Supported Hikvision Series and Examples
We work with most Hikvision DVR and NVR platforms. Here are common families and examples we see in our lab.
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Turbo HD DVR Series
DS-7200 family, DS-7300, DS-7332, DS-7204HUHI, DS-7216HUHI, and related analog HD variants.
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I Series NVR
DS-7600, DS-7700, DS-7800, DS-9600 families, Pro and Value lines used in small and enterprise deployments.
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K and E Series
Cost effective models used in retail and SMB, often paired with mixed camera generations.
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Embedded Net DVR
Legacy embedded DVRs with proprietary recording databases and export utilities.
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Hybrid and Tribrid
Systems that mix analog and IP channels with motion and continuous schedules.
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Drive Bays and Arrays
Single drive, dual bay, and multi bay models, including units with simple RAID or spanning.
If your exact model is not listed, we can still help. List above is representative, not exhaustive.
What is Wrong With My Hikvision Recorder?
Understand common symptoms and the safest next steps
Possible cause: Recorder firmware corruption, damaged boot partitions on the disk, bad sectors, or an incomplete shutdown.
Why it matters: Reboots can rewrite metadata and increase timeline loss.
Do this: Power down cleanly. Do not factory reset, do not initialize the disk.
How we help: Clean room imaging, file system and firmware repair, index rebuild to restore playback and time stamps.
Possible cause: Failing drive, controller faults, power or cabling issues, or corrupted array metadata.
Why it matters: Internal rebuilds or formats can destroy remaining footage.
Do this: Do not format, do not initialize, do not start a rebuild inside the recorder.
How we help: We image each disk, reconstruct arrays when present, and recover recordings without destructive writes.
Possible cause: Corrupted index databases, clock drift, power loss during writes, or loop overwrite.
Why it matters: Gaps can exist even when raw video is still present.
Do this: Stop recording and power off. We do not attempt recovery of deleted clips due to rapid overwrite.
How we help: We parse H.264 and H.265 variants and rebuild indexes to return playable clips with preserved time stamps.
Possible cause: Corrupted export index, failing internal disk, or vendor locked files such as .dav requiring specific players.
Why it matters: Stalled exports and zero byte files do not resolve the underlying corruption.
Do this: Do not reformat the internal disk or the USB drive to force exports.
How we help: We extract from a disk image, repair segments, and convert or rewrap to standard playable files.
Possible cause: Head stiction, platter damage, failing bearings, or a seized motor.
Why it matters: Continued spinning can score platters and destroy data.
Do this: Power off immediately. Avoid freezer and repeated restart tricks.
How we help: ISO 5 clean room head work and motor repair, followed by gentle hardware imaging to preserve video.
Possible cause: Incomplete updates, lost channel mapping, activation of encryption that now blocks exports.
Why it matters: Live view may work while recordings fail or ask for passwords.
Do this: Stop further updates and keep any passwords or verification codes available.
How we help: Offline database repair, lawful access guidance for vendor locked formats when keys are available.
Possible cause: Fan or ventilation issues, unstable power, or voltage spikes that interrupt writes.
Why it matters: Heat and brownouts accelerate disk failure and corrupt indexes.
Do this: Power the unit off and stabilize the environment before reuse.
How we help: External imaging and index repair to restore playable clips and time stamps.
Possible cause: Corrosion, soot contamination, warped components, bent trays, or head stiction from shock.
Why it matters: Drying can leave residue that scratches platters, powering on often makes damage permanent.
Do this: Do not dry or power on. Keep the drive clean, place it in a sealed bag, and ship promptly.
How we help: Decontamination and imaging in ISO 5, followed by database rebuild to restore clips and time stamps.
Every case is different. We will diagnose the issue, explain the cause, and provide a firm quote before work begins.
What You Receive After Recovery
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Playable Files
Clips delivered as standard playable files. Vendor locked formats such as .dav are converted or rewrapped when possible.
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Preserved Time Stamps
Time stamps preserved where available, with optional summary of recovered time ranges.
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Organized by Camera
Folders by channel and date to simplify review for investigations and audits.
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Chain of Custody
Documented handling from intake to delivery for sensitive and legal matters. Available upon request only.
5 STEPS TO FULL HIKVISION DVR/NVR FOOTAGE RECOVERY
See how our 5-step Hikvision recovery process works—what to expect, how we handle .dav / H.264 / H.265, and how we return your footage with preserved time stamps.
FREE DIAGNOSIS
HOW TO GET YOUR FREE HIKVISION DIAGNOSIS
Call us for a price estimate, ticket number, and an appointment for your no-obligation diagnosis. Choose Standard Service (7–14 days) to assess your Hikvision DVR/NVR and get a firm quote before recovery begins. You may send the whole recorder or just the drive(s); sending the unit can help us verify channel mapping and exports.
Need faster recovery? Choose Priority or Emergency to skip the queue—ideal for urgent incidents, legal requests, or time-sensitive investigations.
APPROVE WORK
APPROVE THE QUOTE & START YOUR HIKVISION RECOVERY
After diagnosis, we email a detailed report and firm quote for your Hikvision case, including model/series notes, likely causes, and expected time ranges we can target. Approve via our online form to enter the recovery queue immediately. Priority/Emergency approvals start lab work right away.
Quote too high? Decline with no obligation (Standard Service only).
RECOVERY STARTS
WE BEGIN HIKVISION FOOTAGE RECOVERY IN OUR CLEAN ROOM
Once approved, your drive(s) are imaged using ISO 5 clean-room procedures. We repair recording databases, rebuild indexes/timelines, and extract footage from Hikvision containers (including .dav) and streams (H.264/H.265). We do not attempt recovery of deleted clips due to rapid overwrite behavior on loop systems.
PAY FOR DATA
PAY AFTER WE RECOVER YOUR HIKVISION FOOTAGE
If recovery is successful, we’ll email a secure payment link for credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Prefer check, money order, cashier’s check, or bank wire? Just let us know—those options are available too.
If recovery isn’t possible, a return shipping fee may apply if your recorder or drive(s) aren’t at a local office.
GET FOOTAGE BACK
FOOTAGE RETURNED WITH TIME STAMPS PRESERVED
Your recovered Hikvision footage is delivered on a new USB or external drive as standard playable files (we convert or rewrap .dav when possible), organized by camera/channel and date. Original time stamps are preserved in most cases. Local pickup and shipping are available; Priority/Emergency can include secure uploads for immediate access.
Hikvision FAQ
We can work with the bare drive or the entire unit. Sending the unit helps us verify channel mapping and export behavior, but is not required.
Deleted footage on loop based systems is usually overwritten quickly. We focus on recovering recorded data that still exists on the media from damaged, non working devices.
Yes in most cases. We convert or rewrap .dav and other vendor locked formats to standard playable files when possible and provide player guidance when needed.
Yes. We document handling from intake through delivery and can coordinate with legal teams when necessary. This is done upon request and not for every case.
Ready to recover your Hikvision footage?
Call now or start with a free diagnosis. We will explain the cause, the plan, and the expected turnaround.
Find a File Savers Location Near You
With over 175 locations across the U.S., dropping off your failed hard drive in person is the fastest and most secure way to start your recovery. Click below to find the nearest File Savers location and get your data back fast.
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