Will a New DVR Work With My Existing Swann BNC Security Cameras

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  • Will a new Viewtron DVR work with my existing Swann BNC security cameras? Can I use a Viewtron DVR with the Swann cameras I already have, or do I have to replace my whole system?

    A customer who had just ordered a new DVR from CCTV Camera Pros asked us exactly this. They already had Swann 1080p cameras wired with coax cable and BNC connectors. They wanted to know if the new DVR would plug and play with those cameras, and if we had any tips to make the setup easy.

    Short answer: yes, in almost every case. CCTV Camera Pros does not sell Swann cameras or Swann DVRs, but we replace Swann DVRs with Viewtron hybrid BNC DVRs all the time. Viewtron DVRs are plug and play with 99% of the BNC cameras out there, including Swann analog CCTV (CVBS), AHD, HD-TVI, and HD-CVI cameras from 720p and 1080p up to 4MP, 5MP, and 4K. You keep your existing Swann cameras and coax cable and only swap the DVR. The only BNC video format that does not work with Viewtron DVRs is HD-SDI / SDI camera format, which is very rare.

    NOTE: if you want to be 100% sure that your existing Swann security cameras will work with our Viewtron DVRs, you can email me here anytime with your existing make and model of camera(s): mike@cctvcamerapros.net.

    1. Will Swann cameras work with any DVR?

    Not every DVR. The DVR has to support the video format and resolution that your cameras output. Swann has used different formats over the years. Older Swann systems are standard definition analog CCTV. Swann 1080p systems were sold in both AHD and HD-TVI versions, and newer Swann systems use 5MP and 4K cameras. For example, some older Swann 720p AHD DVRs do not work with 1080p AHD cameras.

    That is why we recommend a hybrid DVR. Every BNC input on a Viewtron hybrid DVR supports CVBS, AHD, HD-TVI, and HD-CVI, so you do not have to know the exact format ahead of time. You can even mix formats and resolutions on different channels.

    2. Check which Swann cameras and DVR you have

    If you want to be 100% sure before you order, here is how to check:

    • Look for the model number on the label on each camera (for example PRO-1080MSB or PRO-T853).
    • Look at the sticker on the back or bottom of your old Swann DVR. Swann uses DVR4-, DVR8-, and DVR16- prefixes for its 4, 8, and 16 channel models.
    • Find your DVR model in our Swann DVR camera compatibility guide. It lists the video format that each Swann DVR uses and the Swann DVR models that a Viewtron DVR replaces.
    • Still not sure? Send us the make and model of your cameras and we will check for you.

    3. Pick the right size Viewtron DVR

    Match the number of BNC video inputs to the number of cameras you have now, plus any you plan to add. For example, a Swann DVR8 system has 8 camera inputs.

    All three support analog CCTV (CVBS), AHD, HD-TVI, and HD-CVI BNC cameras from 960H up to 8MP / 4K. So you can keep your Swann 1080p cameras today and add or upgrade to Viewtron BNC security cameras up to 4K later.

    4. Setup tips to make the swap easy

    • Label the cables first. Before you unplug the old Swann DVR, mark each coax cable with its channel number so your cameras come up in the same order on the new DVR.
    • Leave camera power connected. Camera power is usually a separate 12V power supply or splitter, not the DVR power adapter. Make sure every camera still has power after the swap.
    • Plug in the existing BNC connectors. Your Swann BNC cables plug straight into the BNC video inputs on the Viewtron DVR. If a cable is too short, you can extend it with a BNC double female connector and another security camera cable.
    • Let Auto detect the format. The DVR detects the camera signal on each channel automatically. If a channel shows No Video Signal or a scrambled picture, go to Start > Settings > Camera > Edit Camera > Camera Signal and set that channel to the format your camera outputs (TVI, AHD, or CVI/CVBS). Step by step here: No Video Signal Fix for CVI Format BNC Cameras.
    • No picture on every channel? Check camera power first. Scrolling lines across several cameras usually means an aging camera power supply.
    • New app. After the swap you will use the Viewtron app instead of the Swann app. You can watch the Viewtron mobile app demo videos here.
    • Upgrading to 4K later? Higher resolution cameras need better cable than analog cameras. Test a new 4K or 5MP camera on your existing cable before you replace them all.

    Quick checklist

    • Get the model numbers of your Swann cameras and old Swann DVR.
    • Pick a Viewtron hybrid DVR with enough BNC inputs.
    • Label each coax cable by channel, then move the BNC connectors to the new DVR.
    • Confirm every camera has 12V power.
    • Leave Camera Signal on Auto. Set a channel by hand only if it shows No Video Signal.
    • Install the Viewtron app for remote viewing.

    Related

    Not sure which format your Swann cameras use? Email the camera make and model to info@cctvcamerapros.net or call / text 1-561-433-8488 and we will check for you.