Product Overview
Built for installers and end-users who need a self-contained IP recording solution without a separate PoE switch, the DS-7608NI-I2-8P is an 8-channel embedded network video recorder from Hikvision’s I Series range. Featuring 8 built-in Power over Ethernet ports, it allows cameras to connect and begin recording with minimal cabling and no additional switching hardware. The unit is powered by a Huawei 4-core processor and supports H.265 intelligent compression, which can reduce bandwidth and storage consumption by up to 50% compared to standard H.264 streams. It outputs live and recorded footage at 4K UHD resolution via HDMI and 1080P via VGA, and supports recording resolutions up to 12MP across all 8 channels within an 80Mbps total incoming bandwidth limit. With 2 HDD bays available for local storage, it suits small commercial premises, retail environments, and multi-camera domestic installations. Note: no hard drive is included and must be added separately.
Your NVR will come with the latest Gui5.0 Software
Key Capabilities
8 Built-In PoE Ports
All 8 channels are served by integrated Power over Ethernet ports, supplying both data and power through a single CAT cable run. This removes the need for a separate PoE switch and simplifies rack space and wiring in small-to-medium installations.
H.265 Intelligent Compression
H.265 encoding reduces file sizes and bandwidth usage by up to 50% compared to H.264, stretching the usable life of installed hard drives and keeping streams manageable across all 8 channels without sacrificing recorded detail.
4K UHD Display Output
The HDMI output supports 4K UHD resolution for live viewing and playback, allowing high-resolution camera feeds to be displayed in full detail on a 4K monitor. A VGA output is also available at 1080P for use with older display hardware on site.
Up to 12MP Recording Resolution
The NVR decodes and records at resolutions up to 12MP, making it compatible with high-resolution Hikvision IP cameras beyond standard 4MP and 8MP models and keeping the system viable as camera technology is upgraded over time.
Dual HDD Bay Storage
Two internal HDD bays allow storage to be configured to the site’s retention requirements. Buyers can install 1 or 2 surveillance-grade hard drives and scale capacity without replacing the unit. No drive is included, so storage can be matched to the specific project from the outset.
Best For
- Small Commercial Premises: Retail stores, offices, and workshops running up to 8 IP cameras benefit from the integrated PoE ports, which keep cabling overhead low and reduce hardware costs by eliminating a dedicated PoE switch.
- Domestic Multi-Camera Systems: Larger residential properties with 4 to 8 cameras gain access to 4K display output and H.265 storage efficiency in a single-box setup that is straightforward to configure and manage.
- Sites Requiring High-Resolution Recording: Installations using cameras above 5MP or up to 12MP are supported across all 8 channels, making the DS-7608NI-I2-8P a practical recorder for camera upgrades or new high-res deployments.
- Installers Seeking Plug-and-Play Setup: The 8 PnP PoE ports allow Hikvision IP cameras to be detected and added automatically on the local network segment, reducing on-site configuration time during commissioning.
Why Choose the DS-7608NI-I2-8P
Where a basic NVR requires a separate PoE switch to connect cameras, the DS-7608NI-I2-8P includes 8 dedicated PoE ports on the unit itself, handling both camera power and data through a single cable to each camera position. The Huawei 4-core processor supports smooth multi-channel decoding, and H.265 compression keeps storage and bandwidth requirements lower than equivalent H.264 recorders. The 80Mbps incoming bandwidth ceiling accommodates a full 8-camera load at practical resolutions without bottlenecking streams, and the 4K HDMI output means the full resolution of connected cameras can be reviewed on-screen without downscaling. With 2 HDD bays, storage can be tailored at purchase or expanded later using surveillance-rated drives. The DS-7608NI-I2-8P is available at Security Wholesalers and suits both new installations and upgrades from older analogue systems.
Buyer Decision Tips
Storage Planning: This NVR ships with no hard drive installed. Before purchasing, calculate your required retention period based on the number of cameras, recording resolution, and hours of motion or continuous recording per day. H.265 compression reduces file sizes significantly, but 8 cameras recording at high resolution still demand substantial storage. Most 8-camera commercial installations running 1080P or above will require at least a 4TB surveillance-grade drive to achieve 7-day retention, and 2 drives to reach 14-30 days depending on camera resolution and activity levels.
Bandwidth Ceiling Awareness: The DS-7608NI-I2-8P supports a total incoming bandwidth of 80Mbps across all 8 channels. If all cameras are configured at high bitrates or maximum resolution, the combined stream can approach this ceiling. For installations mixing cameras at 8MP or higher, calculate total bitrate across all channels before finalising camera selection to avoid stream throttling. Reducing bitrate settings or using H.265+ on supported cameras will help keep combined usage within limit.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Model | DS-7608NI-I2-8P |
| Video Channels | 8 channels |
| PoE Ports | 8 built-in Power over Ethernet ports (Plug and Play) |
| Incoming Bandwidth | 80Mbps |
| Maximum Recording Resolution | Up to 12MP |
| Video Compression | H.265 / H.264+ intelligent compression |
| HDMI Output Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| VGA Output Resolution | 1080P (1920 x 1080) |
| HDD Bays | 2 bays (no HDD included) |
| Processor | Huawei 4-core embedded processor |
| Series | Hikvision I Series NVR |
| Setup Method | Plug and Play via built-in PoE switch |
| Hard Drive Included | No – must be purchased separately |
Ideal Use Cases
Retail Store Surveillance
Up to 8 cameras covering shopfronts, aisles, and cash areas can connect directly via the built-in PoE ports. H.265 compression keeps storage usage low across continuous recording, and the 4K HDMI output allows staff to monitor live feeds on a wall-mounted display.
Office Building Coverage
Entry points, car parks, and internal corridors across a small to mid-sized office building can be managed from a single DS-7608NI-I2-8P. The dual HDD bays allow sufficient retention storage to be installed to meet typical corporate or insurance requirements.
Residential Multi-Camera Installations
Larger homes or properties with separate outbuildings benefit from the 8-channel capacity and plug-and-play PoE connection, keeping installation simple. Support for up to 12MP recording allows high-resolution cameras to be used at key access points without replacing the recorder.
Small Warehouse or Workshop
Industrial environments with a single building perimeter of up to 8 camera positions are well served by this NVR. The 80Mbps bandwidth ceiling accommodates mixed camera types, and the H.265 compression makes longer retention practical without oversized storage drives.
IP Camera System Upgrades
Sites moving from older analogue DVR systems to IP cameras can use the DS-7608NI-I2-8P as the recording backbone. Support for up to 12MP means current and near-future camera models are accommodated without requiring an immediate recorder replacement.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: You need an 8-channel NVR with integrated PoE ports, H.265 recording up to 12MP, and 4K HDMI output in a single unit, and you are comfortable selecting and adding your own surveillance-grade hard drives to match your required retention period.
- Choose a different model if: Your site requires more than 8 camera channels, in which case a 16-channel or higher NVR will be necessary. If you need a recorder that ships ready to record without any additional purchases, look for a variant bundled with a pre-installed hard drive. If your cameras are analogue HDTVI or HDCVI rather than IP, a DVR or XVR is the appropriate recorder type.
FAQs
- Does the DS-7608NI-I2-8P come with a hard drive included?
No. This unit is sold without a hard drive. The NVR has 2 internal HDD bays, and you will need to add at least 1 surveillance-rated hard drive before recording can begin. Drives can be added at purchase or at any time, and capacity can be expanded later by filling the second bay. - What is the maximum storage capacity this NVR can support?
The DS-7608NI-I2-8P has 2 HDD bays. The maximum capacity per bay depends on the largest surveillance-grade hard drives available at the time of installation. With 2 large-capacity drives installed, the total usable storage can reach several terabytes, which when combined with H.265 compression can provide extended retention across all 8 channels. - What types of cameras are compatible with this NVR?
The DS-7608NI-I2-8P is an IP NVR and is designed to work with Hikvision IP cameras. It is not compatible with analogue HDTVI, HDCVI, or AHD cameras. It supports cameras up to 12MP resolution, and the plug-and-play function is optimised for Hikvision cameras connecting over the built-in PoE ports on the same local network segment. - What does the 80Mbps bandwidth limit mean for camera selection?
80Mbps is the total incoming video data the NVR can receive across all 8 channels simultaneously. If 8 cameras are each configured at a high bitrate, for example 10Mbps per camera, that totals 80Mbps and uses the full capacity. Using H.265 compression on cameras reduces per-camera bitrate, giving more headroom and allowing higher resolution streams without hitting the ceiling. - Can I view recordings on a 4K monitor?
Yes. The HDMI output on the DS-7608NI-I2-8P supports 4K UHD output at 3840 x 2160, allowing live and recorded footage to be displayed at full resolution on a compatible 4K monitor or television. A VGA output is also available for use with 1080P displays where HDMI connectivity is not available. - Does the built-in PoE switch replace a separate network switch?
For camera connections only, yes. The 8 PoE ports on the NVR supply both power and network data to connected cameras, so no external PoE switch is needed to run the cameras themselves. However, if you need to connect the NVR to a broader network, router, or remote monitoring system, a separate network connection from the NVR’s uplink port to your router or switch is still required. Security Wholesalers can assist with advice on network setup requirements for your specific installation. - Is remote viewing supported on mobile devices?
Yes. The DS-7608NI-I2-8P supports remote access via Hikvision’s mobile viewing application, allowing live and recorded footage to be accessed from smartphones and tablets over an internet connection. Remote setup requires configuration of network settings including port forwarding or use of Hikvision’s cloud access service depending on your network environment.
Additional Information
- User Manual – DS-7600NI-I2 Series
- Datasheet – DS-7600NI-I2 Series NVR
- Need more hard drive space? Browse compatible surveillance hard drives
Hard Drives
| Image | Name | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4TB HDD - WD Purple / Seagate Surveillance Hard Drive for DVRs & NVRs | $300.00 inc GST +3 Year Warranty & Support | ||
| 6TB HDD - WD Purple / Seagate Skyhawk Surveillance Hard Drive for DVRs & NVR | $420.00 | ||
| 2TB HDD - WD Purple / Seagate Surveillance Hard Drive for DVRs & NVRs | $240.00 inc GST +3 Year Warranty & Support | ||
| 3TB HDD - Surveillance HDD Hard Drive for DVRs & NVRs | $300.00 inc GST +3 Year Warranty & Support |






























