How to Recover Data From a Hikvision DVR
Tags: beginners, linux, tutorial, testing
Published: 2021-07-02 07:02:09

From this article, you will learn how to recover data from DVR and NVR video recorders. We will explore the peculiarities of how they store video files, why such files can be lost, and how they can be recovered. In the process, we’ll be using a IP network video recorder Hikvision DS-7104NI-Q1/4P.

![How to Recover Data From a Hikvision DVR](https://hetmanrecovery.com/pic/blog/a247/how-to-recover-data-from-a-dvr.png)

Video surveillance systems are becoming the standard option for stores and offices, for monitoring the situation around your house, apartment, or in the street. Not so long ago, surveillance systems tended to be based on personal computers, but these days, the most widespread option is autonomous NVR and DVR devices which no longer need a PC nearby.

An accidental failure or a commonplace scenario with deleting a video file accidentally may have disastrous consequences if the file in question was very important. Recorders keep their videos in a special format so extracting the data is not so easy as it seems. You will need specialized software provided by the device manufacturer, and if the file is deleted – a special program capable of finding the lost data and displaying it. Let’s start by analyzing the reasons causing data loss for video recorders, and then find out how to recover data from the hard disk.

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##What Causes DVR Data Loss
Today’s market offers a wide range of devices with lots of various functions. They can save recorded vide files to the single hard disk, or several disks – both individual drives or drives combined into a unified logical space. Various recorders can use unique algorithms to compress video streams, and premium models offer password protection and even encryption for all video files. With all of these options, if the internal hard disk ever fails or there is an unexpected system error, the task of recovering data into a regular video format seems quite a challenge.

**Most of the time, video files are lost as a result of:**

* Recorder hardware issues;
* Software errors;
* Removing the files accidentally by the user, or because of creating a faulty video recording;
* Formatting the internal memory;
* Physical damage or file system errors.

When the hard disk breaks down, there is no way to recover the lost data on your own, and you’ll have to find a data recovery specialist to deal with the problem.

###If The Recorder Breaks Down
If the video recorder is out of order, there is nothing to be recovered because all the data is still there, on the hard disk inside the device. However, if you connect the disk to the computer, don’t expect to see anything; what is more, the Disk Management will suggest initializing it. For cases like this, what you need is a special software tool provided by the recorder manufacturer which can help you see the video files. But what if you don’t have such software? Try finding another video recorder of the same model – or use a data recovery tool.

###Recorder Specifications
This recorder, Hikvision DS-7104NI-Q1/4P, supports third-party cameras and lets you connect as many as four IP cameras. An effective video compression system helps the device to use less space for storing videos.

![Recorder Specifications](https://hetmanrecovery.com/pic/blog/a247/hikvision.png)

In the back panel, there are two video output channels – HDMI and VGA, a 100 Mbit Ethernet port, two USB ports, and 4 independent Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports, and of course, a power connector.

![the back panel](https://hetmanrecovery.com/pic/blog/a247/hikvision-02.png)

Inside, there is a slot for one hard disk and a connector supporting disks up to 6 TB.

![Inside](https://hetmanrecovery.com/pic/blog/a247/hikvision-03.png)

##Backup Settings
If you need to recover an old video, you should remember that any video recorder has to work with a limited memory capacity, regardless of the model. Depending on the quality of the picture and the number of cameras, it can record video files for a certain period of time, and then it will overwrite older data with new files. If a new record cycle has already begun, it’s unlikely that older videos can be recovered.

In general, before doing anything to the information which you think is important – formatting, deleting, partitioning and so on – always remember to back up your stuff. Most recorder models let you configure the backup process.

![Backup Settings](https://hetmanrecovery.com/pic/blog/a247/hikvision-04.png)

In this menu, you can schedule backups, specify what cameras should be connected, select the video format and change other settings.

![you can schedule backups](https://hetmanrecovery.com/pic/blog/a247/hikvision-05.png)

In case you forgot to back up important files, you can still find a solution and use a special data recovery tool, [Hetman Partition Recovery](https://hetmanrecovery.com/hard-drive-data-recovery-software).

##Recovering Erased Video Files
Start by taking the recorder apart, disconnecting the hard disk, and connecting it to a Windows computer.

Many video recorders have file systems which are not typically used with computer operating systems. That is why you can’t download or save any data from the disk you have connected to the computer. To have the video files recovered you will need either specialized equipment or dedicated software provided by the vendor of your surveillance system. This way or another, it suggests more expenses, and sometimes it just means there is no way to recover anything on your own.

At the same time, most video recorders use compatible files systems – and this is also the case with the device we are testing. Therefore, the process of saving information is very simple – just connect the hard disk to the computer and save the data.

Take out the screws and open the cover.

![Take out the screws and open the cover](https://hetmanrecovery.com/pic/blog/a247/hikvision-06.png)

Take out the hard disk, disconnect it from the recorder, and connect the disk to the computer.

![Take out the hard disk](https://hetmanrecovery.com/pic/blog/a247/hikvision-07.png)

When connected, the disk is not displayed in the Windows Explorer, and the operating system suggests to initialize it – but it’s not necessary now, so just hit Cancel.

![the disk is not displayed](https://hetmanrecovery.com/pic/blog/a247/device-manager.png)

As we know, initialization will erase all the data which is still on the disk, and any recovery operations you conduct later can hardly be successful.