NVS36 (overseas model RLN36) is the flagship of this range: 36 channels, up to 16MP per channel, 3 SATA drives supporting up to 48TB, 1U rack-mount design, and 8 alarm inputs and 4 outputs. It costs the same as the 16-channel NVS16-NHD, so it looks like an excellent deal. But it is also the unit in the entire lineup that requires the most “supporting equipment”—this article calculates the actual configuration in full. Prices are updated in real time.
1. First ask: do you really need 36 channels?
Let’s start with a reality check: most homes, village houses, and small shops in Hong Kong actually need 4–8 cameras. 36 channels are intended for sites on the scale of “multi-story buildings, industrial buildings, chain stores, and warehouses.”
| Scenario | Typical number of cameras | Suitable model |
|---|---|---|
| Homes, village houses | 2–6 | NVS4 / NVS8 |
| Single-story shop (400–800 sq ft) | 4–8 | NVS4 / NVS8 |
| Two-story shop, small warehouse | 8–16 | NVS8 / NVS16 |
| Industrial building, multi-story office | 16–24 | NVS16 / NVS36 |
| Chain store, large warehouse, car park | 24–36 | NVS36 |
2. The core limitation: why can’t 4 ports support 36 cameras?
This is the most important section of the entire article. The NVS36’s network interfaces are:
- 4 RJ-45 GbE ports—for connecting IP cameras (no power)
- 1 RJ-45 GbE—LAN/WAN
Pay attention to the words “no power”: these 4 ports only receive data. And “for connecting IP cameras” means that each switch must occupyoneof these ports.
So the math is simple: 4 ports × 8 cameras per switch = 32-camera limit. The specifications sheet says 36 channels, but the physical interfaces provide only 4 uplinks. This is not a defect of the NVS36, but a standard design convention for NVRs in this class—it assumes that you already have a complete switching network at the front end.
3. Three architectures, three trade-offs
Architecture A: Four 8-port switches (32 cameras, cleanest setup)
Use one uplink port on each of four RLA-PS1 units (8 ports, 120W) to connect to the NVS36’s 4 camera ports. Each supports 8 cameras, for a total of 32. This is the most standard and easiest-to-troubleshoot setup—one uplink per switch, making the fault scope immediately clear.
| Item | Quantity | Unit Price | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reolink 8-Port PoE+ Switch 120W | 4 | HK$599 | 4 × HK$599 |
| NVS36 / RLN36 | 1 | HK$1,899 | HK$1,899 |
| Surveillance-grade hard drive | 3 | Sold separately | Check by capacity |
The drawback is clear:Limited to 32 cameras. If your plans really include 33–36 camera points, this setup cannot handle them.
Setup B: 5 switches daisy-chained (36 cameras, feasible but with trade-offs)
The RLA-PS1 has 2 gigabit uplink ports—this is the key. You can use the first uplink to connect to the NVS36 and the second uplink to connect to the next switch, forming a daisy chain:
PS1-A (Uplink 2) → PS1-B (Uplink 1)
PS1-B (Uplink 2) → PS1-C (Uplink 1)…… and so on
| Configuration | Number of Cameras | Number of Switches | Total Switch Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 units (Setup A) | 32 | 4 | 4 × HK$599 |
| 5 units (Setup B) | 36 | 5 | 5 × HK$599 |
Setup C: Core Switch (the proper solution, but not available in-store)
The standard solution is to add a 24-port or 48-portnon-PoE core switch: Connect the uplinks from all 5 PS1 switches to the core switch, then connect the core switch to the NVS36 using 1–4 uplinks. This eliminates the daisy chain, so a failure in any PS1 only affects its own 8 cameras.
4. Hard Drives: Exactly How Many Days Can 48TB Record?
The NVS36 has 3 SATA bays and supports up to 48TB (16TB per drive). Use the same formula:
Retention days = Hard drive capacity (GB) ÷ Daily capacity
| Resolution | Bitrate per camera | Total bitrate for 36 cameras | Daily write volume | 48TB retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2K (4MP) H.265 | 4Mbps | 144Mbps | 1,555GB | Approx. 31 days |
| 4K (8MP) H.265 | 8Mbps | 288Mbps | 3,110GB | Approx. 15 days |
| 4K high bitrate | 12Mbps | 432Mbps | 4,666GB | Approx. 10 days |
So for all 36 channels in 4K with 30 days of retention, 48TB is not enough—approximately 93TB is required. This is the real cost of running 36 channels in 4K: it’s not the equipment that’s expensive, but the hard drives.
V. Bandwidth: Are 4 GbE connections enough?
The total main-stream bitrate of 36 4K cameras is approximately 288Mbps, or 0.29Gbps. Four GbE connections provide a combined 4Gbps, offering more than 10 times the theoretical headroom. Therefore,bandwidth is not the bottleneck.
What really requires attention is the speed of the switch’s PoE ports: the PoE ports on the RLA-PS1 are 10/100Mbps. A single 4K camera uses approximately 8Mbps, or 8%—more than sufficient. However, if a camera is a 16MP high-bitrate model (for example, above 20Mbps), it still remains within the 100 Mbps limit, but with less headroom.
VI. Power supply: Actual power consumption for 36 cameras
| Camera type | Per camera | Load per 8-port unit | Total load for 5 units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed camera 2K/4K | 6–8W | 48–64W | 240–320W | 120W/unit, ample headroom |
| With infrared + fill light | 8–12W | 64–96W | 320–480W | Near the per-unit limit |
| With PTZ | 10–14W | 80–112W | 400–560W | Near the 120W per-unit limit |
| Large PTZ | 18–20W | 144–160W over the limit | — | Cannot connect all 8 to one unit |
Conclusion:8 fixed cameras connected to one PS1 are completely safe (48–64W against 120W); 8 PTZ cameras would be close to the limit (80–112W).If your locations have multiple PTZ cameras, distribute them across different switches instead of concentrating them on a single unit.
7. Complete Configuration List (36 2K Cameras as an Example)
| Item | Quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Reolink NVS36 / RLN36 (36 channels) | 1 | HK$1,899 |
| Reolink 8-Port PoE+ Switch 120W | 5 | 5 × HK$599 |
| Surveillance-Grade Hard Drives 16TB × 3 | 3 | Sold separately; inquire based on capacity |
| Cat6 Outdoor Network Cable, Waterproof Connectors, Surge Protectors | By camera location | Sold separately |
8. Six Common Purchasing Mistakes
- Assuming 36 channels means you can directly connect 36 cameras—There are only 4 camera ports, with a maximum of 32 cameras connected directly. Cameras 33–36 must be connected via daisy chaining.
- Assuming it provides power—Zero PoE. Without a switch, not a single camera can start up. This is the biggest difference between it and the NVS16.
- Assuming hard drives are included—All 3 SATA drives must be purchased separately.
- Using standard hard drives—36 channels involve continuous high-load writing, so surveillance-grade drives are essential.
- Ignoring daisy-chain risks—A failure of the mid-chain switch in Architecture B will disconnect everything downstream. Use the 36-channel setup only if you accept this risk.
- Using 4K for every location—48TB is only enough for 15 days. A mix of resolutions is the practical approach.
9. NVS36 vs NVS16: How to Choose at the Same Price
| NVS16-NHD | NVS36 / RLN36 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | HK$1,899 | HK$1,899 |
| Channels | 16 channels | 36 channels |
| PoE ports | 16 (25W／port) | None |
| Hard drives | 2 SATA／12TB | 3 SATA／48TB |
| Form factor | Desktop | 1U rackmount |
| Need a switch? | Not required | Required |
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Can the NVS36 connect 36 cameras directly?
No. It only has 4 GbE camera ports, so the direct connection limit is 4 8-port switches ＝ 32 cameras. To connect 36 cameras, you must add a fifth switch.
Do I have to use Reolink switches?
Not necessarily. PoE follows the IEEE 802.3af/at standard, so PoE switches from any brand will work. However, the limit of 4 camera ports remains unchanged.
What hard drive capacity is needed for 36 channels?
For 2K recording retained for 30 days, approximately 47TB is required, which is close to the 48TB limit. For 4K recording retained for 30 days, approximately 93TB is required, exceeding the limit. You will therefore need to either reduce the resolution or shorten the retention period.
Can it connect to wireless cameras?
The official NVS36 specifications list support for 36 IPC connections and focus on wired IP cameras. For wireless cameras, we recommend the NVS16 (supports up to 24 Wi-Fi cameras) or the NVS12W.
What does 1U rackmount mean?
It is the standard height unit for a 19-inch rack. 1U is approximately 44.5mm. It is suitable for installation in a low-voltage enclosure or rack cabinet, but not for desktop use.
What are the 8-input/4-output alarm terminals used for?
They can connect to alarm inputs (door contacts and infrared beam sensors) and outputs (sirens and lights). They are useful for physical security in industrial buildings and warehouses.
Can I add hard drives later?
Yes. There are 3 SATA bays, and drives can be added up to the 48TB limit.
11. Further Reading
- CCTV Series Overview——A decision path starting with the number of cameras
- How to Choose Among the 13 NVRs in the Store——A complete tier-by-tier comparison
- How to Choose a PoE Switch——How to choose between 65W and 120W
- Three Formulas for Power, Bandwidth, and Hard Drives