Is My NVR or DVR Recording. How to Set Up Security Camera Recording
For a DVR or NVR to record video, a hard drive must be installed and detected by the system. When a Camius DVR or NVR is purchased with a pre installed hard drive, continuous recording in Normal mode is enabled by default. As soon as cameras are connected and the recorder is powered on, video is saved automatically without additional setup.
Motion based recording and AI event recording are optional features. To record motion events, motion detection must be enabled and a recording schedule must be applied for each channel. If motion recording is not configured, the system continues recording continuously, but motion events and alerts are not created.
If you are troubleshooting a security camera not recording, the cause is usually related to hard drive status, recording mode, or motion configuration on the DVR or NVR. This guide explains how to confirm the hard drive is detected, how to verify continuous recording is active, how to enable motion based recording, how overwrite works when storage is full, and how to fix common reasons recordings do not appear during playback.
How to Set Up DVR and NVR Recording
Camius DVR and NVR systems support continuous recording, motion based recording, and AI event recording. Continuous recording saves video at all times and is enabled by default when a hard drive is detected. Motion and AI recording create event markers and notifications and require configuration.
- Professional DVR recording systems and NVR camera bundles with high capacity surveillance local storage are designed to support continuous recording and event based recording together, reducing missed footage and eliminating the need for frequent manual reconfiguration.
How to Set the Recording Schedule
Recording schedules define when different recording types are active for each channel. Continuous recording, shown as green blocks under Record >> Schedule, is enabled by default when a hard drive is installed and detected.
To enable motion recording, select the desired channel, choose Motion recording shown as yellow blocks, then apply a schedule to define the hours when motion events are recorded. If no motion schedule is applied, the system continues to record continuously, but motion events and alerts are not generated.
Set the Record Schedule, apply, and copy to other channels if needed. Once it’s done, you will have access to the recording of the event not only on your NVR but you can also play them on your CAMIUS VIEW smartphone app.
Suppose you enable push notifications triggered by Motion, PIR, or AI (Human & Vehicle Detection) but do not have a short clip for playback. In that case, the record schedule was not set for this camera.
- Setup Motion Detection Recording
- Setup Human & Vehicle Detection Recording and notifications
Security camera not recording due to disabled schedule
A common reason a security camera not recording issue occurs is a disabled recording schedule or motion recording without an active schedule.
Audio Recording Settings
Audio recording is available on Camius PoE IP cameras and must be enabled per stream. Audio settings can be configured on the recorder interface or through the web browser menu. If audio is disabled, video recording continues normally.
You can manage Camius security camera system settings, including audio, using the web browser menu—convenient when a monitor or TV is not connected to the recorder.
To enable audio recording: Navigate to Record >> Encode >> Mainstream, then turn on the ‘Audio’ toggle. Repeat this step for each camera channel.
To enable live audio:
Navigate to Record >> Encode >> Substream, then turn on the ‘Audio’ toggle. Repeat this step for each camera channel.
To enable audio on mobile:
Navigate to Record >> Encode >> Mobile, then turn on the ‘Audio’ toggle. Repeat this step for each camera channel.
To adjust audio compression and microphone/speaker volume:
Go to Record >> Encode >> Audio. Apply settings for each camera (channel).
Note: For the best audio performance, Camius analog and PoE cameras are recommended for use with Camius recorders. Audio capabilities of non-Camius cameras may be limited by their manufacturers and may not function fully or properly when used with third-party devices.
Check the detailed guide on how to playback DVR, NVR recorded footage
Security Camera Not Recording Due to Hard Drive Errors or Missing Storage
A DVR or NVR records only when a hard drive is detected and in Normal status. If the hard drive shows an error, is unformatted, or is missing, recording stops. Formatting prepares the drive for video storage and does not occur automatically on replacement drives.
To avoid Security camera Not Recording Issue
Step 1:
On the DVR interface, move the mouse cursor to the bottom left corner and click the Main Menu button.
- If using a web browser, select Remote Setting.
- If using an HDMI monitor, select Setup in the bottom right corner.
Go to Storage >> Disk, select the hard drive checkbox, then click Format Hard Disk.
Step 2:
After clicking Format Hard Disk, a confirmation window appears. Select the option Format the entire hard drive. All data will be erased, then confirm the action.
Step 3:
Enter your Password to Authenticate the task.
What Happens When the Hard Drive Is Full
NVR camera and DVR systems with automatic overwrite continue recording by replacing the oldest footage when storage reaches capacity, which prevents recording gaps and reduces the risk of lost video.
Optimizing Storage and Extending Recording Time
Recording retention depends on resolution, frame rate, bitrate, and number of cameras. Lowering bitrate or frame rate extends storage time without disabling continuous recording. This is recommended when long retention is required.
FAQs about Security Camera Recording
Why is my DVR not recording video?
If your NVR or DVR is not recording video, or a security camera not recording issue appears during playback, the most common cause is a missing or failed hard drive. Recording requires a hard drive installed and detected in Normal status. If the hard drive is not present or shows an error, the system cannot save video.
Other common causes include recording disabled on the channel, motion recording enabled without a schedule, or motion detection turned off. Continuous recording is enabled by default only when a hard drive is installed and detected.
The same requirements apply to NVR recording. An NVR also requires a working hard drive in Normal status, and recording settings must be correctly configured for video and event recordings to be saved.
If your NVR or DVR continues to miss recordings or requires repeated reconfiguration, replacing the recorder often resolves the issue faster than ongoing troubleshooting:
Does my NVR, DVR record over old footage automatically?
Yes. Camius NVR and DVR systems overwrite the oldest recordings automatically when the hard drive becomes full, as long as overwrite is enabled in the storage settings. This ensures uninterrupted recording without manual intervention.
If overwrite is disabled, recording stops once storage reaches capacity. Enabling overwrite is recommended for continuous surveillance, especially for business and security applications.
Can I record continuously and on motion at the same time?
Yes. Continuous recording and motion recording work together on the same channel. Continuous recording saves video at all times, while motion recording creates event markers and alerts during detected activity.
This allows full timeline playback while making motion events easy to find during review. Motion recording requires motion detection and a motion schedule to be enabled.
Can I adjust the recording quality on my Camius system?
Yes. You can select Mainstream for high-quality recordings and Substream for smoother remote playback on slower connections. These settings are found under Setup → Recording → Encoding.
How does Camius protect my video streams?
Camius secures your video with AES encryption and TLS. This means the footage is encrypted before it leaves your recorder and stays protected while being transmitted to your phone, computer, or browser. Even if you are on public Wi-Fi, your live view and playback remain private and safe from unauthorized access.
Can I set my system to record only when motion is detected?
Yes. Go to Setup → Record → Record Schedule and choose Motion detection for specific hours or days. This helps save storage and extends the recording time.
What is the difference between mainstream, substream, and mobile stream?
- Mainstream is the highest quality video stream used for recording and local playback. It provides the best resolution and detail and uses the most storage.
- Substream is a lower bandwidth stream used for remote viewing on computers and networks with limited bandwidth. It improves stability without affecting recorded video quality.
- Mobile stream is optimized for smartphones and tablets using Camius View app. It uses reduced resolution and bitrate to allow smooth viewing over cellular connections while preserving storage quality on the recorder.