How to Connect IP Camera to Analog DVR (Camius XVR Camera System)

Our Camius hybrid XVR camera system supports both analog (BNC/Coaxial) security cameras and network IP cameras, so you can mix your existing analog cameras with new IP PoE cameras seamlessly. Simply connect a PoE switch or network to the DVR’s LAN port and you’re ready to begin. With the latest firmware, your recorder ships in XVR (hybrid analog + IP) mode by default—there’s no manual mode switching required. Choose from our 8-channel DVR (8 BNC + 4 IP) or 16-channel digital video recorder (16 BNC + 8 IP) to meet the needs of home users, business IT managers, or professional installers in North & South America, Europe and around the world.

Note: If you are using an older Camius DVR and see “Mode”, go to Menu → System → General → Mode and ensure XVR is selected.

What is an XVR Camera System and How It Works

An XVR (extended video recorder) is a hybrid DVR that supports both analog BNC cameras and IP network cameras. This allows you to expand an existing coaxial camera setup with newer PoE IP cameras, offering more flexibility for upgrades.

Camius hybrid DVRs operate in XVR mode by default starting with the latest firmware, so you can mix analog and IP cameras immediately — no manual mode switching is required.

Shop Camius Hybrid DVR XVR camera systems

Can an IP Camera Work with a DVR?

Yes. Traditional analog DVRs only support coaxial cameras, but Camius hybrid DVRs allow you to connect IP cameras alongside your existing BNC ones. This means you can upgrade gradually without replacing your system. Pairing Camius PoE IP cameras with a hybrid DVR ensures full access to smart AI, audio, and deterrence features.

Shop Camius Analog DVRs for BNC and IP cameras

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How to Connect IP Camera to Analog DVR – Step-by-Step

Camius hybrid DVR systems support analog and IP cameras. This guide explains how to add Camius IP cameras or ONVIF compliant third party IP cameras. Hybrid DVRs allow you to mix coaxial BNC channels with network IP channels. The number of available IP channels depends on the model and the number of analog channels currently in use.

Step 1: Connecting Your DVR, Cameras, and Network

Connect your Camius analog DVR to your router using a network cable.
Connect your IP cameras to the same router or to a PoE switch.
Confirm that the DVR and cameras are powered on.
The DVR, cameras, and router must share the same IP segment such as 192.168.254.x and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

Camius TRIVAULT4K2168R 16 Channel DVR Connection Diagram

Camius TRIVAULT4K184R, TRIVAULT4K184R2 8 Channel DVR Connection Diagram

Step 2: Start Wizard

Power on your DVR, follow the Start Wizard, and set the admin password.

The digital video recorder will auto detect available IP cameras.
Because your DVR is in XVR mode, you can add IP cameras without switching modes.
Select the camera, enter the correct username and password, then press Add.

If a camera does not appear or fails to connect in the wizard, you can add it manually using the steps below.

Setting and Resetting IP Camera Passwords on Your DVR

When you set up a brand-new DVR, it gives you the option to assign a unique password to each IP camera or match the DVR’s password. If you check “Same as Recorder’s password,” the IP camera(s) will automatically be assigned the same password as the recorder.

The same applies when you reset your DVR to default or factory settings — any connected IP cameras will be removed, and you’ll need to add them back. During that reconnection, you’ll be required to set a password for each IP camera again. You can either use the DVR’s password or assign a separate one.

Adding IP Cameras in the Start Wizard

While in the Start Wizard, go to Network → Date/Time → IP Cameras.
Click Search to find all compatible IP cameras on your local network.
Select the camera(s) you want to add and then click the arrow icon to move them into your DVR’s channel list.
Click Next to proceed.

In the “Add IP Camera” window:

Choose the Protocol (select Private for Camius cameras).
Enter the Username and Password for the camera.
Click Add.
A green status indicator means successful connection; grey indicates a password or network issue.

Once finished, your IP cameras will appear in the channel list and you can move on to configuration.

Step 3: Adding an IP Camera from the DVR’s Setup Menu (After the Wizard)

To add IP cameras manually, go to Menu, Channel, then IP Channels.

Click the Add tab or the plus icon.
The DVR displays a list of discovered IP cameras.
If the camera status shows Inactive (or None), the camera does not have a password set yet.
If you forgot your Camius IP camera password, reset the camera using the physical reset button. See the Camius IP camera password reset guide.

The Add IP Camera window will pop up showing the camera details.

In the Alias field, enter the name you want displayed for the camera, for example Front Door or Warehouse. This name appears in the Camius View app and in push alerts.
In the Protocol menu, select Private for Camius IP cameras or ONVIF for supported third party cameras.
Enter the password for the camera.
If the State shows Activated, the camera (or the NVR/DVR) already has a set password. If the State shows Inactive, the camera does not have a password yet.
Select the channel number, confirm the username and password, then click Add.
Once the camera is added, it will appear in the IP Channels list.

DVRs and NVRs on the same local network will also appear in the search list and you can select IP cameras from those devices to add them under the IP Channels list – see below the Step 5: Adding Cameras From Another DVR on the LAN

Click the + (plus) icon next to the DVR or NVR to view its available channels, then select the channels you want to add. These channels will be added to the IP Channels list the same way as standard IP cameras.

Status icons:

A green icon means the camera is connected.
A grey icon means the camera needs attention.

Connection status messages

Click the grey icon to view the message.
Common messages include:

“User name or password error”

This means the DVR password for that channel does not match the camera. Edit the channel and enter the correct login.

“Failed to connect to camera, please check the network connection”

This may be caused by incorrect IP address, subnet, port, or an ONVIF mismatch. Confirm these settings in the Edit window.

Default Password and Show Password

Click Default Password in the IP Channels screen to set the default username and password for Private, ONVIF, and RTSP protocols.
The default values are admin for both fields.
If a camera uses a different password, enter it in the camera row.
After a DVR restart, cameras that use a different password from the default may need manual entry again.

Use Show Password to display the saved password for each camera.

Auto Assign IP to Camera

If a camera is detected but fails to connect, it may be in a different network segment.
Use Auto Assign IP to Camera to match the camera IP with the DVR network.
After assigning the new IP, enter the correct username and password.

Step 4: Adding Multiple IP Cameras

You can add several IP cameras at once.

Go to Menu, Channel, IP Channels.
Click Search.
Select the cameras or click Select All.
Click Add All.
Enter the username and password shared by those cameras.

All selected cameras must use the same login. Cameras with different passwords will show a grey status icon.

Step 5: Adding Cameras From Another DVR on the LAN

Your DVR can add channels from another Camius TRIVAULT hybrid DVR or IPVAULT PoE NVR on the same network.

Go to Menu >> Channel >> IP Channels.
Click Search.

DVR devices show a + plus icon.
Click the + plus icon to view the channels on that DVR.
Select the channels or click Select All.
Click the Back arrow.
Select the DVR entry and click Add.
Enter the remote DVR username and password.

The channels from the another DVR will appear in your IP Channels list.

Step 6: Adding IP Cameras From the Internet

You can add a remote IP camera using WAN IP or DDNS.

Go to Menu >> Channel >>IP Channels.
Click Add.
Enter the WAN IP or DDNS hostname.
Enter the external port that forwards to the camera.
Select the correct protocol.
Enter the username and password.
Select the DVR channel and click Add.

A green icon confirms the remote camera is connected.

Connect IP Camera to DVR Automatically

Camius PoE cameras are automatically discovered by compatible hybrid DVRs. When detected, they’ll appear in the list with protocol “Private.” Confirm login credentials and click Apply — you’ll see video feed within seconds.

For third-party cameras using ONVIF, make sure the ONVIF profile is enabled on the camera’s interface before adding.

After setup, confirm that all analog and IP cameras appear in Live View and are recording.

Camius IP cameras provide full AI detection, audio recording, and deterrence.

ONVIF/third-party cameras may have limited features but still provide live video and recording.

If ainy camera shows as disconnected (grey status):
Check the network cable and PoE switch.
Verify power supply.
Re-enter correct password.
Confrm IP address and subnet match.

Why Choose a Camius Hybrid DVR

Camius hybrid DVRs support coaxial and IP cameras in one system, provide local storage without monthly fees, and support secure access through the Camius View app, browser, and VMS software.

4K recording with hybrid analog + IP support.
8-channel (8 BNC + 4 IP) and 16-channel (16 BNC + 8 IP) options.
Plug-and-play compatibility with all Camius PoE IP cameras.
No monthly fees, NDAA-compliant hardware, free US-based support.

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FAQs About Adding an IP Camera to Analog DVR

Can an IP camera work with DVR?

Yes. Camius hybrid DVRs support both analog BNC and IP network cameras. Older analog-only DVRs don’t, but upgrading to a Camius XVR allows mixed use instantly. See our Hybrid DVR lineup

How To Connect IP Camera to Analog DVR?

Connect your IP camera and DVR to the same local network. On the DVR, go to Menu → Channel → IP Channel → Add (+). The system will search for available IP cameras. Select the camera from the list, enter its password, assign it to a channel, and click Add. Once connected, you’ll see the video feed appear in live view.

What does enrolling a PoE camera to a DVR mean?

Enrolling means discovering and adding the camera to the DVR’s channel list so it starts recording. Browse PoE cameras

What is an XVR camera system and why choose one?

An XVR system supports both analog and IP cameras in one unit. Choosing Camius means flexibility, AI features, and effortless expansion. Explore Camius hybrid XVR camera systems.

How many IP cameras does my Camius DVR support?

Camius 8 channel hybrid DVRs support 8 analog channels and 4 IP channels in the default mode.
Camius 16 channel hybrid DVRs support 16 analog channels and 8 IP channels in the default mode.

If you disable the analog channels under Channels >>Analog, the DVR restarts and frees the reserved bandwidth.

With all analog channels disabled, the 8 channel model supports up to 12 IP cameras and the 16 channel model supports up to 24 IP cameras.

How to Connect IP Camera to Analog DVR (Camius XVR Camera System)

What is an XVR Camera System and How It Works

Can an IP Camera Work with a DVR?

Shop Camius Analog DVRs for BNC and IP cameras

How to Connect IP Camera to Analog DVR – Step-by-Step