SVR for HikVision: A step-by-step guide
Open up the DVR recovery software and proceed with the steps outlined below.
1. Select the hard drive you wish to scan

On the homepage, you will find all the connected hard drives and images SVR has discovered. In case you’d like to add more, click the “Add Image” button.
After that’s, it’s best to click the “Refresh” button to ensure that everything has loaded correctly.
2. Click the “Scan” button to begin the video retrieval process

Give it a while to complete the HDD data recovery process. SVR also shows you the estimated time remaining, so sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and let it do the work automatically for you.
3. Review the results

After the scan is complete, SVR will display the results. From here, you can either preview the footage that peaks your interest directly or use advanced filters to narrow down the search results even more.
For instance, you can filter them by:
- Status
- Start time
- End time
4. Preview the footage

Once you’ve found what you are looking for, SVR’s built-in video player lets you preview the footage without exiting the software.
Note that, in the trial version, you will only be able to preview the first 20% of the footage.
5. OPTIONAL: Run a deep scan

If a quick scan was unable to find the desired files, you can initiate a deep scan for advanced video retrieval. Depending on how much time you have available, you can choose how deep you want to go.
6. Export the video

Finally, once you’ve pinned down the file containing the exact evidence you need to reach a conclusion in your forensic investigation, simply select it and click the big blue “Export” button in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
SVR will let you choose the file path of the final export destination. Alternatively, if none is provided, it will place it in the default directory.
Note: the export feature is only available in the full version of SVR for HikVision.
HikVision CCTV data recovery methods and quick fixes
During a HikVision CCTV investigation, there are certain data recovery methods and quick fixes you can try prior to utilizing classic data restore techniques.
You could very well find out that the CCTV video files won’t open due to a simple technicality, although specialized hard drive forensics tools will certainly make things faster and easier.
If the video footage doesn’t play for any reason, try the following quick fixes:
Method #1: Rename the file
In some cases, your media player may refuse to open the file due to how it’s named or because the extension is not quite suitable, so simply try renaming it.
Make sure no special characters are left in there. Sometimes, a triviality like this is all it takes to resolve the matter and get the video playing.
Method #2: Fix the corrupted video file header
The video file header contains essential information that’s necessary for the video to play. For instance, it states how long the video is. In the event it gets corrupted, you may experience issues during playback or the media player could refuse to play it at all.
Since fixing the corrupted video file header can be quite technically demanding, the simplest and most time-efficient method is to use a professional video retrieval and analysis solution.
VIP 2.0 by SalvationDATA allows you to fix corrupted video headers in just a few clicks, without requiring any technical knowledge.
Method #3: Try a different codec/media player
Since different media players support different codecs, the one you’re using may not be compatible with the video footage recorded by HikVision CCTV, thus throwing an error as you attempt to play it.
There are multiple solutions: you could either install the codec separately or install a different media player.
Once again, it’s worth noting that the Ultra Player feature of VIP 2.0 supports virtually all codecs in existence and is one of the fastest ways to resolve your codec issue by far, so you can spend more time cracking the case and less time on technical setbacks.
Method #4: Restore the footage from a backup
If you have one available, you could do a backup restore to access the CCTV footage you’re looking for. In fact, most HikVision DVR models come with scheduled backup functionality.
However, there is a flip side to this. Over time, the older footage gradually gets replaced by the new one, in which case you’re going to require DVR deleted data recovery software such as SVR by SalvationDATA to restore it.
This particular one is a one-click solution that works with all HikVision models.
Method #5: Use the command line on Windows
One of the ways to restore deleted files in Windows 10 is to use CMD. However, this may require advanced computer knowledge to execute properly.
Nevertheless, we’ve broken the process down into a few easy-to-follow steps:
- Open the Start menu and launch CMD through the Run interface. Alternatively, you could also press the key combination “Windows key + X”.
- Once the CMD window is open, enter the command chkdsk c: /f (that’s assuming the disk is using the label “c:”, otherwise use the appropriate label)
- Press ENTER.
- Wait until chkdsk completes the process and fixes any errors encountered during it.