3 Ways to Increase Hard Drive Capacity on a Reolink NVR (Cool Hack!)

[@DairyNZ]

I've just recently installed a reolink ten camera system, two of the cameras are duo's . I used the RLN16-410 and it takes two 6TB drives, so 12TB in total, so that's what I installed in it from day one. I get about 6 weeks + of storage before it overwrites. Very happy with it so far.

[@Mimmyz1stlovemomof2]

I’m new at this..Jw can one add an external hard drive to a Reolink NVR? I read you can with a eSATA port. But the Amazon site says the NVR does not have that port. Any ideas? I wanted to add a 20TB external hard drive

[@HomeTechDIY]

This Reolink links in this video should have all the info you need on maximum capacity.

[@5hu7o]

Awesome video! even the hack at the end

[@C4sp3r123]

Very useful, clear and detailed - thanks for uploading this - it will come in useful for me in the future as I plan to add additional storage capacity 👍

[@commexcellis3582]

awesome video. Did have a question. If I swap out the internal HDD but want to use the old one as an external does it still have to be formatted and/or does it see one as primary and other as secondary based on connection to motherbord or sata external?

[@HomeTechDIY]

Thanks! On a PC, I would go into Disk Management and check for partitions. If there are any, remove them. Then, I would format the HDD to remove any left over file tables or components used by the NVR. Hope this helps.

[@jeffsand449]

Greatful for your help. Fantastic review and steps.

[@JohnyKnox]

I added a drive and now I can not access older footage. Seems like I will need to remove the old one to get access again.

[@jasonbadler]

Great video. It was a very clean explanation. Thank you!

[@HomeTechDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Johnjohn-u8j]

great help thank you so much, you sort of make it fun at the same time lol

[@5n1ker19]

Is there enough power to supply both hdds in the last hack?

[@bg4406]

The last hack the esata cable that you used in video doesn’t look like the link you have on description??? Is it esata to esata that you used in video?

[@HomeTechDIY]

Thanks for letting me know. I have updated the description with an eSATA to eSATA cable. amzn.to/3zhaplB

[@ErossaanBooming]

nice hack at the end for adding the secondary HDD

[@larryf.7650]

I just bought a RLN12W is it possible to add a 2rd internal hard drive to it with just 1 SATA interface . I understand how to connect the power splitter to both hard drives but i don't understand how to connect the sata port from the nvr to both internal hard drives. Do i use a splitter sata connector?

[@HomeTechDIY]

I don't think it's possible to add a second drive with the RLN12W. There is no external eSATA and I think, like you mentioned, there is only one SATA interface. Your only option is to upgrade the HDD to a larger size. I think the max is 16GB. Unfortunately, SATA interfaces cannot be split.

[@MoElf]

Hi Is this nvr in video work silent without fan ? Thank you

[@HomeTechDIY]

Yes, it's silent without a fan.

[@MoElf]

@HomeTechDIY thank you for your reply What about RLN12w wifi nvr is it silent without fan?

[@malcolden7788]

The N7MB01 can now be upgraded to 8TB.

[@adamischaos6121]

It’s crazy to think how people buy the Home Hub thinking it’s cheaper than the NVR. The Hub is $100, then you gotta buy 2 512gb sd cards which cost $50 each (if you get the high endurance one like you’re supposed to). For $20 cheaper, I got the NVR on Black Friday, and it’s such a better deal tbh

[@Johnjohn-u8j]

one question lol is it ok to put the unit in the loft

[@HomeTechDIY]

Yes, as long as it isn't covered up with blankets or in a sealed cabinet. The NVR doesn't have a fan and needs to breath.

[@skullandcrossbones65]

G'dayI have noticed that my 5MP cameras use more data storage than my 8MP units. I suspect the frame rate to be the reason for more/less data.

[@HomeTechDIY]

Hi! Yes, that is correct and it could also be the bit rate and/or the resolution.

[@marcomelucci6587]

Can I connect my external hdd using micro b to usb cable rather than eSATA port?

[@HomeTechDIY]

I don't think that would work.

[@mihauu1983]

Hi, what happened when both internal and external drives will be full? Does system automatically switch to store into internal drive again?

[@HomeTechDIY]

The system will delete the oldest footage and replace it with the current. That oldest footage could be on either drive.

[@hazhang9435]

Thanks for this excellent video and it is a great help for the learners. I have a question. where can I purchase an external hard drive for a Reolink 8-410 NVR?

[@HomeTechDIY]

This is the one I have for my 8-ch NVR (N7MB01) and it supports up to 6GB: amzn.to/3JGU7UC

[@hazhang9435]

@@HomeTechDIY THANKS YOU SO MUCH SIR!! what about the eSata cable and the power cable for this hard drive, can I buy from the Amazon too?

[@HomeTechDIY]

The power cable is included with the drive, but you would need the eSata cable: amzn.to/3Ke38VD

[@hazhang9435]

@@HomeTechDIY Thanks Sir! It is greatly helpful.

[@AadilOsman-y8i]

Is it possible to replace with a SSD hard drive?

[@HomeTechDIY]

I haven't tested it myself but I don't see why not.

[@chuy0720]

The external hdd fanton in your link the price is $222 for the 2t and $302 for the 4t is there a cheaper one that you recommend for 4t I have the reolink RLN8-410 N7MB01 for 2t thanks

[@HomeTechDIY]

I am not sure what area you are in for Amazon. I shop inventory in the amazon.com and .ca regions. There aren't really many options since it's older technology. This is the 4TB Fantom with the eSata cable included and is just over 200: amzn.to/4azGxgZ I have not tested this, but maybe an eSata docking station would work. You would just need to bring your own HDD. I think you can get cheap ones, but here is one that is about $100: amzn.to/3KdIaWX

[@chuy0720]

@@HomeTechDIY I see that the page you uploaded is from Amazon Canada, I am in the United States but I put the complete information of your link in Amazon USA and it is almost the price you mentioned, thank you

[@chuy0720]

One question, the cable that you connected from the external HDD esata to the esata input of the NVR is included or is it purchased separately. I should order the one that only has a USB input but does not have an esata input and I will return it. I will order the one that has a USB input and esata input because the information says that it comes with a usb cable included, thank you

[@chadspinalbosd007]

Just bought me an 8TB for $210 with taxes using code techradar10 for 10% off

[@HEAVENLYTUNESDJANGEL]

I have an external eSATA 4tb hdd that I installed to my NVR but it only shows 1tb. Any idea why? Do I need to format to NTFS or Fat 32?

[@HomeTechDIY]

I assume your NVR is compatible with an eSata HDD and you are within the total supported capacity: support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/900004550003-How-Many-HDDs-Can-I-Connect-with-Reolink-NVR-System/ I would try to fix it in this order. 1. Format the HDD using the NVR's operating system, like I do at 3:30. 2. If that doesn't work, format the drive from a computer using FAT32 (quick method). FAT32 is used by USB flash drives in the NVR, so I am assuming it's the same for a HDD. Make sure the computer is showing 4TB free. Connect the HDD to the NVR and see if you have the numbers you are expecting. If not, try formatting it again using the NVR's operating system. 3. Same as above but try the full format. 4. Same as #2 and #3 but try NTFS. Hope this helps!

[@HEAVENLYTUNESDJANGEL]

@@HomeTechDIY Yes, nvr can do up to 8tbb on an external eSATA. I'll give this a try. Thank you

[@masonmartinez2276]

So I did that very last hack you did with the 8channel and it worked but not sure why I can see the old recording off the original hard drive. Any solution for that?

[@HomeTechDIY]

In the last hack, the original HDD is still attached. Any footage on this drive will show in combination with any footage on the new drive. To remove all the footage from the first drive, try formatting it. Let me know if that helps.

[@jeffjeffjeff2]

Hi there, how did you route your wiring out of the casing for your external drive? Did you have to cut a hole in the casing? Thanks

[@HomeTechDIY]

@@jeffjeffjeff2 I didn't complete a permanent solution, but yes, cutting the case would be an option. If you are comfortable with wiring, you might be able to remove the adapter and feed the wires through an unused hole on the back and then reconnect the adapter.

[@dontalley2182]

Unable to access you “more”, please add a space.

[@HomeTechDIY]

Sorry, but I am not sure what you are asking.

[@policedog4030]

Good video. I didn't know we could not see the security camera files on a Windows Computer when plugging in the drive containing Reolink Cam footage that came from the NVR into a desktop computer. I presume one would be able to see those files if we were running the correct flavor and version of Linux? That's a question because I know nothing about Linux.. I did order an external drive enclosure that had eSata capability and put a 4TB high duty cycle drive into it, but it would only format as a two TB drive - probably had to do with the firmware in the external drive. I cannot recall if I formatted the drive first with a computer or with the NVR as you showed - I'll have to check now. On another topic I still suspect that Reolink PoE only setups with NO Internet connection and DNS turned off can be accessed by third parties remotely. In other words there is a way to hack the system from nearby _ I think it needs line of sight and IR initially but then once they have the camera and NVR info they can just access the entire system remotely even if the user has no internet features turned on. It may be that the US requires such access for any devices sold in the US to have a back door for law enforcement

[@HomeTechDIY]

Thanks! Very true, the files could be visible if running Linux. My computer could see the drive through Computer Management, but it didn't have a drive letter. That is odd about the 4TB drive only formatting as a 2. I haven't heard of your third point before. I'll keep an ear out for more info on that one.

[@MoElf]

Hi Can I use ssd inside nvr ?

[@HomeTechDIY]

I didn't test it but, I don't see why not.

[@VastardokKukiao]

just buy the rln36 problem solved

[@HomeTechDIY]

Yes! I'd love to have the RLN36

[@hazhang9435]

👍👍👍