Product SKU: DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2
Product Overview
Built for small commercial and residential IP camera installations, the DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2 is a compact 1U desktop NVR that brings together 8 integrated PoE ports, WizSense AI analytics, and 12MP recording in a chassis small enough to sit on a shelf or inside a compact cabinet. Featuring on-board face detection and recognition, perimeter protection, and 4-channel SMD Plus, it delivers meaningful AI capability without requiring an external switch or a full rack-mount enclosure. Equipped with a 4K HDMI output and support for up to 10TB of local HDD storage, this recorder is well suited to installers fitting out small offices, retail stores, or residential properties with up to 8 Dahua IP cameras. It also integrates AI-by-camera functionality, extending face detection, SMD Plus, and perimeter protection across compatible connected cameras. This makes it a practical hub for straightforward 8-channel systems where PoE simplicity, on-board intelligence, and a compact footprint all matter.
Key Capabilities
8 Built-In PoE Ports
Each of the 8 PoE ports delivers up to 25.5W at 53V, allowing Dahua IP cameras to be powered and connected over a single Cat5e/Cat6 cable run – removing the need for a separate PoE switch in most installations.
WizSense AI Analytics On-Board
The NVR natively runs 1-channel face detection and recognition, 1-channel perimeter protection, and 4-channel SMD Plus without relying on the connected cameras to carry the processing load – useful where a mix of AI and non-AI cameras is deployed.
Face Recognition with Attribute Detection
Supports up to 10 face databases with 5,000 stored face images, and detects 6 face attributes including gender, age group, glasses, expressions, mouth mask, and beard – enabling watchlist-based alerts and post-event search across stored footage.
Up to 12MP Recording Resolution
Records video at resolutions up to 12MP across all 8 channels, accommodating high-resolution Dahua IP cameras where fine spatial detail is needed – such as entry points, counters, or car parks where licence plates or faces need to be resolved clearly.
4K HDMI and VGA Outputs
Dual display outputs let installers connect a 4K HDMI monitor for the primary view and a VGA screen for a secondary display simultaneously – practical in retail or office environments where a back-of-house monitor and a front-desk screen are both needed.
Compact Desktop Form Factor
At 260 x 232.7 x 47.6mm and 0.92kg, the DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2 fits easily into a small back-room shelf, a locking cabinet, or a reception desk cupboard – no rack enclosure required, which keeps installation costs low on small-site jobs.
Best For
- Small Commercial Fit-Outs: The 8 integrated PoE ports and 144Mbps incoming bandwidth handle a full complement of high-resolution Dahua IP cameras in retail stores, small offices, and medical suites without requiring a separate network switch.
- Installations Requiring Face Recognition: The on-board face database supporting up to 5,000 face images and 10 watchlists suits environments such as access lobbies, reception areas, or small multi-tenancy buildings where identity-based alerts are required.
- Residential Properties with Premium IP Cameras: Homeowners upgrading to Dahua WizSense cameras benefit from the NVR’s AI-by-camera support, which extends SMD Plus and perimeter protection to each compatible connected camera without additional hardware.
- Tight Installation Spaces: The compact 1U desktop chassis and low weight make this recorder practical for wall-shelf mounting or cabinet placement in sites where a standard 1.5U or tower NVR would not fit.
Why Choose the DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2
The DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2 separates itself from basic 8-channel PoE recorders by running genuine WizSense AI natively – face recognition with attribute detection, perimeter protection, and SMD Plus – on an industrial-grade embedded processor running Embedded Linux. A lower-cost recorder in this channel count typically offers motion-based alerts only; this unit adds structured watchlist search across up to 5,000 stored faces and cross-line/intrusion detection directly at the NVR level, independent of camera capability. The 12MP recording ceiling means the system is not limited to 4MP or 8MP cameras, and the 4K HDMI output ensures the display pipeline keeps pace with that resolution. With 144Mbps of incoming bandwidth, a full 8-camera load at high resolution does not cause bandwidth throttling. Available at Security Wholesalers, the DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2 is a well-specified recorder for installers who need AI functionality without stepping up to a larger, more expensive chassis.
Buyer Decision Tips
Storage Planning: The DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2 has a single HDD bay supporting up to 10TB. For an 8-camera system recording at high resolution continuously, 10TB may provide only 7-14 days of storage depending on compression settings and motion activity. Before purchasing, calculate expected storage using your camera resolution, frame rate, Smart H.265+ compression, and required retention period. If your project requires 30+ days of continuous recording across all 8 channels at full resolution, consider a recorder with 2 or more HDD bays instead.
AI Channel Limits and Decoding Trade-offs: When AI processing is active, the NVR’s live decoding capability drops from 6 channels at 1080p to 4 channels at 1080p. On-board face recognition and perimeter protection are each limited to 1 channel at the NVR level. If you need AI analytics across more than 1-4 channels simultaneously, pair this recorder with compatible WizSense cameras that carry their own AI processing – the NVR’s AI-by-camera passthrough extends coverage without burdening the recorder’s processor.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Model |
DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2 |
| Product Type |
8-Channel Compact 1U Desktop NVR with 8 PoE Ports, WizSense AI, 1HDD Bay |
| Maximum Recording Resolution |
12MP |
| Incoming Bandwidth |
Up to 144 Mbps |
| PoE Ports |
8 ports; output voltage 53V; output current 1.8A; max 25.5W per port |
| Video Output |
1 x HDMI (4K); 1 x VGA |
| Decoding (AI Disabled) |
1ch@12MP, 1ch@8MP, 2ch@5MP, 3ch@4MP, 6ch@1080P (all @30fps) |
| Decoding (AI Enabled) |
1ch@8MP, 1ch@5MP, 2ch@4MP, 4ch@1080P (all @30fps) |
| AI by NVR – Face Detection and Recognition |
1 channel; up to 10 face databases; up to 5,000 face images |
| AI by NVR – Perimeter Protection |
1 channel |
| AI by NVR – SMD Plus |
4 channels |
| Face Attributes Detected |
Gender, age group, glasses, expressions (8 types), mouth mask, beard |
| HDD Bays |
1 x SATA HDD bay; max 10TB |
| Network Port |
1 x RJ45 Gigabit |
| USB Ports |
2 x USB 2.0 |
| Audio |
1-channel audio IN (RCA); 1-channel audio OUT (RCA) |
| Video Compression |
Smart H.265+ / H.265 / Smart H.264+ / H.264 / MJPEG |
| Processor / OS |
Industrial-grade embedded processor; Embedded Linux |
| Dimensions (W x L x H) |
260 mm x 232.7 mm x 47.6 mm |
| Net Weight |
0.92 kg |
| Operating Temperature |
-10°C to +55°C |
| Operating Humidity |
10%-93% |
| Installation |
Desktop |
| Certifications |
FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class A; CE-EMC EN 55032:2015 Class A |
Ideal Use Cases
Retail Store Surveillance
SMD Plus on 4 channels filters out false alerts caused by trees, rain, or passing vehicles outside, while face recognition with watchlist matching supports loss-prevention efforts across entry doors and checkout areas.
Small Office or Medical Practice
The compact 1U desktop chassis fits neatly into a locked server cabinet or back-room shelf. The single Gigabit network port integrates into an existing office LAN, and the 4K HDMI output connects directly to a standard monitor at a security desk.
Residential Premium IP Upgrade
Homeowners replacing an older DVR system with Dahua WizSense IP cameras benefit from the 8 onboard PoE ports eliminating the need for a separate switch, and AI-by-camera passthrough means every compatible camera operates at full intelligence.
Access Lobby or Entry Control Point
With up to 10 face databases and 5,000 stored face images, the DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2 supports watchlist-based face recognition at building entries, lift lobbies, or gated vehicle entrances where identifying known individuals from recorded footage is a priority.
Multi-Tenant or Small Strata Property
An 8-channel PoE NVR with perimeter protection and Smart H.265+ compression suits strata buildings with 4-8 common-area cameras, where reducing storage consumption across a single 10TB HDD and minimising network cabling complexity are both practical priorities.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: You are building an 8-camera IP system using Dahua WizSense cameras and need integrated PoE, on-board AI analytics including face recognition and SMD Plus, and a compact desktop form factor that avoids rack mounting costs.
- Choose a different model if: Your project requires more than 10TB of onsite storage or 30+ days of continuous high-resolution recording – a recorder with 2 or more HDD bays would be more appropriate. Similarly, if you need more than 1 channel of face recognition or perimeter protection running simultaneously at the NVR level, a higher-specification recorder in the same WizSense range would better suit that requirement.
- Choose a different model if: Your camera count is expected to grow beyond 8 channels in the near term – this recorder does not support channel expansion, so planning for future growth means selecting a 16-channel or higher NVR from the outset.
FAQs
- How many cameras can the DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2 support, and do they all need to be Dahua cameras?
The recorder supports up to 8 IP cameras via its 8 onboard PoE ports. While it is optimised for Dahua cameras and full WizSense AI-by-camera integration is only confirmed with compatible Dahua models, it can technically connect to ONVIF-compliant cameras from other brands. However, AI analytics such as SMD Plus, perimeter protection, and face recognition will only function through AI-by-camera passthrough when using compatible Dahua WizSense cameras.
- What is the total PoE power budget for the 8 ports?
Each of the 8 PoE ports provides up to 25.5W at 53V output with a 1.8A output current per port. This comfortably powers standard Dahua PoE cameras. For installations using cameras with higher power draw – such as those with active deterrence heaters or motorised zoom – confirm each camera’s PoE power requirement against the 25.5W per-port limit before finalising the design.
- Does the NVR support face recognition out of the box, or does that require additional licensing?
Face detection and recognition is built into the DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2 with no additional licensing required. It supports 1 channel of AI-by-NVR face recognition with up to 10 face databases and 5,000 stored face images. The 6 face attributes – gender, age group, glasses, expressions, mouth mask, and beard – are all available natively at commissioning.
- Can I connect this NVR to a 4K monitor for live viewing?
Yes. The recorder includes a 4K HDMI output alongside a VGA output, allowing simultaneous connection to two displays. The HDMI output supports native 4K resolution for live view and playback, which is useful when reviewing footage from higher-resolution cameras such as 8MP or 12MP models connected to the system.
- How much storage can I fit in the DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2, and is that enough for an 8-camera system?
The recorder has a single SATA HDD bay supporting drives up to 10TB. Whether 10TB is sufficient depends on your camera resolution, frame rate, Smart H.265+ compression settings, and required retention period. For an 8-camera system recording 1080p at 15fps with Smart H.265+ compression, 10TB typically provides between 14 and 21 days of storage. Continuous recording at 4MP or above across all 8 channels will reduce that figure. Use Dahua’s storage calculator to confirm before purchase.
- What is the difference between AI by NVR and AI by camera on this recorder?
AI by NVR means the recorder’s own processor runs the analytics – limited to 1 channel for face recognition, 1 channel for perimeter protection, and 4 channels for SMD Plus. AI by camera means the connected camera carries its own AI processor and sends structured metadata to the NVR, which then displays and acts on those results. Pairing this recorder with WizSense cameras extends effective AI coverage beyond the NVR’s own processing limits across all 8 channels simultaneously.
- Where can I confirm compatibility between this NVR and my existing or planned Dahua cameras?
Dahua maintains an official compatibility tool on their website for cross-referencing NVR and camera pairings. For purchasing and pre-sales technical queries, Security Wholesalers carries the DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2 and can assist with confirming compatibility for specific camera models in your planned system. Always verify camera firmware versions are aligned for full WizSense AI-by-camera feature support.
Additional Information
Dahua DHI-NVR2108HS-8P-I2 Datasheet
