CCTV Manuals

How to Use SmartPSS Lite on PC Windows (2026 Guide): Add Device, Live View & Playback

How to use SmartPSS Lite for Windows – Once you’ve installed SmartPSS Lite on your computer, you can use this software to monitor the live view of your Dahua CCTV cameras. SmartPSS Lite allows you to watch live video, access playback recordings, and download stored surveillance footage. You can install this software on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

In this guide, I will explain how to use SmartPSS Lite on Windows 11, based on the computer I am currently using.

IP Cameras vs Analog CCTV: What’s the Difference? Which One is Right for Your Home?

IP Cameras vs Analog CCTV for home – As professional security camera technicians, we constantly receive questions from customers, including the most common one, “What’s the difference between IP cameras and analog CCTV cameras?” They want to know which cameras are suitable for their homes. In my area, analog CCTV cameras are still the primary choice.

In this guide, I would like to explain the differences between IP cameras and analog CCTV cameras based on my personal views and experience.

50+ Complete CCTV Default Passwords List for DVR, NVR, and IP Cameras (All Major Brands)

Do DVR, NVR, and IP cameras have default passwords? This was a question a few days ago from a customer who forgot the password for their Hikvision DVR. However, there really isn’t a default password. Some brands may have a default password printed on the label. I then explained to them that DVRs don’t have default passwords, but I suggested using the one I provided. As it turned out, the DVR could be unlocked.

In this article, I’ll provide a list of default passwords for DVRs, NVRs, and IP cameras for almost all brands that you can use if you forget your password.

Seagate SkyHawk 2TB Surveillance HDD Price & Specs – Starting at $141.58

Seagate SkyHawk 2TB Surveillance HDD Price and Specs

Seagate SkyHawk 2TB surveillance HDD price & specs – The HDD is a crucial component of a security camera system. It operates 24/7, continuously writing and reading video from the camera. Therefore, the quality of the HDD used will impact the camera’s recording performance. Many beginners don’t understand that a security camera HDD is different from a computer HDD. A computer HDD, when installed in a camera recorder, will often not last long.

In this article, I will review the 2TB Seagate SkyHawk HDD specifically for security cameras and the one I use most often.

Download TinyCam Monitor App for PC (Windows 11/10 & Mac) – Latest Version

How to download and install tinyCam app for PC – Are you looking for a way to view cameras from different brands in one app? tinyCam Monitor is a great option. It supports many popular camera brands and allows you to manage them all from a single interface. That’s why I often recommend it to customers who want to combine cameras from different manufacturers into one app.

In this guide I will write how to download and install the tinyCam Monitor application on a PC, is it possible?

How to Use V380 on PC: Add Device, Live View, Playback, Download Video (2026 Guide)

How to use V380 on PC – The reason users who contacted me wanted to view the V380 camera’s display on a PC was because they wanted a larger display than on a mobile phone. To view the live view of the V380 camera on a PC, you can use the V380 Pro PC app. You can read this guide to download, install, and set up the V380 on a PC.

In this guide I wrote, I will give you information on how to use the V380 on a PC, such as live view, playback, and others.

How to Add Hikvision DVR, NVR & IP Cameras to Blue Iris Software — Here’s How I Did It (2026 Guide)

Hikvision DVR NVR and IP Camera connected to Blue Iris software

How to setup Hikvision DVR/NVR and IP camera on Blue Iris – Finally, after purchasing a new PC running Windows, I was able to try out the Blue Iris software. I have successfully installed this software and it is running on my Windows 11 PC.I’ll be testing the capabilities of this software.Does Blue Iris support DVR/NVR connectivity in addition to IP cameras? In this experiment, I used a Hikvision DVR.

In this guide, I invite you to learn together to connect DVR/NVR and Hikvision IP cameras to Blue Iris software.

Hikvision PoE Managed Switch vs Unmanaged Switch – What’s the Difference? Which One Is Better?

Hikvision PoE Managed Switch vs Unmanaged Switch – In addition to providing CCTV cameras, Hikvision, the leading security camera company, also offers supporting devices, one of which is the PoE Switch. This device supplies power to the IP camera and also transmits data from the camera to the NVR. Hikvision offers two PoE Switch models: unmanaged and managed.

In this guide, we will compare both types of these devices and help you decide which one best suits your needs.

Here’s How I Reset My Hikvision IP Camera Password in Under 10 Minutes! (2026 Guide)

How to Reset Hikvision IP Camera Password

Hikvision IP camera password reset guide for 2026 – One of our responsibilities as professional security camera technicians is to answer calls from customers who have forgotten their Hikvision IP camera passwords. This article is based on our firsthand experience resetting Hikvision IP camera passwords at a local charcoal processing plant. This guide can be used for all Hikvision IP camera models.

You will learn how to reset a Hikvision IP camera password step by step using the easiest and most updated methods.

Top 9 Security Camera Installation Services in Tallahassee, FL (Consumer’s Choice 2026)

Security camera Installers in Tallahassee, Florida – Looking for reliable security camera installers in Tallahassee, Florida? Whether you need a system for your home or business, choosing the right company is critical for long-term security and performance.

Below are some of the top-rated local security camera installers in Tallahassee, along with tips to help you choose the right service.

Forgot Your IVMS-4200 Password? Here’s How I Reset It (2026 Guide)

How to fix the IVMS-4200 forgot password problem – IVMS-4200 is software provided by Hikvision. Using this software, you can connect and display Hikvision security cameras on laptops and computers, in addition to using Hik-Connect. However, because I haven’t used it for a long time, I forgot my password and can’t log in to the IVMS-4200 dashboard.

In this guide, I will show you how I have solved this problem by changing the IVMS-4200 password.