My camera is hooked up to my nvr through my router as it won't connect directly to the nvr being a non
amcrest brand camera even if I force it into the right ip range and ports.
OK, so an NVR is in play. Presumably the required files can't be downloaded from the NVR itself.
or to make any changes to the camera by typing in its ip using the hikvision software on the camera.
In the camera web GUI - I don't recall if the playback/download facilities work with video recorded to the SD card. But presumably you've already tried that.
On the 'direct access to the SD card via the camera' method:
In the camera web GUI, check first if the specific version of firmware running on it still allows the use of SSH or telnet.
You will find this, if available, usually under Advanced Configuration | Security | Security service though this varies with the firmware version.
If you do not have this, there is not an easy way to bulk extract the files remotely.