Amcrest NVR 4108-HS

No benefit to buying an 8 when you can have a 16 for $30 more

Max. 384 Mbps incoming/recording/outgoing bandwidth.
 
Doing a Factory reset with 8 cameras if you don't remember where the cameras are on grid and want them to stay at that location then take a Picture.. Second to your question would you have to setup the cameras again using the IP Camera tools NO.. Doing the factory reset on the NVR is just the NVR. You can choose either of the 2 software options but personally I would just go back to full factory reset.. Then spend the 2 to 3 minutes it takes to setup the NVR. To add the cameras most times one can just do it from the grid layout. Problem is always ask for the password of the cameras when I do it that way unless they are Dahua Cameras. So best to right click go to main menu, then camera and then add them in there.. I would turn off Auto to H.265 if it was enabled. I don't know what version of the FW you are on. I just remember one of them always came up with it enabled and I disable it because not all cameras like h.265.. Then once you search for your devices add them in the order you want them to appear. Once they are entered I would wait to show it is online. If it don't change the red/orange to green. put in the password.. and it should come online.. Then once all are added. Go and double check that the devices are showing right grid area for motion and make your changes to the Storage for recording types. Don't forget if you don't want to fill your HDD with loads of snapshots that loads of people don't even look at. Want to make sure to turn the full time snapshots to just motion and alarm if the HS model.. Then that is all that should have to be done..

Your Cameras you connect using ONVIF you might need to double check that the NVR took the config from the camera. For me some cameras I add form ONVIF after i reset I have to enable the grid again. But for the most part all Amcrest, Dahua and Lorex cameras should load the cameras info into the NVR so setting up is less work then if you were to reset a DVR because the DVR is where the motion and IVS for AI dvrs are stored and not the cameras..

About what NVR, IF you need more power Amcrest or Dahua 52xx series. If it is an i3 model it will be Ai, If older model cost less and motion and alarms for event types like the 41xx that you have now.. 42xx without Ai enabled in the older Ai model is 220Mbps and the newer i3 I do own both models I don't remember what the i3 is with Ai off but is 188 with it enabled as I have mine setup with Ai..

Here is an idea. If you want to find out if the locks are of Bandwidth issue. I don't think it is. Unplug any of the good cameras that don't lock out if you are able to. Remove the camera from the NVR list and see if it does the lock after the time setup for auto log out.. One of the reasons I don't think it is a Bandwidth issue is that it is the same 3 cameras and it is after some time.. If it was a bandwidth issue unless you are using VBR.. However it is time related and same cameras.. Over your limit would result in random cameras drops not the same and again I have gone over and I have yet to have any Locks show up when it is from bandwidth issue?

Here is what I do and I have a lot of NVRs and I reset them back to factory more then most.. But I setup the NVR using the GUI. Because of the On Screen keyboard that I hate I then move to the WebUI. 1 I can paste my password into the WebUI to add my cameras back faster.. Doing it from the GUI of the NVR on my 32ch NVR with 26 cameras would take about 2.5 hours to setup because not all the cameras connected to that NVR use the same password.. So I have to keep typing complex long passwords that don't always get entered correctly. So using the WebUI I just copy and paste the cameras to the spots the cameras belong and the NVR is setup in less then 30min..

At least you are not trying to setup an Alibi POE NVR to the cameras. Need a week for that and even then things are not correctly setup lol. Just kidding but it feels like it. Maybe because I am so used to things being Amcrest/Dahua type and my PTZ cameras setting up with Presets where they go not in a number of how I added them.. Geez..
 
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Amcrest makes a 16 channel version of that,(4116) which I bought used on the forum for 99bux.
it does a better job running 8 cams. and doesnt wimp out when 8 streams are recording.
the 5 series is better but i haven't been down that road with Amcrest. THE 5 series has more features is more capable, and has 320Mbps Wan port vs. your 80Mbps Wan port on the 4108. ( don't know why they did that) grrrrr

 
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41xx HS or A2 are still only 80Mbps so you will want to step up to the 42xx or 52xx ultra line of NVRs for more bandwidth.. Just saying.. If you happen to find a Cheap used 42xx-Ai line it is worth the cost of even the same price of the current 42xx E1 model. More horse power and added Dahua FW better options. Seeing at the time I got the 4216E-AI that offers 16P POE was over 549USD.. Where the E1 is almost half that.. 299 for no POE and 399 for poe again it would offer 16ch POE.. Owning E1 no POE I prefer the poe model it has better external alarm setups.. Just saying..
 
While messing about with cam settings I have done something that has changed my bandwidth from 77.25/80.00 to 78.40/88.00 mbps. ???
Also, I have no idea what it is that I have done, but now my locked cams have a message on the monitor screen that says "Over decode ability". which I am guessing is not being able to decode something? What setting, perhaps would that be, if anyone could advise please?

@Revo2Maxx Does Amcrest [or any site] have a Step by Step to return the NVR to factory setting? Including what to do to cams & settings before reset and what to do to cams after reset?
 
So I am sure there is. and there is a lot of Videos out there but I made a fast 10min video showing what I do to reset the NVR.. Now normally it wouldn't' take me 10min to get to that point in the video but having to try and do things that I would do differently for the Video it takes little longer then it would if I was just doing it for myself.. First time Reset I would guess could take 30min to do full 8ch install seeing the cameras should bring up all your motion grids and other things set up in each camera as you add them.... This video is unlisted and can be found here or shared with a link it isn't on my channel public.. Also important as I have said before in the thread here also in the video. After the NVR is setup with a good IP address and to the point where it says thanks for buying the NVR.. From there on I would log into the NVRs WebUI. There you can copy and past the password for your devices rather than trying to use the on screen keyboard.. 8ch NVR to setup all 8 Ch takes me less then 15min.. Setting up a DVR takes much longer.. Have to setup each motion or IVS for each channel where with the NVR the data is put into the NVR from each camera.. Besides the Storage info for the recorder because the storage for camera and NVR are not the same option..

I do have some other older videos where I show what I do for like my 4116E-HS when having POE ports on the NVR and how to reset and setup new adding in cameras to 16-9 and leaving 1-8 for POE cameras and things like that on my channel for someone that was setting up a new 4116E-HS some years ago.. But wasn't what you were looking to do so that is why I just made another video about Factory Reset of the NVR..

Edit: Just noticed that I typed Rest lol Meant Factory Reset lol Sorry

 
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If you have channels setup for VBR the Mbps can change over time depending on the current cameras state of motion events going on. Maybe wasn't something you did but current events going on? Over decode just means that first cameras are loading between Main and Sub in the wrong order. If you change one of them to Sub that issue will be gone with just 77 of the 88 in use.. Not the same issue with being over..
 

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Sure sounds like the NVR is straining on bandwidth. Dahua NVRs will begin to drop cams as they approach max bandwidth and that model is weak to begin with

^^^^^
Am I on Mute? Geezus this isnt hard. YES you exceeded bandwidth. The NVR starts shutting down cameras when it approaches 90% of spec bandwidth
 
If you want to run all of your cameras on that low powered NVR you'll need to reduce video quality on the cameras.
Reduce Bitrate, FPS and even resolution until they all are viewable

 
@wittaj
@bigredfish
I came on here to get help with my problem and got some very good helpful information from you both, which I am taking into consideration. Thank you.
I also got a different opinion as to what the problem may be.
Question: Do you not think I should give their information the same consideration, in light of I don't know how to solve this problem and I need as much input as possible to solve the problem?
 
You are simply kicking the can down the curb at this point.

All NVRs are not created equal and the ones with 40Mpbs and 80Mbps are showing their inadequacy as people get higher MP cameras and run higher bitrates.

Heck even with the best NVRs, some people have to run multiple NVRs because they have so many high MP cameras.

You have the classic signs of an NVR at capacity. Just like dozens of others that have come here before with the same issue.

You have already proven you are bumping up on that limit. There is ZERO headroom for the peaks, logging in to review video, etc. So it may work for awhile and then crap out.

Things like dropping to VBR is just playing with fire. As soon as motion happens and the bitrate goes up, the NVR poops out.

Your options are a better NVR or downrez/down bitrate your existing cameras to stay well below the bandwidth limitation.

But that comes at a cost as well as downrez a camera never performs as well as a camera at its native resolution.

If bitrate is too low, it can make for a soft video.

My neighbor has a Lorex NVR (made by Dahua just like Amcrest) and his will automatically just limit bitate to 4096 regardless of what you set to keep the NVR operable. But even now he has so many higher MP cams than the NVR was really made for and one of the cams keeps dropping off.

If you want to keep tinkering and try other things, go for it. Maybe you are the 1 out million where it isn't a bandwidth limitation issue.

But if you do as we suggested and downrez the cams to their lowest MP and bitrate you will see the problem goes away and if so, then you know there is nothing else to chase. Then it is just a matter of finding the right MP and bitrate combo that keeps the system stable.
 
Have you tried unplugging all cameras except the 3?

I assume
  • you have no wireless cameras
  • you are running h.264 on all cameras, NOT h.265, and no special codec. Just General Codec if a choice
  • I assume the camera aren't all trying to do SMD AND some other AI function at the same time
  • I assume your switch and power adapters are good and capable of powering all the cameras
  • Possible you are hitting a decoding limit as well as max on your incoming bandwidth
  • Assume these are 2MP and maybe 4MP cameras not 4K
  • that the cameras and NVR can talk to each other directly via the switch without going through the router
 
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@wittaj Again excellent insight and observations. I am putting the resolution to the lowest as I write this and am waiting to see if the cams get locked. 4 cams at 640 x480x(VGA), 3 cams at 1280 x 720 (720P) are the lowest resoultions. 4 cams at bit rate 96, 3 cams at bitrate 520. They showed on monitor initially, but within 10 minutes were behind the red lock again.:(

@bigredfish
Have you tried unplugging all cameras except the 3?
Do You mean just unplugging them from the switch box?
you have no wireless cameras
I have one wireless, all others[7] wired. Not sure if the wireless will show on monitor, but the NVR picks it up and has an IP address for it. It did show a red lock in the 8th position and I am guessing it was this cam. It is a Lorex W881-AA.
you are running h.264 on all cameras, NOT h.265, and no special codec. Just General Codec if a choice
running h.264 and h.264h and general codec
I assume the camera aren't all trying to do SMD AND some other AI function at the same time
not sure what that is but definitely not any AI anyway
I assume your switch and power adapters are good and capable of powering all the cameras
all cams have separate power adapters, the switch is an 8 port gigabyte switch [DLink]
Assume these are 2MP and maybe 4MP cameras not 4K
Assume these are 2MP and maybe 4MP cameras not 4K
Cams are a mix of 4 and 8 MP
that the cameras and NVR can talk to each other directly via the switch without going through the router
MY setup: NVR plugged into router, then a cable that goes to switch, then 7 cams from switch to their respective locations.
Is this wrong?
 
WOW. What is the bandwidth being used read?

But it sounds like you have other things now that are causing the problem.

Wireless cameras can always introduce lots of problems.

Best practice if you don't have the cameras connected to the POE ports on the NVR is to connect all the cameras to the POE switch and connect the router to the switch and connect the switch to the NVR WAN/LAN port.

Right now you have the cameras going thru the router (if you physically unplug the router you will lose the feed) and the routers, even 1GB routers, are just not designed for the non-buffering video that these cameras put out.

So for testing. Turn off the wireless camera.

Disconnect the router from the chain of cables and see if the problem still persists.

If it doesn't then you know it is either the wifi camera and/or the other cameras going thru the router.

It still doesn't resolve the issue of you bumping up against the limits of the NVR, but maybe you can squeeze a little more life out of it but keeping a camera or two at lower quality.
 
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^^^^
THIS

glad I asked
 
WOW. What is the bandwidth being used read?
the bandwidth on the NVR monitor reads 87.12/88.00 mbps. Is this the bandwidth you are asking about?
Wireless cameras can always introduce lots of problems.
The wireless cam [Lorex W881AA 4K Spotlight Outdoor Wi-Fi 6 Security Camera] is used to monitor my pond in winter. It was not supposed to show up on my NVR. They said it was not an IP camera. I was told that I would not be able to have it in the NVR setup, but when I do a device search it does show, so I am guessing they were incorrect? Don't know. It is in the 8th space on the NVR monitor with a red lock, so I was guessing that it would show once I added it from device search. Just didn't want to mess more up by trying to add it.
Best practice if you don't have the cameras connected to the POE ports on the NVR
I don't have the cameras connected to the POE ports on the NVR because I don't have ports on the NVR. Only one port that connects the NVR to the router.
My original cams were setup as wireless but I changed them all to hardwire because of connection issues.
Setup as it is:
NVR to Asus RT-AX88U Router.
Asus RT-AX88U Router to DLink Gigabyte 8 port switch.
7 IP hardwired cams plugged into DLink Gigabyte 8 port switch.
DLink Gigabyte 8 port switch to Asus RT-AX88U Router.
I asked @bigredfish if this was wrong in last post, he has not answered yet.
The wireless Lorex W881AA is not connected to anything as it was not supposed to be part of the system. See ^^^^^
if you physically unplug the router you will lose the feed)
I never unplug the router as it controls all my computers and other devices.
Disconnect the router from the chain of cables and see if the problem still persists.
Would the setup be NVR to the DLink Gigabyte 8 port switch ONLY? As in there would be no internet connection to my cameras? Please advise.
Turn off the wireless camera
Yes I can just unplug it.
 
It should be:

Cable from router to switch
NVR and cameras plugged into switch
This way the cameras and NVR can talk without going through the router

Right now as you have it, all camera traffic is going through your router
 
@bigredfish - if he is maxing out the bandwidth at that low resolution and bitrate he is running, do you think his cameras or NVR are hacked?