A while back, I brought a HiLook DVR home from work with a damaged LAN port. Because the LAN port was damaged, I couldn’t connect the DVR to the internet or to my phone via the HiLookVision app. Since the LAN port was damaged, I wondered if I could connect the DVR to the internet using one of its USB ports. HiLook DVRs typically come equipped with two USB ports.
This post contains my personal documentation of my attempt to use the USB port on the DVR to connect to the internet from the router using a USB to Ethernet adapter.
What Is a USB to Ethernet Adapter?
USB to Ethernet adapters are generally used with computers and laptops.
This device functions to convert a computer’s USB port into a LAN port. As a result, the computer can connect to the internet using the USB port. It also serves as a solution if the computer’s LAN port is damaged.
Here is an example of a USB to Ethernet adapter.
My Experiment Using a USB to Ethernet Adapter on a DVR and NVR
At base camp, I have a USB to Ethernet adapter, so I don’t need to buy one. I’d previously used this USB to Ethernet adapter with my PC because the LAN port was faulty, and it worked perfectly.
First of all, I connect the USB end of the USB to Ethernet adapter to the USB port on the DVR.
I then connected the RJ45 port to the router using a LAN cable.
Once everything was connected, the green light on the USB to Ethernet adapter was on. The indicator light on the router was also flashing. I configured the network settings on the DVR. I set the network system to DHCP so that the DVR would automatically connect to the router. However, after several attempts, the DVR’s status remained ‘offline’. I also tried resetting the DVR to its factory settings, but the result was the same: the DVR was still showing as ‘offline’.
As a result, the USB to Ethernet adapter cannot be used with the DVR as a replacement for the DVR’s faulty LAN port.
Why USB to Ethernet Adapters Can’t Be Used with NVRs and DVRs?
USB to Ethernet adapters require drivers to work.
All CCTV cameras currently on the market run on firmware. The way firmware works is that users can only use it as is; they cannot add other programs to it, as we can do on PCs and laptops. Therefore, we cannot install drivers on NVRs and DVRs to make a USB to Ethernet adapter work.
So, this is why NVRs and DVRs cannot use a USB to Ethernet adapter.
Some DVR models, such as the Hikvision HVR 4.0, include Wi-Fi functionality. This Wi-Fi feature can be used by connecting a wireless adapter to the DVR’s USB port. The Wi-Fi functionality on this Hikvision DVR works because the firmware includes the necessary support for this feature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Apa Itu USB to Etehernet Adapter?
A device that allows the USB port on a laptop or PC to be used as an internet connection.
Can a USB to Ethernet Adapter Be Used with an NVR?
The answer is no.
Why Can’t a USB to Ethernet Adapter Be Used with NVRs and DVRs?
NVRs and DVRs operate using firmware. Meanwhile, a USB to Ethernet adapter requires a driver to function. You cannot install drivers on NVRs and DVRs.
Final Thoughts
So it’s clear that a USB-to-Ethernet adapter cannot be used with DVRs and NVRs as a replacement for a damaged LAN port. If the LAN port on your DVR or NVR is damaged, the only solution is to take it to a repair center for service. However, in most cases I’ve handled, the fastest solution is to replace the NVR or DVR with a new one. This is because the cost of repairs is usually almost the same as buying a new unit.
I hope this guide is helpful. If anything is unclear, feel free to leave a question in the comments section below.