.
Enter the ONVIF username and password for your Hikvision DVR/NVR. To enter the Service URL, simply click the Available (Click to Select) section, which indicates the devices detected by the iSpy Agent DVR. The Service URL will be filled in automatically. Then, click the Get Video URLs button.
The Live URL will automatically appear as an RTSP link. Scroll down and click OK to save the settings.
The window will return to the General page. Scroll down and click the OK button. Click the OK button below the menu list page.
Click the Edit View menu.
Then, enter the name and layout. For selected device, leave it as “None.” For Device, click the plus sign.
Drag and drop the camera names that appear in the Exclude to Include section. Click OK button to save.
The screen will display the name Camera 1 ONVIF. Right click on the screen and select Power to start the camera live broadcast. Below is a live camera view of the Hikvision DVR connected to the iSpy Agent DVR.
Conclusion
Setting up Hikvision DVR/NVR cameras on iSpy Agent DVR is a simple process once ONVIF is enabled. After connecting the Hikvision DVR/NVR to the network, Agent DVR can automatically detect camera channels and provide live monitoring, recording, and alerting features from a single dashboard. By following the steps in this guide, you can integrate your Hikvision surveillance system with Agent DVR.
Hopefully this guide is useful, if you have any questions please leave them in the comments column provided.