You are here: Home > Video Library > iDVR-E / iDVR-RT16 > Analog / HD CCTV Camera Hybrid Setup

Analog / HD CCTV Camera Hybrid Setup for iDVR Surveillance DVRs

The new iDVR hybrid video surveillance DVRs support analog SD and HD CCTV cameras (AHD CCTV). This video shows users how to setup the iDVR in hybrid mode so that SD and HD security cameras can be mixed (in pairs of two).




Video Playback Instructions

For the best viewing experience, start playing the video, then select the highest video quality setting by clicking on the video settings button on the bottom of the video player.

Select High Quality Video


Subscribe to our Channel

If you would like to be notified when CCTV Camera Pros creates new videos like the one on this web page, please click to subscribe to our YouTube channel.


Video Transcript

The new iDVR-E surveillance DVRs support both standard definition CCTV cameras and AHD high definition CCTV cameras. In this video I'll show you how to configure your DVR to use both security camera types.

By factory default, the new hybrid iDVRs are configured for all channels to use HD CCTV cameras. If you connect any traditional analog CCTV cameras, as I have done on channels one and two on my DVR, you will see this error message displayed, which tells you that the video input is different from the DVR settings. Also, notice that there is no video displayed on channels one and two where my SD cameras are connected. Last, you can see that all four channels are currently configured for HD cameras by the HD icon that is displayed in the upper right hand corner of each screen.

To fix this, the first thing we need to do is stop the DVR from recording by clicking on that red icon in the lower left and then entering the administrator password. Once recording has stopped we want to log into the menu system, click setup, and then system. Then on the system menu, click on the advanced tab. Here you can see this is a four-channel iDVR. Right now all four channels are set to AHD. The way the hybrid mode works is you can mix and match SD and HD cameras in pairs of two. We want to set channels one and two to should from AHD. To do this I click on AHD, then the plus button to change it to SD. Then I click on the save button. It will tell me the application's going to be restarted some of the DVR actually powers down, and it will come back up and restart in a second. When the DVR reboots it will be in hybrid mode and I can now see all four of my cameras.

For more information on the latest iDVR-E hybrid surveillance DVRs, please visit www.idvr.net. Thank you for watching.


Surveillance Equipment

Below are the products used in the making of this video.

The iDVR-E4 is the surveillance DVR that was demonstrated in this video.


Video Thumbnail

HD CCTV Camera Setup iDVR Surveillance DVR


Learn more about iDVR


iPhone / iPad Compatible
iOS Compatible CCTV DVR
Android Compatible
Android Compatible CCTV DVR
Mac Compatible
Mac Compatible CCTV DVR

AHD HDcctv DVR

Click here to learn more about the latest HD CCTV Hybrid DVRs.


Request a Demo

If you do not currently have an iDVR-PRO and would like to log in to the demo unit at our office, please request a demo login below. You will be able to login from iPhone, iPad, and Android mobile devices. You can also login from Macintosh and Windows computers. Please click here to request a demo login.

request a demo


Complete CCTV Systems

HD CCTV camera surveillance system

Did you know? CCTV Camera Pros can provide a complete surveillance system quote that includes a hybrid iDVR-E surveillance DVR, any number of cameras SD and HD CCTV cameras you need plus cables, connectors, power supplies, and monitors? As you have probably already seen on our website, we have 2, 4, 8, and 16 camera surveillance systems in pre-made packages. However, it is not possible for us to package up every combination and quantity of all the different camera models that we carry. So, we can also provide you with a custom quote with as many cameras as you need and a mix of any combination of camera model(s) based on your project requirements.

Request a Quote


Mike Haldas

Video Author & Producer

This video was created by and this page is maintained by , co-founder and managing partner of CCTV Camera Pros. If you have questions about setting up alarm inputs and outputs, please email me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net.