Supported Q-See Series and Examples
We recover footage from most Q-See DVR and NVR platforms. Here are common families and examples we see in our lab.
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QT Series
QT8516, QT874, QT711, hybrid DVRs for analog and HD-TVI cameras.
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QC Series
QC803, QC818, QC944, cost-effective DVRs for home and small business.
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QTH Series
QTH805, QTH916, 1080p and 4K DVRs with app integration.
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NVR Series
QN8000, QN9000, NVRs for IP camera systems in residential and commercial setups.
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Hybrid Systems
Systems supporting analog, AHD, and IP cameras with continuous recording.
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Multi-Bay Arrays
Single-drive and multi-bay models, including basic RAID for larger storage.
If your Q-See model isn’t listed, we can still help. This list is representative, not exhaustive.
What is Wrong With My Q-See Recorder?
Understand common symptoms and the safest next steps
Possible Cause: Firmware corruption, damaged disk partitions, or bad sectors.
Why It Matters: Reboots can corrupt data, risking footage loss on QT8516 series.
Do This: Power down cleanly. Do not reset or initialize the disk.
How We Help: We image drives in our ISO 5 Clean Room, repair file systems, and restore playable footage.
Possible Cause: Failing drive, bad sectors, or power issues.
Why It Matters: Errors on QC818 series can stop recording, risking footage loss.
Do This: Do not format or initialize the drive.
How We Help: We image disks and recover footage without destructive writes.
Possible Cause: Corrupted file systems, clock drift, or power loss.
Why It Matters: Gaps in QTH805 timelines may hide existing footage.
Do This: Stop recording and power off. Existing footage may be recoverable.
How We Help: We repair file systems to restore playable Q-See footage with timestamps.
Possible Cause: Corrupted export index or failing disk.
Why It Matters: Unplayable files on QT711 series indicate corruption, blocking access.
Do This: Do not reformat the drive or USB.
How We Help: We extract and repair footage, delivering playable videos.
Possible Cause: Head stiction, platter damage, or seized motor.
Why It Matters: Clicking in QN8000 series risks permanent footage loss.
Do This: Power off immediately. Avoid restarts or DIY fixes.
How We Help: ISO 5 Clean Room head swaps and imaging restore Q-See videos.
Possible Cause: Incomplete updates or corrupted partitions.
Why It Matters: Failed updates on QTH916 series can lock footage.
Do This: Stop further updates and retain any passwords.
How We Help: We repair file systems offline to restore Q-See footage.
Possible Cause: Ventilation issues or power spikes interrupting writes.
Why It Matters: Heat or outages corrupt QN9000 footage, risking loss.
Do This: Power off and stabilize the environment.
How We Help: We image drives and repair file systems to restore videos.
Possible Cause: Corrosion, warped components, or head stiction.
Why It Matters: Damage to QC803 drives can destroy footage if powered on.
Do This: Do not dry or power on; keep drive in a sealed bag.
How We Help: ISO 5 Clean Room decontamination and imaging restore footage.
Every Q-See failure is unique. We diagnose your drive, explain the issue, and provide a free quote to recover your footage.
What You Receive After Recovery
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Playable Files
Videos delivered as playable files, with proprietary Q-See formats converted when possible.
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Preserved Timestamps
Timestamps 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 Q-SEE DVR/NVR FOOTAGE RECOVERY
See how our 5-step Q-See recovery process works—what to expect and how we return your footage with preserved timestamps.
FREE DIAGNOSIS
HOW TO GET YOUR FREE Q-SEE 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 Q-See 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 verify channel mapping.
Need faster recovery? Choose Priority or Emergency to skip the queue—ideal for urgent incidents or investigations.
APPROVE WORK
APPROVE THE QUOTE & START YOUR Q-SEE RECOVERY
After diagnosis, we email a detailed report and firm quote for your Q-See case, including model notes and likely causes. 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 Q-SEE FOOTAGE RECOVERY IN OUR CLEAN ROOM
Once approved, your drive(s) are imaged using ISO 5 clean-room procedures. We repair file systems, rebuild indexes/timelines, and extract footage from Q-See containers, delivering playable files.
PAY FOR DATA
PAY AFTER WE RECOVER YOUR Q-SEE 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 TIMESTAMPS PRESERVED
Your recovered Q-See footage is delivered on a new USB or external drive as playable files, organized by camera/channel and date. Timestamps are preserved in most cases. Local pickup and shipping are available; Priority/Emergency can include secure uploads for immediate access.
Q-See FAQ
We can work with the bare drive or the entire Q-See unit. Sending the unit helps verify channel mapping, but it’s not required.
Deleted footage on loop-based Q-See systems is often overwritten quickly. We focus on recovering existing videos.
Yes, in most cases. We convert Q-See’s proprietary formats to playable files when possible.
Yes. We document handling from intake to delivery for Q-See footage, coordinating with legal teams if needed. Available upon request only.
Ready to Recover Your Q-See Footage?
Call now or start with a free diagnosis. We’ll explain the issue, plan, and 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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