CCTV Storage, PoE and RTSP Tools
Work out how much hard-disk space your recorder needs, check your PoE switch has enough power, and build a camera stream link.
How much storage do I need?
Find the hard-disk size for your NVR or DVR. Pick your camera type and how long you want to keep recordings.
Does my PoE switch have enough power?
Compare what your cameras draw with the PoE budget printed on your switch or NVR. Keep usage under 80% so night-vision infrared and start-up surges don't cut power.
Build a camera stream (RTSP) link
Make the link that VLC or another viewer needs to show a camera's live video.
The link contains your camera password. Build it only on your own device, and don't share it or post a screenshot. Zerolink does not connect to your camera.
Plan a secure CCTV system in six steps
- 01
Decide what to watch
For each spot, note whether you need to identify faces, read number plates or just see activity.
- 02
Plan camera positions
Choose lens, height and lighting so each spot gets enough detail.
- 03
Plan the network
Check PoE power above, reserve camera IP addresses and keep cameras on their own network.
- 04
Size the recorder
Use the storage calculator above to pick hard-disk size and retention days.
- 05
Secure every device
Change default passwords, update firmware and turn off features you don't use.
- 06
Test day and night
Check picture quality, motion events, timestamps and that recording has no gaps.
IP camera and NVR brand directory
Default addresses, ports and first-time setup tips by brand. Reviewed 19 August 2026 against manufacturer guides; your model's manual always takes priority.
| Brand | Type | How to find it | Common ports | First-time setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HikvisionOfficial support | IP Camera / NVR | 192.0.0.64 (inactive default) | 80 / 554 / 8000 | Activate camera with strong password, set static IP or DHCP reservation, configure NTP, add to NVR via ONVIF/SDK, validate remote stream. |
| DahuaOfficial support | IP Camera / NVR | 192.168.1.108 (factory default in many models) | 80 / 554 / 37777 | Initialize device, enforce strong password, set encode profile, bind to NVR, then test RTSP and motion events. |
| CP PlusOfficial support | IP Camera / DVR | Model dependent | 80 / 554 | Run initialization wizard, set admin credentials, camera IP plan, record schedule, and remote app binding. |
| UniviewOfficial support | IP Camera / NVR | 192.168.1.13 (varies by model) | 80 / 554 | Activate device, update firmware, assign VLAN/IP plan, configure RTSP stream profile and retention schedule. |
| AxisOfficial support | Enterprise IP Camera | DHCP / AXIS IP Utility | 80 / 554 | Discover with AXIS tools, set HTTPS and certs, define stream profiles, analytics events and recording targets. |
| Hanwha VisionOfficial support | Enterprise IP Camera | DHCP / Wisenet Device Manager | 80 / 554 | Initialize user, enforce password policy, set network/time, configure codec and event actions. |
CCTV storage and PoE questions
How much CCTV storage do I need?
Storage depends on camera count, bitrate, recording hours, retention days, codec and scene activity. Hikvision H.265+ and CP PLUS InstaStream usually need less storage than H.264 or H.265 in quieter scenes. Plan extra reserve for filesystem overhead and bitrate variation.
How much spare PoE capacity should a CCTV system keep?
A practical design target is to keep sustained camera load at or below about 80 percent of the switch or NVR PoE budget, with extra allowance for infrared illumination and device startup.
Does H.265 always use half the storage of H.264?
No. Actual savings vary with the camera, scene movement, resolution, frame rate, image quality and encoder implementation. Use the configured average bitrate for planning.
What is Hikvision H.265+ compared with H.265?
H.265+ is Hikvision smart encoding on supported cameras. It can lower bitrate further than H.265 in low-to-medium motion by adjusting GOP and bitrate dynamically. This planner uses about 38% of a comparable H.264 bitrate. Confirm the live stream bitrate on the camera or NVR for final sizing.
What is CP PLUS InstaStream?
InstaStream is CP PLUS smart compression on supported IP cameras. It is intended to keep image quality while reducing recording bitrate in quieter scenes. This planner uses about 35% of a comparable H.264 bitrate. Busy streets, PTZ motion and high-detail night scenes use more storage than a quiet indoor scene.
Is it safe to share an RTSP URL?
No. An RTSP URL can contain a camera username and password. Generate it only on a trusted device, avoid screenshots or chat sharing, and use a limited-permission account where supported.
Should IP cameras be placed on a separate network?
For business and larger residential deployments, isolate cameras with a dedicated VLAN or network, restrict internet access and allow management only from authorised systems.
Using this CCTV planner with Zerolink installations
Size storage and PoE before a survey in Gharaunda, Panipat or Karnal, then confirm the uplink with a bandwidth estimate and the local CCTV service page.
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