My SWANN NHD-815 Experiment

[Keyboard]

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie on this site, as well as to video surveillance systems in general. Recently, I've been researching this and other sites for information on getting an IP camera with a built-in microphone connected to an existing NVR that I have.

In short, although I got it to work partially (video only), I eventually gave up. But, I wanted to pass along some of my findings that may be useful and/or save someone time and headaches.

This is a long post, so I hope you bear with me. Also, I hope I'm not rehashing something that's already been beaten to death.

First, A Little Background...
I purchased a SWANN NVR model NVR8-7200 in March 2014. It came with 4 SWANN bullet IP cameras (model NHD-820) which I mounted outside. I then purchased 4 SWANN NHD-831 dome IP cameras (model NHD-831) which I mounted inside. This completed my 8 camera system.

Current Configuration:

NVR - SWANN NVR8-7200
Cameras - NHD-820 (4 Bullets) + NHD-831 (4 Domes)
​

Now, On With My Adventure...
I was very happy with the system. Then SWANN introduced their NHD-815 bullet camera which has the added feature of a built-in microphone. I was delighted as I thought I could replace my front door NHD-820 with a NHD-815 that came with the added audio feature.

After many failed attempts at getting my NVR to recognize the camera, I learned that the NHD-815 only works with the SWANN NVRx-7300 series, not the NVRx-7200 series (bummer).

Fast Forward...
I then learned that the SWANN 7200 series is actually a rebranded HikVision (DS-7608NI-E2/8P/A), yet the 7300 series is not a rebranded HikVision. Hence, the NHD-815 was incompatible with my NVR.

I then decided to purchase a HikVision DS-7608NI-E2/8P to see if I could get the NHD-815 to work. If that worked I had planned to switch out the SWANN NVR and install the HikVision NVR for all of my cameras.

For my test HikVision NVR, I purchased and attached a variety of cameras:

DS-2CD2632F-IS,
DS-2CD213F-IS,
DS-2CD2032-I (The SWANN NHD-820 equivalent),
NHD-831 (a spare I already had), and
NHD-815 (the target camera)
(Note: I also purchased a 9-Port POE switch to test the cameras attached via my LAN).
​

The HikVision NVR found all of the cameras as Plug-n-Play, except the NHD-815.

Eventually, I was able to get video from the NHD-815 on the HikVision, but no audio. Additionally, my HikVision NVR would only accept the camera manually via the ONVIF protocol and not via the camera's protocol (rtsp:/<IP Address>:554/h264Preview_01_main). The NHD-815 protocol was obtained by using the Onvif Device Manager on my PC.

A Discovery...
The SWANN NHD-815 and ReoLink RLC-410 appear to be the same.

While playing around with different camera tools, I ran across the ReoLink Client software. Strangely, the ReoLink Client on my PC would recognize the NHD-815 when attached to my network and produced both video and audio. ReoLink did not recognize any other SWANN or HikVision cameras attached directly on my network. This led me to believe that the SWANN NHD-815 and ReoLink RLC-410 may be the same camera produced by the same manufacturer. I decided to buy a RLC-410 and try it.

The two cameras are identical physically and use the same protocol. However, the main difference is the RLC-410 allows you to login via the web and tweak it, whereas the NHD-815 does not. For some reason SWANN disabled the web interface to the NHD-815. More importantly, I can assign the RLC-410 a static address of the HikVision NIC (e.g., 192.168.254.6), but the NHD-815 is always assigned a random IP address dynamically at 192.168.1.x by the NVR. (Note: Address 192.168.1.x was never accessible via my LAN. It was only internally known by the NVR). Thus, every time the NHD-815 was disconnected (or powered off) it would get assigned a different IP address, requiring me to find its IP address using the trick I got from another forum, and then manually add the camera each time (painful).

The Bottom Line...
The RLC-410 performed the same as the NHD-815 on my HikVision NVR. In other words, I could only get video, but no audio and I could only add it manually using the ONVIF protocol. Outside the NVR I could get video and audio on both cameras.

Accepting Defeat...
My main goal was to get audio from the built in microphones of the NHD-815 and/or RLC-410. I could only get video, which gave me nothing different than my original SWANN NHD-820 cameras (other than 3MP). Actually, things were worse because:

1. No audio (as mentioned);
2. Although 30 fps was transmitted when the camera was in full screen (main stream), the NVR would only transmit 7 fps in a reduced window (sub-stream). This caused a jittery, poor quality effect;
3. There is a 2-3 second delay of the image in sub-stream;
4. The date/time stamp remains white and washed out on light backgrounds. This is unlike the HikVision black letters on light and white letters on dark backgrounds; and
5. Motion detection did not work even though the NVR allowed me to enable it. (Note: the camera is performing motion detection, but the NVR is not picking it up, thus not triggering a recording).

What's Next?...
My SWANN NVR configuration has served my needs so far, but I have lost confidence with the company. I personally feel that any IP camera from SWANN should work (Plug-n-Play) on their NVRs. Since that is not the case, then when I need to replace a camera I may be out of luck when my current SWANN cameras are no longer available. That means I would have to buy a whole new NVR and cameras. And, if I stick with SWANN I may be repeating that process over and over. (Note: I've already had one SWANN camera fail while it was still under warranty).

So, I decided to go ahead and replace my system now with all HikVision equipment. Mainly because I discovered that the HikVision NVR has many more features than the SWANN NVR, and all HikVision IP cameras appear to be plug-n-play with full functionality. A replacement camera and/or NVR shouldn't be a problem in the future (I'm hoping!).

Therefore, I am going with the following HikVision setup:

NVR: DS-7608NI-I2/8P (The newest model)
Cameras: DS-2CD2042WD-I (4 Bullets) + DS-2CD2732F-IS (4 Domes)
​

Lesson Learned...
My greatest lesson is to be careful when buying rebranded video surveillance systems. If possible, I'll go with the OEM, not the rebrand. I'll pass this lesson on to family and friends.

Fortunately, my budget allowed me to try this expensive experiment. But, I learned a lot about video surveillance systems and networking. An NVR using 3rd party IP cameras is not that simple. I expected an experience similar to buying an A/V receiver and easily use any 3rd Party devices attached to it. That, obviously, didn't happen.

I hope this was informative ... Thanks for listening (reading??)

 

[Putogn]

I agree with that using 3rd party IP cameras is not that simple on NVR, even the surveillance software.

 

[Bonifacio Buenasperas]

This was VERY informative, thank you for taking the time to post. What did you end up doing for audio? Did you add external microphones to your dome cams?

 

[Arjun]

I'm surprised Reolink makes these cameras. Their design always seemed somewhat sandwiched between Dahua and Hikvision

 

[Keyboard]

This was VERY informative, thank you for taking the time to post. What did you end up doing for audio? Did you add external microphones to your dome cams?

I gave up on audio.

I hadn't planned for separate audio runs when I originally ran my Ethernet cables. And, I wasn't willing to tear out walls again to fish audio feeds. That is why I was originally excited about a POE camera with a builtin microphone from SWANN. Unfortunately, SWANN (and RioLink) let me down. But, I learned a big lesson about avoiding re-branding companies like SWANN

I'm still hoping someone offers a miked POE camera that will work with my current HikVision NVR.

 

[Anilar]

Hi I am facing a problem to connect my reolink RLC-410 to Hikvison nvr DS-7608NI-E2/8P. Could you please help me with step by step instruction. Camera is not at all recognized by the NVR

 

[JeffNY]

Keyboard, Both my friend Dave and I have the Swann SWNVK-873008 NVR8-7300 8 Channel Network Video Recorder & 8 x NHD-815 3MP Cameras (White, With Audio). Two of his cameras failed (got wet from a hose I think). I started reading your post, the NHD-815 is supposed to be 3MP, but it looks like the RLC-410 is 4MP? Swann no longer sells the NHD-815, do you think the RLC-410's will work with his Swann 7300 DVR (with audio)?

I am just about to send my Swann SWNVK-873008 back to them to see if they can fix it. After we lost power for a few hours it failed after the power came back on, the external power supply works and the LED's on the DVR flash, but it does nothing else. Somehow I get the feeling Swann won't be able to fix it.

Anyway, good thread, thanks,
Jeff

 

[JeffNY]

In searching around some more it seems the Swann 7300 becomes a Swann 7400 if you do the last firmware update for the 7300. If I am reading this correctly this also then allows a 7300 to now also record 4MP video as well (with audio...from NHD-818, NHD-819 or RLC-410 cameras). If anyone could confirm this it'd be much appreciated.

 

[jacksgt]

In searching around some more it seems the Swann 7300 becomes a Swann 7400 if you do the last firmware update for the 7300. If I am reading this correctly this also then allows a 7300 to now also record 4MP video as well (with audio...from NHD-818, NHD-819 or RLC-410 cameras). If anyone could confirm this it'd be much appreciated.

JeffNY;
I too have the Swann 7300. As you have stated it is updated to the 7400 by firmware. One of my cameras went out and as you indicated Swann has none and won't get any more. A quick check of the Swan NVR 7300 system info shows that the hardware (HW no: H3MB02) is the same as the Reolink 410 NVR so taking a chance I ordered the RCL-410 4MP camera (now D400) from Reolink. I received it today plugged it in went to menu IP channel and after scanning; the software showed an error related to camera password. I deleted the original password (made blank) and rescanned. The picture came up great ! I was happy it worked. BTW Ebay $44.00. Hope this helps.
Jack

 

[VorlonFrog]

Reolink == garbage. Avoid at any cost.

 

[cam26]

So- my question is:

I have an old set of 815's laying around from a previously system. Has anyone successfully hooked these up to BI?

 

[GawkGawk]

So- my question is:

I have an old set of 815's laying around from a previously system. Has anyone successfully hooked these up to BI?

If you don’t update the firmware they work. Two of mine I updated with the March 2019 firmware and they no longer work with BI.

 

[JeffNY]

I've had another issue with my Swann 7300 too, when you save night time B&W video to a flashdrive the audio plays back at normal speed but the video plays back at like double speed! Daytime video is fine. Anyone know if the 7400 firmware update fixes this? I have not applied it yet....almost afraid too, don't want any more issues. Also, anyone hook up an external eSATA port? Thanks, Jeff

 

[JeffNY]

Thanks for the reply! But did you mean Version 2.2.7 (2.2.7.25)? That the version I have on my Mac.

 

[JeffNY]

Looks like twistedddx deleted his post.

 

[JeffNY]

God I hate this Swann 7300 and its software. I just lost audio from another 815 camera. I think from maybe applying a camera firmware update. Is there a way I can see what firmware version is in each camera? Are older camera firmware versions still available? I also can't get email notifications to work, never could. Although I got them working on my older Q-See system, anyone have a suggestions on getting that working? Thanks, Jeff

PS I have not applied the 7400 firmware update yet, should I? I actually had to return my 7300 a few months ago for a new power supply after we lost power and it came back on (the DVR was on a surge/UPS too). Anyway, at that point I asked them to apply the 7400 firmware update, figured they could test it too while they had it, but they said they did not want to because it might make the system then not work! A friend of mine bought the same 7300 8-camera system when I bought mine, two of his cameras went bad (for various reasons) and then he finds out they no longer sell a compatible camera! From reading above it appears the RCL-410 4MP cameras should work if you do the 7400 firmware update (and delete the password on the camera? which I can't see how to do....) but this is all so ridiculous. And on top of that night time video plays back at double speed while sound is normal! And the network time feature doesn't work either, have to manually update the the time every so often! And I can't get the email feature to work! And the Swann remote software for Mac is old and crashes left and right and has a terrible UI (the UI on the unit itself sucks too when trying to save video)! And now it seems applying firmware "updates" to cameras makes you lose audio and BI compatibility? If they only actually kept IMPROVING the software for this product it could have great probably! Instead its barely usable garbage. Are there any GOOD security camera systems out there? That actually IMPROVE with software updates??