How to Add NAS Storage to Your Uniview NVR
A NAS (Network Attached Storage) lets your Uniview NVR store recordings and snapshots over your network — it works like an extra hard drive. This guide covers setup on a local network (LAN) and over the internet (WAN).
- Your NAS must support the NFS or SMB/CIFS protocol and the ext4 file system.
- The shared folder must be fully accessible to the NAS.
- Only certain NVR models support NAS. Up to 8 NAS disks per NVR.
- NAS storage uses the NVR's forwarding bandwidth — a gigabit LAN is recommended.
Two Ways to Use a NAS
Acts like a local hard disk with continuous storage. RAID and SMART test not supported.
Plays on: the NVR's normal Playback page.
Acts like a USB flash drive. Manual backup only.
Plays on: the NVR's External File playback page.
Tested NAS Models
Setup on a Local Network (LAN — NFS)
Create a shared folder on the NAS
Log in to your NAS's web interface and create a shared folder for recordings (NETGEAR ReadyNAS shown).
Enable NFS and allow Read/Write
Turn on the NFS protocol for the folder and give it Read/Write permission.
Add the NAS on your NVR
On the NVR's local or web interface, go to Storage > Hard Disk and click Add.
Fill in the settings:
- Usage: Recording/Snapshot, or Backup
- Protocol: NFS (use SMB/CIFS for WAN — see below)
- Server Address: your NAS's IP address
- Directory: the shared folder path you created
Format the NAS disk
The new disk isn't usable until formatted. Click Format, and the NAS is ready to store recordings and snapshots.
Play back recordings
Play recordings from the NVR's Playback page. Files stored on the NAS are in a proprietary format and can't be opened directly from the NAS's own interface.
Setup Over the Internet (WAN — SMB/CIFS)
Follow the same steps as LAN, with three differences:
Select the SMB/CIFS protocol (your NAS must support it).
The server address can be a domain name (set a DNS server on the NVR's network page) or a public IP. Map port 445 using UPnP on the NVR's Port Mapping page, or manually on your router.
Enter the NAS username and password.
Format the disk and it's ready to use.
FAQ
Can the NAS record all my channels, main stream and sub stream?
Yes. When used for Recording/Snapshot, the NAS works like a local disk — configure streams on the NVR's encoding page. A 32-channel NVR can store all 32 channels, but for reliability keep 16 channels or fewer per NAS; performance depends on network conditions and the NAS itself.
Do I still need a recording schedule?
Yes. Storage and playback work exactly the same as with a local hard disk.
How does Backup mode work?
Select recordings or snapshots to back up and they save to the NAS folder. Play them from the External File playback page on the NVR (recordings stored in Recording/Snapshot mode won't appear there).
My NVR failed — can I recover the recordings?
Yes. In Backup mode, download the files and play them. In Recording/Snapshot mode, add the NAS to another NVR without formatting it and the recordings remain accessible.
Can I keep two copies — one on the NVR, one on the NAS?
Yes. Set the NAS usage to Recording/Snapshot and its property to Redundant. Keep in mind: max ~16 channels per NAS, some NAS models allow only one directory (one NVR per NAS), and both devices should be on a gigabit network.
What's the maximum NAS capacity?
No hard limit — capacities up to 32 TB have been tested.
Why won't my Redundant recordings play?
Recordings on a disk set to Redundant can't be played directly. Change the NAS property to Read/Write or Read Only, then play them from the NVR's Playback page.