This article lists all the NVRs/recorders in the store at a glance, organized by channel count and intended use, and highlights the three things shoppers most often get wrong: which models have no PoE ports, which models do not include a hard drive, and which models require a switch. Prices are retrieved from product data in real time.
1. Complete list of 13 models
| Model | Channels | PoE ports | Hard drive | Maximum input | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EZVIZ X5S 8路 | 8-channel wireless | None | 1 SATA, sold separately | 3K | HK$499 |
| NVS4-NHD | 4 channels | 4 × 25W | 1 SATA 6TB, sold separately | 4K output | HK$830 |
| NVS4E-NHD | 4 channels | 4 × 25W | 1 SATA 8TB, sold separately | 16MP | HK$1,099 |
| NVS8-NHD | 8 channels | 8 × 25W | 1 SATA＋eSATA 12TB, sold separately | 12MP | HK$1,178 |
| NVS8-NHD 2TB | 8 channels | 8 × 25W | Built-in 2TB, up to 12TB | 12MP | HK$2,599 |
| NVS16-NHD | 16 channels | 16 × 25W | 2 SATA, 12TB sold separately | 12MP | HK$1,899 |
| NVS36 / RLN36 | 36 channels | None (4 × GbE) | 3 SATA, 48TB sold separately | 16MP/channel | HK$1,899 |
| NVS12W | 12-channel Wi-Fi 6 | None | Built-in 2TB, up to 16TB | — | HK$2,599 |
| NVS16 4TB | 16 channels (up to 24 IP) | 16 × 25W | Built-in 4TB, up to 16TB | — | HK$3,599 |
| NVS8-5MB4 KIT | 8 channels | 8 × 25W | Built-in 2TB＋4 5MP bullet cameras | — | HK$3,899 |
| NVS8-5MD4 KIT | 8 channels | 8 × 25W | Built-in 2TB＋4 5MP dome cameras | — | HK$3,899 |
| NVS8-8MB4 KIT | 8 channels | 8 × 25W | Built-in 2TB＋4 8MP bullet cameras | 16MP | HK$4,599 |
| NVS8-8MD4 KIT | 8 channels | 8 × 25W | Built-in 2TB＋4 8MP dome cameras | — | HK$4,599 |
The column worth looking at first in this table is “PoE Ports”:Three models have no PoE at all(X5S, NVS36, NVS12W). The other ten models come with built-in PoE, supplying power and transmitting data over a single network cable.
II. Tier 1: Up to 4 Cameras, NVS4-NHD Is the Most Rational Choice
NVS4-NHD is the entry-level model in the range and meets the practical needs of most Hong Kong homes and small shops: 4 PoE ports, 25W per port, 1 SATA bay supporting up to 6TB, 4K HDMI output, and H.265.
Its value is not in the specifications, but in “solving two problems at once”: it supplies power to the cameras and records footage to its hard drive, so each camera location only needs one network cable during installation—there is no need to find a power outlet. For locations such as village houses, rooftops, and exterior walls where there is “a network cable point but no power socket,” this is the cleanest solution.
| Scenario | 4 2K Cameras | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2TB Hard Drive | Approx. 11 Days | Enough for short-term review |
| 4TB Hard Drive | Approx. 23 Days | Recommended for general shops |
| 6TB Hard Drive | Approx. 34 Days | Maximum supported capacity |
III. Tier 2: 8 Cameras, the Three Versions of NVS8
NVS8 is the most flexible model in this range: 8 PoE ports, support for up to 12MP cameras, 1 SATA ＋ 1 eSATA, and support for up to 12TB. There are three versions available in the store, and many people do not realize that they are actually the same recorder:
| Version | Difference | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| NVS8-NHD (Bare Unit) | No hard drive included, up to 12TB | Those who already have a hard drive or want to choose a large-capacity drive themselves |
| NVS8-NHD with Built-in 2TB | Pre-installed 2TB surveillance hard drive, ready to record out of the box | Those who do not want to research hard drive models |
| NVS8-5MB4／5MD4 KIT | Built-in 2TB ＋ 4 × 5MP cameras ＋ 4 × 18M PoE cables | For a brand-new installation and those who want to buy everything at once |
| NVS8-8MB4／8MD4 KIT | Built-in 2TB ＋ 4 × 8MP (4K) cameras | For those who need 4K and want to identify faces and license plates |
eSATA is the most practical advantage of NVS8 over NVS4.It allows you to connect an additional hard drive externally without opening the chassis to replace the drive, and without having to purchase the maximum capacity at once. Storing 30 days of footage from 8 2K cameras requires approximately 10.4TB, which fits within the 12TB limit.
IV. Tier 3: 16 Channels or More—Ask One Question First
Once you reach the scale of 16 cameras, the cost of choosing the wrong model starts to increase. Before placing an order, answer one question first:Do you need 16 PoE ports, or 36 channels without PoE?
| Model | Channels | PoE | Hard Drive | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVS16-NHD | 16 channels | 16 × 25W | 2 SATA, 12TB purchased separately | All 16 wired, with just one network cable needed |
| NVS16 4TB | 16 channels (up to 24 IP) | 16 × 25W | Built-in 4TB, up to 16TB | Buy it all at once, including the hard drive |
| NVS36 / RLN36 | 36 channels | No PoE | 3 SATA, 48TB purchased separately | Large premises, with an existing PoE switch |
Conversely, if you already have a PoE switch (or plan to install more than 20 cameras at once), the NVS36 is the only choice: 36 channels, up to 16MP per channel, 3 SATA drives supporting up to 48TB, 1U rackmount, and 8 alarm inputs/4 outputs. Its price (the same as the NVS16-NHD) is actually quite good value, provided you already have power-supplying equipment.
5. Wireless options: NVS12W and X5S
If you do not want to run network cables, the store has two wireless NVRs, but neither of themhas PoE ports, so they can only connect to Wi-Fi or battery-powered cameras.
| Model | Channels | Hard drive | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| EZVIZ X5S | 8 channels | 1 SATA purchased separately | EZVIZ proprietary ecosystem, HDMI＋VGA, ONVIF V2.5／HIKVISION |
| Reolink NVS12W | 12 channels (up to 16) | Built-in 2TB, up to 16TB | Wi-Fi 6 dual-band, 4K HDMI, 4-channel simultaneous playback |
The price of the NVS12W includes a 2TB hard drive, making the actual cost of the main unit lower—if your situation is “the property is already finished and you do not want to drill holes or run cables,” this model is more convenient than buying the bare unit and adding a hard drive separately. However, it is clearly marked “Without PoE Ports” in the official specifications, so PoE equipment requires a separate switch.
6. KIT bundles: when are they worth buying?
All four KITs include “8-channel NVR ＋ 2TB ＋ 4 cameras ＋ 18 m PoE cables ×4.” They differ in camera form factor and resolution:
| KIT | Cameras | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| NVS8-5MB4 | 4 × 5MP bullet cameras (2K+) | Exterior walls, parking spaces, and back alleys—the bullet camera has strong directional coverage |
| NVS8-5MD4 | 4 × 5MP dome cameras | Indoor corridors and elevator lobbies — domes feel less imposing |
| NVS8-8MB4 | 4 × 8MP (4K) bullet cameras | For identifying faces and license plates |
| NVS8-8MD4 | 4 × 8MP (4K) dome cameras | For indoor use when you need 4K |
The value of a KIT is not just that it lets you “buy everything at once,” but also thatthe cables are already included: 18 m PoE cables ×4, plus 8 PoE ports, giving you a complete solution right out of the box. For first-time installers, this saves a lot of back-and-forth compared with selecting each component individually.
VII. Five of the easiest ways to buy the wrong product
- Assuming all NVRs have PoE ports—X5S, NVS36, and NVS12W do not. If you buy one of these without a switch, the cameras will not start up.
- Assuming a hard drive is always included—NVS4-NHD, NVS4E-NHD, NVS8-NHD (bare unit), NVS16-NHD, and NVS36do not include one. The versions with hard drives are NVS8 with a built-in 2TB drive, NVS12W, NVS16 with 4TB, and the four KITs.
- Using a regular hard drive—Recording involves continuous 24/7 writing, so you need a surveillance-grade drive. Retired laptop hard drives are especially not recommended.
- Looking only at the “maximum incoming resolution”—NVS4E is rated for 16MP and NVS8 for 12MP, but whether they can actually record in 4K also depends on the total bandwidth and hard drive speed. Use your “actual camera resolution” as the 기준.
- Buying an NVS36 without a switch—36 channels but zero PoE; this is the most expensive misunderstanding.
VIII. Three-step decision guide
Step 1: Count the number of cameras.Up to 4 → NVS4; 5–8 → NVS8; 9–16 → NVS16; 17 or more → NVS36.
Step 2: Ask whether network cables need to be run.Can run cables → PoE model; cannot run cables → wireless (but you will need a switch or must use Wi-Fi cameras directly).
Step 3: Consider the hard drive.Want the easiest option → buy a version with a hard drive included (NVS8 2TB／NVS16 4TB／KIT); want to choose the capacity yourself → buy the bare unit.
IX. Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest combination that can record video?
NVS4-NHD (HK$830) + a 2TB surveillance hard drive (approximately HK$500), for about HK$1,330 total, can connect 4 PoE cameras. If you only need 1–2 cameras, using microSD cards directly is cheaper.
What is the difference between NVS4 and NVS4E?
NVS4 supports hard drives up to 6TB and 4K output; NVS4E supports incoming resolutions up to 16MP, hard drives up to 8TB, and also offers Heatmap, data encryption, and H.265+. The price difference is about HK$269, mainly paying for support for higher resolutions and larger hard drives.
NVS16-NHD and NVS36 cost the same. Which one should I choose?
It depends on whether you have a PoE switch. No → NVS16 (with 16 built-in PoE ports); Yes → NVS36 (36 channels, 48TB, 1U rack-mount design).
Can I use cameras from different brands together?
Technically, yes (ONVIF／RTSP), but PTZ control and AI detection will mostly not work. Using the same brand is recommended.
Does an NVR need to be connected to a monitor?
Not necessarily. You can view footage through the mobile app or browser. However, HDMI／VGA is useful for displaying a multi-camera view continuously in a store.
What happens when the hard drive is full?
The oldest footage is overwritten in a loop. Therefore, “capacity ÷ daily data written” is the actual number of days you can look back.
Can I back up footage to another location?
Some models support FTP／cloud uploads; refer to the specifications for the specific model. If you need off-site backups, we recommend confirming your model with us first.
X. Further reading
- When should you upgrade from a microSD card to an NVR——Cost Break-Even Point and Silent Failure Risks
- PoE Power and NVR: How to Choose——Three Formulas for Power Budget, Bandwidth, and Hard Drives
- EZVIZ H8C ＋ Reolink Switch Hands-On Test——The Division of Responsibilities Between the Switch and NVR
- WiFi Cam or PoE Cam——Comparison of Four Power Supply Methods