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DVR/NVR Setup Guide (for use with TetherX)
DVR/NVR Setup Guide (for use with TetherX)

Using TetherX with DVR/NVR/Recorders

Roman Gaufman avatar
Written by Roman Gaufman
Updated over a week ago

Tested Vendors

You can connect to any NVR, DVR or Camera that has ONVIF or RTSP. This means you can connect your TetherBox to the vast majority of products manufactured since 2007.

Some of the vendors we have tested and worked with frequently include Axis, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, D-Link, Vivotek, Lilin, Edimax, Cisco, Sunell, AVTech, TVT, Grandstream, Canon, Hikvision, Dahua and many others.

Part 1 of 2: Configure your DVR

Many DVRs/NVRs will work out of the box with the default configurations. If for any reason your DVR/NVR is not working, please follow these instructions. The example screenshots feature a Hikvision analogue DVR, the options on your specific DVR may differ.

Step 1 of 2: Check RTSP is switched on and set to port 554 (usually under Configuration -> Network -> RTSP)

Note: There might be a separate RTSP username/password under Users on some DVRs. If there is, please make note of it.

Step 2 of 2: Camera quality is set as desired.

Note: Whatever quality you set on the DVR will be reflected on the TetherBox. If the DVR is set to 704x576, the TetherBox will record in this resolution as well.

Warning: If your DVR has H.265, you may want to switch to H.264 or H.264+ (as pictured). This is optional but ensure maximum compatibility with browsers, mobile phones, tablets and other devices.

Optional Step: Enable ONVIF (if your DVR has this option)

Part 2 of 2: Add Your DVR/NVR to the Timeline

Step 1 of 1: Add the DVR to TetherX

  • The first camera of your recorder should be visible in the camera table, if it:

    • Tap on the camera name in the Cameras Table under Admin (top right) > Cameras

    • Scroll to the bottom and press the "Convert to Multi-stream" button:

    • Enter the number of desired channels (cameras) and ensure the Vendor is correct.

    • Enter the username and password.
      ​ Note: Please make sure to use the "Check" button to ensure the password is correct before processing.

    • Press the Convert button.

  • If the first camera of your recorder is not detected, please:

    • Tap New Camera under Admin (top right), Cameras.

    • Select the DVR/NVR tab.

    • Give this DVR/NVR a name.

    • Enter the correct IP of the DVR/NVR, you can find it in the DVR/NVR's network configuration.

    • Select the correct vendor and required number of cameras.
      ​ Note: If your vendor is not on the list, try selecting "Other"

    • Enter the username and password.
      ​ Note: Please make sure to use the "Check" button to ensure the password is correct before processing.

    • Press the Add button.

Your DVR/NVR is not listed?

If DVR is not on the list, you will need to find the correct RTSP URL for your DVR. You can enter this URL under the "Custom URL" tab of the "New Camera(s)" dialogue.


​Note: You can normally find this in the DVR/NVR manual, you may need to contact the supplier or manufacturer if you cannot find it.

If you are not able to find this information, please reach out to us and we may be able to help!

  • For most DVRs/NVRs including Dahua/TVT/Genie/etc, it is:
    ​rtsp://[user]:[password]@[ip]/cam/realmonitor?channel=[physical-channel]&subtype=[stream-id]
    e.g.
    ​rtsp://admin:pass@192.108.1.108/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1

  • For Hikvision DVRs/NVRs:
    ​rtsp://[user]:[password]@[ip]/streaming/channels/[physical-channel]0[stream-id]
    e.g. for camera 3:
    ​rtsp://admin:12345@192.168.1.3/streaming/channels/301
    e.g. for camera 10:
    ​rtsp://admin:12345@192.168.1.3/streaming/channels/1001

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