Dahua DHI-NVR4104HS-4P-4KS2 4 Channel Compact 1U 4PoE 4K H265 Lite Network Video Recorder

Model: DHI-NVR4104HS-4P-4KS2

Who This Is For

Property managers specifying a compact, cabled IP camera system for small commercial tenancies, childcare centres, or residential complexes will find the Dahua DHI-NVR4104HS-4P-4KS2 a straightforward fit. The 4 built-in PoE ports mean cameras connect directly to the NVR over Cat5e or Cat6 - no separate PoE switch, no second power run. The 1U form factor at 260 mm x 232.5 mm keeps it easy to locate inside a server room, comms rack, or lockable cabinet without consuming a full rack unit. Support for up to 8MP (4K) recording and Smart H.265+ compression means footage quality is high while storage demands on the single internal HDD bay stay manageable. The DMSS mobile app adds remote access across Android and iOS without needing dedicated software. For site sizes that need 4 cameras with clean cabling and AI-assisted alerts passed from capable cameras, this NVR covers the brief without overcomplicating it.

What This NVR Actually Does

Who Buys This Model

• Small Business Owners: Retail shops, cafes, and service businesses running 2 to 4 cameras who want all cabling to terminate at a single NVR with no external switch required.
• Residential Installers: Integrators setting up IP camera systems at homes or townhouse complexes where a compact 1U unit fits inside an existing data cabinet or metre box enclosure.
• Childcare and Aged Care Facilities: Operators who need SMD Plus human classification and people counting from AI-capable cameras to manage entry zones and occupancy visibility from a central monitoring point.
• Property Managers and Strata Committees: Sites specifying a low-maintenance, remotely accessible system via the DMSS app where on-site IT infrastructure is minimal or absent.

Honest Assessment

The DHI-NVR4104HS-4P-4KS2 handles its target application well: a clean, self-contained 4-camera IP system with PoE switching built in, 4K recording headroom, and smart compression that makes the single HDD bay practical for weeks of retention at busy sites. The AI alarm features work when paired with compatible Dahua cameras and add genuine search value - finding events by human or vehicle classification is faster than scrubbing raw footage. The 4K HDMI output and DMSS remote access cover both on-site monitoring and off-site checking without extra hardware. Where this unit reaches its limits: the single HDD bay means storage cannot be expanded internally, and the 4-channel ceiling is fixed - sites that expect to add a 5th camera will need a different model from the outset. The 100 Mbps uplink port is adequate for local PoE operation but limits throughput on high-bitrate 4K streams if remote viewing is heavy. Available through Security Australia, this NVR suits sites where the footprint, channel count, and cabling simplicity are already the right match.

Before You Buy

Key Features & Technical Specifications

Real-World Scenarios

How It Compares

• Choose this if: You are deploying exactly 4 PoE IP cameras and want all switching, recording, and AI alert management in a single compact 1U unit without purchasing an external PoE switch.
• You may need a different model if: Your site requires 5 or more cameras now or in the near future - a higher-channel NVR (8 or 16 channel) will serve better and avoid a full system replacement as the installation grows.
• Pairs well with: Dahua AI-capable turret or bullet cameras that support SMD Plus and perimeter protection, allowing the NVR's intelligent alarm and search features to work as specified.

Common Questions

1. Does this NVR include a hard drive?

   No. The DHI-NVR4104HS-4P-4KS2 ships without an HDD. The single SATA III bay accepts up to a 10TB drive. You will need to purchase and install a surveillance-grade hard drive separately before the unit can begin recording. For 4 cameras running at 4MP with Smart H.265+ compression, a 4TB drive typically provides around 30 days of continuous recording - though this varies with scene activity, frame rate, and bitrate settings.

2. Will this NVR work with non-Dahua cameras?

   Yes, with limitations. The NVR supports ONVIF (profile T/S/G), which allows connection of cameras from Axis, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Canon, Pelco, and other brands. However, AI features including SMD Plus, perimeter protection, people counting, and heat map only function when paired with compatible Dahua AI cameras - these features are processed at the camera and require the NVR to receive the structured metadata that non-Dahua cameras typically do not generate in the same format.

3. Does this NVR support 4K cameras on all 4 channels simultaneously?

   Yes. The NVR accepts up to 8MP (4K) resolution on each of its 4 channels, with 80 Mbps incoming bandwidth supporting all 4 cameras streaming at full resolution concurrently. Decoding for live display is specified at 8 channels at 1080p (30 fps), so while all 4 channels record at 4K, live display of all channels at 4K simultaneously may involve resolution scaling depending on the output configuration and monitor layout selected.

4. What is the maximum PoE power available per camera port?

   25.5W per port (IEEE 802.3at), with 48W shared across all 4 ports combined. This means you cannot run 4 cameras at maximum draw simultaneously if each exceeds 12W. Standard fixed IP cameras typically draw 6W to 12W, which fits comfortably within the total budget. Check each camera's PoE consumption before finalising the camera selection - this information is part of the guidance provided by Security Australia when specifying a complete system.

5. Can I view footage remotely on a phone?

   Yes. The NVR supports remote access via the DMSS app on both Android and iOS. DMSS provides live viewing, event notifications, and video playback. P2P connectivity is supported, which simplifies remote setup without requiring manual port forwarding on most standard routers. The NVR's uplink port runs at 100 Mbps, which is sufficient for typical remote viewing but may become a constraint if multiple users are simultaneously streaming high-bitrate 4K channels remotely.

6. Does the NVR record during a network outage if the internet goes down?

   Yes. Local recording to the internal HDD continues regardless of internet connectivity - the PoE cameras communicate directly with the NVR over the local PoE network, which is independent of the internet uplink. Additionally, if ANR-capable Dahua cameras are used with SD cards installed, any footage recorded locally on the camera during a network disruption between the camera and NVR is automatically transferred back to the NVR once connectivity is restored.

Downloads & Resources

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