Install Reolink RLN36 NVR | Install hard disk and set up camera
Table of Content
To monitor my property, I had set up a camera surveillance system. Nine Hikvison and Trendnet cameras monitored every nook and cranny on the site. The data was stored on a QNAP NAS.
The system ran cleanly and stably – but also at the capacity limit. The amount of data from the cameras was simply too large and I had to think about how to future-proof my surveillance system.
So I decided to build a Reolink camera system and store the data on an NVR, a network video recorder. In this post I show you how I went about it. You can find the video with more details below.
Video: Install Reolink NVR | Install Hard Drive and Set Up Camera
I have documented the installation of the hard drive and the initial setup in detail in the following video.
On my Youtube channel you can find more videos on the topic. In addition to the installation and setup of the NVR and cameras, there are also comparisons of the different cameras in the playlist.
If you want to see more of me and my projects, feel free to check out my YouTube channel.
Why do I need a camera surveillance?
With increasing insecurity in my neighborhood(burglary and theft), I also had more uninvited visitors on my property. Several attempts to break in were unsuccessful, but the police investigation also came to nothing.
Besides the damage, the bad feeling often remained!
Strangers entered my property to look at the budgies in our aviary in the garden. Obviously, our private property was mistaken for a zoo.
Garbage dumping and vandalism were unfortunately also increasingly part of the sad picture of our once so quiet neighborhood.
To protect my property and of course to better prosecute these offenses, I wanted to know what was going on at the property during the day and also at night.
So I installed a camera surveillance system.
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Why I switched to Reolink cameras and NVR
For video surveillance, I had installed cameras with a resolution of 2MP of the brands Trendnet and Hikvision. The pictures and videos were automatically stored on my home server/ NAS, a QNAP 251+.
The complete camera system was based on a PoE network. PoE stands for “Power over Ethernet” – power over the network. The power supply for the cameras is provided via the Cat6 network cable and a PoE switch.
The cameras therefore only require a network cable and no additional data cable. This makes the system lean and flexible.
While the 2MP was the best you could get in my 1st installation, the capabilities of surveillance cameras continued to evolve. With the company Reolink, a player came on the market that offered great cameras with high resolution, many features and an attractive price.
The switch to a 4K surveillance system was therefore imminent.
When replacing the old Trendnet and Hikvison cameras with the 4K models from Reolink, I found that the QNAP could no longer process the high amount of data and the CPU load was constantly over 90%.
The videos were recorded, but the retrieval of certain sequences could take up to 10 minutes.
My plan to steadily expand the video surveillance system was not feasible with the NAS server.
I was therefore looking for a new and better solution for the video recordings of my surveillance cameras. My decision fell on the network video recorder (NVR) from Reolink – the RLN36.
Reolink RLN36 NVR at a glance
- The Reolink RLN36 is a video recorder that receives images and videos over the network and stores them on a hard drive.
- The model can process 36 cameras with up to 12MP simultaneously.
- Besides video, the sound can also be recorded.
- Up to 3 hard disks with a maximum of 16TB each can be installed for storage.
- A total of 48TB of video data can be stored.
- Reolink’s NVR can be connected directly to a monitor via HDMI or VGA and does not require an additional computer.
- The control is only done with a USB mouse.
- Furthermore, 8 alarm inputs and 4 alarm outputs can be connected to control external devices (e.g. siren).
- Use via browser, client or app possible
- FUNKTIONIERT NUR MIT REOLINK IP KAMERAS: Funktioniert perfekt mit allen Reolink PoE 4K/5MP/4MP Kameras und Reolink WiFi Kameras mit Gleichstromversorgung, wie RLC-510A, 520A, 811A,810A, 820A, 823A, 842A, Duo PoE, E1 Outdoor Kameras. Verwalten Sie problemlos bis zu 36 Reolink IP Kameras gleichzeitig.
- ERWEITERN SIE IHR SYSTEM MIT POE-SWITCHES: Durch den Anschluss von bis zu vier PoE-Switches an die LAN-Ports des NVR können Sie Ihr System für eine breitere Abdeckung und höhere Leistung erweitern. Durch die Aufteilung von 36 Kameras auf 4 PoE-Switches und den anschließenden Anschluss der PoE-Switches an den RLN36 für integriertes Management kann auf Ihr 4K-Überwachungssystem ohne Latenz mit oder ohne Internet zugegriffen werden.
- 3 HDD-EINSCHÜBE, BUSINESS-GRADE SPEICHER: Der RLN36 Netzwerk Videorekorder verfügt über 3 Festplatteneinschübe, von denen jeder bis zu 16TB HDD unterstützt (KEINE HDD enthalten). Bei insgesamt 48TB Speicherplatz und 36 IP-Kameras, die rund um die Uhr mit 6 Mbit/s aufzeichnen, können die Festplatten etwa 20 Tage lang genutzt werden. Eine Liste der empfohlenen Festplatten finden Sie auf der FAQ-/Videoseite für weitere Details.
- VERBESSERTES DESIGN, SCHNELLERE DATENÜBERTRAGUNG: Dieser Reolink NVR kann an Mikrofon-/Lautsprechergeräte angeschlossen werden, um mit den Personen, die Sie auf dem Monitor sehen, über Reolink Kameras mit Zwei-Wege-Gesprächsfunktion zu hören und zu sprechen. Hierzu werden RCA-Stecker-Buchsen-Wandler benötigt (nicht im Lieferumfang enthalten). Der USB 3.0-Anschluss hilft Ihnen, wichtige Aufnahmen von Ihrer HDD auf Ihre tragbare Festplatte zu sichern.
- VOLLSTÄNDIGE INTEGRATION MIT SMARTEN REOLINK KAMERAS: Der RLN36 NVR kann die Personen-/Fahrzeugerkennung und -wiedergabe von Reolink IP Kameras integrieren, um ein intelligentes System aufzubauen. Durch das Hinzufügen weiterer Reolink Kameras mit optischem Zoom, Auto-Tracking, Zwei-Wege-Gespräch und bewegungsgesteuerten Scheinwerfern können Sie selbst ein hochmodernes Überwachungssystem für Ihr Zuhause aufbauen.
Setup of the PoE camera network
The new Reolink PoE cameras are also powered via the network cable. So I didn’t have to make any structural changes during the conversion.
The old cameras were removed from the mounting plates and Reolink RLC-811A, RLC-1212A, RLC-810A and RLC-511WA cameras were installed instead. All cameras are compatible with RLN36 NVR and also my Home Assistant.
4 cameras can be directly connected to the RLN36 NVR via network cable. The NVR is connected to the home network via the 5th network port.
Unlike the RLN8 and RLN16, which have 8 and 16 video channels respectively, the RLN36 does not support PoE power. If you want to connect the cameras directly to the NVR, you need a PoE injector or a network adapter.
- Unterstützt Gigabit-Geschwindigkeit.
- Entspricht den Standards IEEE802.3af und liefert bis zu 15.4 W. Stellen Sie sicher, dass die Leistungsaufnahme des PD 15,4 W nicht überschreitet, da sonst der Überlastschutz des PoE-Injektors aktiviert wird
- Reduziert die Infrastrukturkosten durch gleichzeitige Übertragung von Daten und Strom über ein Ethernet-Kabel
- Bestimmt und liefert automatisch die genaue Leistung, um den Bedarf des Geräts zu decken
- Die Wandmontage und das Desktop-Design sind für die meisten Installationsszenarien geeignet
- Plug & Play-Installation, erfordert keine Konfiguration
- Lieferumfang: Gigabit-PoE-Injektor TL-POE150S; Netzteil; RJ45-Kabel; Installationsanleitung
ATTENTION: The RLN36 creates its own network with its own IP assignment (DHCP) if you connect the cameras directly to the device. The device can therefore be operated completely independently of other network devices, e.g. a router or switch.
However, there is no way to access the streams of the connected cameras. This is then really only possible via the NVR.
If you want to use the streams, i.e. the live images elsewhere, e.g. in a home server, you must not connect the cameras directly to the NVR.
Direct connection of the cameras is also not necessary. The Reolink NVR reliably detects all Reolink cameras that are on the same network, whether LAN or WLAN.
I have my cameras connected directly to PoE capable switches. The switches, in turn, are distributed throughout my home network. Sometimes I have also connected several switches in a row. The assignment of the IPs for the cameras is done by my router.
My setup looks like this: Camera – network cable – PoE switch – network cable – central switch – NVR
- Optimale Verbindung: Erweitern Sie Ihr Netzwerk mit einem Linksys Gigabit-Switch, um mehr Geräte zu verbinden. Nutzen Sie eine schnellere, stabile Verbindung mit Datenraten von bis zu 1000 Mbit/s
- Highspeed-Datentransfer: Reduzieren Sie Störungen sowie die Datentransferzeit und streamen Sie Dateien mit hoher Bandbreite. Führen Sie Server-Backups im Netz über eine zuverlässige Verbindung aus
- Smart Netzwerk-Switch: Die Ports mit Auto-Sensing-Funktion optimieren die Datenrate der verbundenen Geräte. Durch Bandbreitenerweiterung ist das Netzwerk weniger überlastet und effizienter
- Energieeffizient: Die Abschaltfunktion deaktiviert nicht genutzte Ports automatisch. PoE+ erfordert nur ein Kabel zur Übertragung von Daten und Strom
- Plug-and-Play: Der Unmanaged Switch erweitert Ihr Netzwerk sofort. Eine Konfiguration ist nicht erforderlich. Er lässt sich auf dem Schreibtisch oder an der Wand platzieren
How to use the Reolink RLN36 NVR
The Reolink can be operated via a connected monitor with the associated mouse. A keyboard is not necessary and cannot be connected.
In my opinion, however, it is much more effective to use the client, i.e. the program on the computer. All settings of the NVR and all Reolink cameras on the network can be conveniently made with this program.
The live view can be displayed for each camera individually or in different splits also for up to 36 cameras. The playback function for the video recordings is of course also integrated.
The app (PC Mac iOS Android) and the user manual are available for download here.
Of course, there is also a suitable app for the smartphone (Apple and Android). All settings of cameras and NVR are also possible here.
The live image and playback can also be viewed on the smartphone outside the home network – as long as you have configured your firewall accordingly.
It is also possible to make settings and view live images and recordings via the browser.
ATTENTION:
As soon as a (new) camera is to be registered on the NVR, this must always be done directly on the NVR. This requires a monitor connected directly to the RLN36. A login via client, app or the browser does not work!
Since the NVR also has a VGA output in addition to its HDMI screen, older screens/monitors can also be connected.
It is important to make sure that the screen resolution set on the NVR (not the camera resolution!!!) is also supported by the connected screen.
My initial setup was on a UHD screen via HDMI. I had therefore set the screen resolution for the user interface to the maximum.
Later, when I tried to connect an older monitor via VGA, it could not receive a signal. Neither by VGA nor by DVI (with adapter from HDMI to DVI) I could display a picture from the Reolink NVR on the monitor.
The problem was that the output resolution was too high for my screen. The solution ended up being to reconnect the NVR to the UHD screen and lower the resolution. Since then I can also use the RLN36 NVR via VGA cable on my old monitor.
Which installation location for the Reolink RLN36?
Once the Reolink NVR is installed and set up, it can also be placed in the basement, attic or other locations. Provided there is a power supply and a network connection, the system will work.
It should be noted, however, as I wrote above, that the registration of new cameras is only possible directly on the device. In case of an emergency, the NVR has to be set up and wired up again at the office desk in order to register the cameras.
The fans in the Reolink NVR are very loud. However, an exchange is possible. Suitable models from Noctua are significantly quieter without reducing the cooling performance. The low-noise adapter and a 3-2 PIN adapter (NA-AC2) are recommended for connection.
In the meantime, however, I have also received feedback that the design in the NVR has been changed. The number of fans has been reduced and the device is now much quieter.
I have my Reolink NVR installed in my server rack. There it has a direct connection to the main switch as well as a secure power supply via a UPS. On top of the cabinet, I set up an old small monitor.
This way I can work directly on the NVR if necessary.
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