Who makes the Best 32 Channel NVR System?
What are the most important things to look for in a 32 channel NVR? And which company makes the best system?
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: Hikvision 32 channel NVR
Part of its 9600 Ultra series, the Hikvision DS-9632NI-ST is a right beast. Able to support 32 high definition IP cameras with 12MP live view across 10 remote viewers simultaneously. With 200 Mbps of incoming bandwidth (with RAID mode enabled), data transfer will be smooth from all your IP cameras.
While it does not come with an in-built hard drive, it has 8 SATA interfaces and 1 eSATA interface. Each of them supports a 4TB HDD giving you a total 32GB storage capacity. WIth H.265+ video compression, you will save about 50% on storage space without losing video quality. This should give you at least 10 days of cyclical recording.
To connect your cameras you will need to purchase a separate PoE switch as this NVR does not have one in-built. The camera set-up is simple – as you connect each of your compatible IP cameras to the PoE switch, the NVR will start adding them to the network. You will need to enter the password used during the NVR installation to add each camera.
Pros:
- 320Mbps incoming bandwidth
- Smooth live view
- Support for specialist cameras
- Upto 10 live remote viewers
Cons:
- No built-in hard drive
- Local storage only
- Requires a separate PoE switch.
Best Budget Option: Amcrest 4K NV5232 32 Channel NVR
Competitively priced, the Armcrest NVR works with wired or wireless Armcrest IP cameras. Unfortunately Armcrest has gone against the industry norm and decided not to opt for ONVIF compatibility. This means the NVR will not support third-party security cameras. Armcrest claims this is to avoid issues arising out of software incompatibilities. Thankfully Armcrest cameras are well built devices with great clarity and an excellent feature set. There won’t be any compromises here.
You could connect cameras with different resolutions and the system will only stream according to the resolution that it receives. 4 channels can be set to view at 4K resolution and the remaining channels will be dialled down to 1080P at 30fps.
The unit does not come with integrated PoE ports so purchase of a separate PoE switch is required. For video output you get both VGA and HDMI but only one video output can be used at a time.
Overall, this is a solid 32 Channel NVR with 4K. With a reasonable price point and an excellent range of cameras you won’t go wrong.
Pros:
- 4CH 4K playback at 30fps
- Excellent value for the price.
- 320Mbps incoming and outgoing bandwidth.
Cons:
- No integrated PoE switch.
- Not ONVIF compatible.
- Only one video output is supported.
- No RAID configuration.
Best 4K NVR – Dahua VR4432 4K 32 CH NVR
Dahua is known for developing well-built security cameras. This 32 channel NVR is no exception to their reliable manufacturing. The system is sturdy and well-built. Since NVR systems do not weather the elements and are essentially unmoved once you install them, the build quality is usually not a great issue. However we believe that if a system feels sturdy, it is a sign that the manufacturer has used good quality components inside. The Dahua NVR will last you for years without an issue.
The 4K support includes recording, live viewing and playback. Unusually, the Dahua NVR supports 4K recording across all 32 channels. Most NVR systems that record in full resolution limit it to 16 of the 32 channels and then drop down to 1080p. This is still HD but if you pay extra for 4K privilege, you expect that level of clarity on all your security cameras.
While the company claims to be ONVIF compliant, some reviewers found the system does not work with their existing security cameras. We could not find a list of compatible brands either. If you already have security cameras, reach out to Dahua to confirm if they will be compatible. If you are buying new cameras, we recommend getting Dahua cameras.
Pros:
- 4K Ultra HD support
- ANR Technology
- ONVIF compatible
- 8MP (4K) cameras across 32 CH
Cons:
- Not compatible with all ONVIF cameras.
- No integrated HDD.
What does 32 channel NVR mean?
Channels on an NVR mean the number of cameras that the NVR unit can support. So a 32 channel NVR will support 32 security cameras on the same system.
A 32 channel NVR works great for large properties with multiple blind spots. If you are installing 16 cameras we recommend getting this system instead of a 16 channel NVR. It gives you the option to add more cameras in the future. But more importantly, a 32 channel NVR usually has 16 PoE ports built-in so you don’t have to buy a separate PoE switch.
It is also suitable for a small business that has a large footprint. These cameras can be installed inside and outside the facility giving you a comprehensive view of the property. These are also great for apartment buildings where you need coverage from the basement parking right up to the top floor.
However, if you are looking for security cameras for your acreage we would strongly recommend outdoor trail cameras or outdoor cellular cameras. NVR camera systems do not have the range or the connectivity to reliably provide security for your acreage.
How to buy a 32 channel NVR system
The only difference between NVR systems with 8, 16, or 32 channels is how many cameras are supported by the base unit. There are some basic factors you should be looking for when choosing the best NVR camera system.
Compatibility: You can buy an integrated system that includes IP security cameras and the NVR unit. But if you choose to integrate two different manufacturers, make sure to check if they’re compatible. Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) is a global standardization forum. If your systems are ONVIF compatible, they will work together seamlessly.
Camera clarity: NVR camera systems range from 720P to 4K ultra-HD. 1080P HD is the standard and provides excellent clarity for most applications. If you need to use digital zoom to identify human faces or note vehicle registration plates you can opt for 4K (8MP) cameras.
Storage: If you opt for a camera with a higher clarity you will need extra storage capacity. 32 cameras recording 24/7 at 720p will use up 10TB of storage in 10 days. After the storage is full, your NVR will overwrite the earliest data to store new footage.
Compression: Most modern NVR systems have at least H.265 video compression technology built-in. This means compression of recorded video without losing any quality. This helps immensely in conserving storage space.
How does an NVR camera system work
When you need reliable coverage but do not have or need an internet connection, an NVR security camera system becomes the best choice.
Network Video Recording or NVR is a two part system – the NVR unit and the connected security cameras. When properly set-up, the system operates under a private network where all cameras feed the video to the NVR unit.
These cameras are the more advanced IP cameras that process video before transmitting it to the base unit. There is typically no cloud storage on an NVR unit unless you connect it to your router and pay a monthly fee. Normally all data is stored on the built-in hard drive. Since the high quality video takes up higher storage space, newer systems come with H.265 compression. This means nearly 50% less storage space without compromising on video quality.
Wired vs Wireless NVR camera systems
Wired NVR camera systems require a lot of planning in terms of how you will wire the ethernet cables from the NVR to the cameras. If your NVR needs to be connected to the internet, it must be close to the router to maintain a reliable connection. Wired NVR systems are Power over Ethernet (PoE) operated which means they use the same RJ45 cable for power as well as data transfer. So you do not need a separate power cable for all your security cameras.
Wireless systems operate with cameras that have a built-in WiFi card. They connect with the NVR unit through a private wireless network. The reliability of the connections will depend on a lot of factors including thickness of your walls and insulation, weather conditions, location of the cameras and more. All cameras will still need to be plugged in for power.
There are battery-powered wireless IP cameras available but monitoring and maintaining the battery levels of 32 security cameras could prove to be difficult.
Final Words
NVR camera systems – whether wired or wireless – are an excellent and smart home security option. They work with or without the internet, use the latest IP security cameras, and support up to 4K resolution. A 32 channel NVR system will be enough to cover all blindspots around your property and then some.