AHD & NVR SERIES

INSTALLING OR
UPGRADING THE
DVR’S HDD

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Installing or Upgrading
the DVR’s HDD
Most DVR’s included in our kits already have a pre-installed internal HDD and is
ready to begin recording right out of the box. For instances in which you require a
larger capacity HDD or if your DVR did not include a pre-installed HDD, you can
follow along with these quick and easy steps that will demonstrate how to install /
upgrade the DVR’s HDD. The steps below are general and the images of the DVR
may not be identical to the DVR model you purchased, however the process should
be the same.

CAUTION: Never install or remove the HDD

while the DVR is powered on!

Remove the
screws from that hold
the DVR Casing:
You will need a Philips head
screwdriver for this step.

To begin you must first remove

the screws on the back and
sides of the DVR.

You will then remove the lip

that holds the DVR casing in
place after you have removed
the screws.

Your DVR/NVR will look similar

to the image on the right once
you have removed the screws
and removed the casing lip.

Installing or Upgrading the DVR’s HDD – AHD & NVR Series 2

Remove the DVR Casing:
Now you are ready to remove the DVR
casing by lifting the DVR casing up
slowly. Please keep in mind certain
models will have a plug that must be
disconnected before you remove the
casing completely. Next, disconnect
the end of the plug that connects
to the motherboard and you should
do this slowly to avoid any internal
damage to the DVR. Once the plug has
been disconnected, you will be able to
fully remove the DVR casing.

Removing the HDD

if you are upgrading to
a larger capacity HDD:
You will need a Philips head
screwdriver for this step.

If you are upgrading the pre-installed HDD to a larger capacity HDD to better fit
your security needs, you must be sure to remove the screws that are holding the
HDD in place from the bottom of the DVR. Please see image below for reference
and keep in mind the sticker on the bottom of the DVR will display the model
number of your recorder.

Next, disconnect the data and

power cables which are connected
to the pre-installed HDD.

Installing or Upgrading the DVR’s HDD – AHD & NVR Series 3

Remove the HDD from the DVR but
only once you have removed the
screws on the bottom of the DVR
which are holding the HDD in place
and have disconnected the data /
power cables from the HDD.

Installing a new HDD:

You will need a Philips head
screwdriver for this step.

Connect the data and power connector to the HDD while also aligning the HDD
with the holes on the bottom of the DVR/NVR. Next, carefully secure the HDD in
place by utilizing the HDD screws that should have been included with your new
HDD or use the screws that were removed from the pre-installed HDD.

Attaching the DVR Casing:

You can attach the DVR casing once the HDD screws have been tightened to
secure the HDD in place. To attach the DVR casing you will slide the front of the
DVR casing under the front lip of the DVR and lower the back of the casing down
into place. Then, you will re-install the screws you removed from step one to
secure the DVR casing in place.

Formatting the HDD:

Once you have installed the DVR
casing and powered the DVR; the
final step in the process is formatting
the HDD from within the DVR’s HDD
menu. First, we need to login to
access the main menu by entering
your username and password.

Installing or Upgrading the DVR’s HDD – AHD & NVR Series 4

Once you have accessed the main
menu, select the device tab located
along the top of the main menu
interface. Then, select the HDD tab
which indicates if the DVR and the
HDD are communicating properly or
if there is an HDD error.

Click the “Select” field which will

select the HDD.
Click “Format HDD” to begin
formatting the HDD to the DVR’s
specifications. Please keep in mind
that formatting the HDD will erase all
information from the HDD.

You will be prompted to enter your

username and password to allow the
formatting of the HDD. Click login
once you have entered your user
information.

A screen will appear advising that

all of the data on the HDD will be
deleted after formatting is completed.
Click “OK” to continue.

Installing or Upgrading the DVR’s HDD – AHD & NVR Series 5

A notice message will appear
which displays the progress of the
HDD format process.

The notice message will state

“Format Completed” when the HDD
has been formatted. You will click
“OK” to continue.

It is recommended to reboot your

DVR once the formatting of your
HDD has completed. To reboot your
DVR you will select the “Advanced”
menu icon which is located along
the top of your main menu bar.

Then you will click on the

“Shutdown” tab which will display
a window that will require you to
enter your user name and password
to reboot your DVR. Lastly, to reboot
your DVR you will click on the
“reboot” tab once you have entered
your username and password.

Installing or Upgrading the DVR’s HDD – AHD & NVR Series 6