A Hikvision NVR kit is a network video recorder, a set of PoE cameras, a hard drive already fitted inside the recorder, and the leads to connect them, all sold as one order. Every NVR kit title on our site names those parts in the same order, so once you can read one title you can read them all.
Reading a kit title
Take this one: Hikvision 4-Channel 4K CCTV Kit, 4 Cameras + 2TB Recording (DS-7604NXI Recorder).
| Part of the title | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| 4-Channel | How many cameras the recorder can take in total. Our PoE kits use 4-, 8- and 16-channel recorders. |
| 4K | The camera resolution. The 4K kits use an 8MP camera; some kits are named by megapixels instead, such as 4MP or 8MP. |
| 4 Cameras | How many cameras are in the box. This can be fewer than the channels. |
| 2TB Recording | The size of the hard drive fitted in the recorder. |
| DS-7604NXI Recorder | The recorder model. The number before the P near the end of the full model number matches the channel count. |
What is in the box
- The NVR. Each recorder is a Hikvision AcuSense NVR with PoE ports (the 4- and 8-channel kits use a 1U K Series case), so it powers the cameras itself.
- The cameras. Hikvision PoE network cameras, or UKVISION PoE cameras in some kits. The camera model is given in each product description.
- The hard drive. Pre-installed, so the recorder is ready to record once it is set up.
- One network cable per camera. A 20m Cat6 patch cable for each camera.
- An HDMI cable. A 1.5m lead to connect the recorder to a monitor or TV.
A monitor or TV is not included. A PoE kit also has no separate power lead at each camera, because the network cable carries power and picture. If you are weighing this against a coax set, our guide to PoE or coax Hikvision kits compares the cabling.
Channels, cameras and spare ports
The channel count is the recorder's size, not the number of cameras you receive. An 8-channel kit with 6 cameras, such as the 8-Channel 4K kit with 6 cameras and 2TB, leaves two channels free for later. The 8-Channel 4K kit with 8 cameras and 4TB uses every channel. The 16-Channel 4K kit with 8 cameras and 4TB leaves eight channels spare on a bigger recorder. Our guide to how many cameras a Hikvision kit needs helps you count the spots to cover.
Camera choice inside an NVR kit
The 4K 4-, 8- and 16-channel kits above use the DS-2CD1383G2-LIUF/SL 8MP turret camera, described as a Smart Hybrid Light model. Some pair the same recorder with a different camera, for example the 4-Channel 4MP kit with four DS-2CD2347G2-LSU/SL cameras, described as 4MP ColorVu strobe light turret cameras in black. The kit title shows the resolution and the product description names the exact camera.
Before you order
- Count the camera positions and pick a kit with at least that many cameras, or a recorder with free channels.
- Measure each cable run against the 20m leads in the box.
- Check the title for the drive size you want. Ask us before ordering if you need a different size.
- Have a monitor or TV with an HDMI input ready.
You can browse every recorder-and-camera set in IP (PoE) kits, or start from the 4 camera kits. Ask us if you are unsure which one matches your property.