Please Read: New Hikvision M-series NVRs

For the last 6-7 years the go-to NVRs from Hikvision have been the K-series & I-series models, these have been a sturdy range of NVRs that (for the most part) have worked really well. Recently though, we have started to see a growing number of issues with running the 8MP AcuSense/ColorVu models on these older NVR models and we believe a big part of the problem is that the bandwidth usage of these new 8MP cameras is exceeding what the older NVR models were built to support.

Ever since we first found out about this issue we have been chasing Hikvision to introduce new NVR models that support more incoming bandwidth so customers can more comfortably use the 8MP AcuSense/ColorVu cameras with their NVRs. Now, it looks like those new NVRs have arrived.

Hikvision M-series NVRs

Currently Available UK/EU Models: DS-7608NI-M2 | DS-7608NI-M2/8P | DS-7616NI-M2 | DS-7616NI-M2/16P | DS-7716NI-M4 | DS-7716NI-M4/16P | DS-7732NI-M4
(There are product pages for 9600 series M-series NVRs on the Hikvision Global website, these are not currently available in the UK/EU but should join the range in the near future)​

The M-series range physically looks no different to the K/I-series models, the biggest changes appear to be in the hardware & software. Below are some of the things we have picked up on from the information Hikvision has provided:

Support for More Incoming Bandwidth - The 8ch M-series NVR supports 128Mbps which is an increase of 48Mbps on the old K/I-series models, it is still not quite enough for 8 x 8MP AcuSense cameras at full settings but it should be enough bandwidth for 6 x full setting cameras or 8 x with some settings reduced (e.g. frame rate, H.265+, etc...)

Features 8K HDMI Output - All the M-series NVRs support 8K HDMI 2.1 output for displaying the image from specialist ultra HD (24/32MP) cameras, on larger M-series models (7700/9600) that support 2 x HDMI outputs only one of the outputs supports 8K output.

Support for "Ultra HD Resolution mode" - Currently the details of this feature are unclear but it would appear to allow the NVR to support more ultra HD (24/32MP) cameras, but the limitations when this feature is enabled are not clear and we also think there would be bandwidth issue running 8 x 32MP cameras on an 8ch NVR (we await clarification from Hikvision).

Features Dual-4K HDMI Output - The larger 7700/9600 M-series models that support 2 x HDMI outputs can display 4K images from both these outputs.

Pros & Cons of the M-series NVRs
Below is a table of some of the advantages & disadvantages we have found with the M-series range
​

Pros​	Cons​
Price - you get all the above features for a price that is only 7-10% more than the current I-series models	Bandwidth - Although the increase in bandwidth is a big step in the right direction, it still is not quite enough bandwidth to be running an NVR fully loaded with High-Resolution Cameras.
Bandwidth - With more incoming bandwidth the M-series models can support more High-Resolution Cameras (8MP/12MP/24MP/32MP)	Advanced VCA Features - M-series does not include the "applying AcuSense to non-AcuSense" feature of the AcuSense NVRs or the deep learning algorithms & face recognition support of the DeepinMind NVRs.
Camera Resolution - With support to record & decode multiple High-Resolution cameras these M-series models are ready for the growing number of high-megapixel cameras (that are also getting more affordable)
Decoding Capability - The K/I-series models had been limited to decoding 1 or 2 x 8MP cameras, the new 8ch M-series model will support decoding 8-ch@8 MP (25 fps).

We have yet to get hands-on with any of the new M-series models so this list is only based on the limited information we have from Hikvision product pages and documentation, this list will likely grow over the coming weeks/months as we learn more.

This brings us to how we discovered these NVRs, as is traditional with Hikvision we had no prior knowledge of this new range. Our MD received a general industry email newsletter that mentioned the new top-spec 9600 M-series models, we were intrigued but not massively excited because we knew these 9600 models were not the most popular with customers. We did some further digging at the Hikvision website for more information on these new models, it was here that we stumbled across new product pages for the 7600/7700 M-series models.

We have contacted Hikvision and asked them for more information/documentation on these new NVRs but as of posting this, they have not provided us with anything, if we do get any new information it will be added to this thread.

We have also reached out about stock availability and lead times, the latest information we have is that the first M-series stock will not be arriving in the UK until November. If your installation is not urgent then you may wish to hold off for this stock and for more information to be made available, but if you do need a new/replacement NVR urgently then the I-series models are still available with firmware that was released this year and 3-year warranty.

Below are the use-IP product pages we have created for the new M-series models:

DS-7608NI-M2/8P 8-channel 8K M-Series NVR
DS-7616NI-M2/16P 16-channel 8K M-Series NVR
DS-7716NI-M4/16P 16-channel 8K M-Series NVR
DS-7732NI-M4 32-channel 8K M-Series NVR

If you are interested in any of the above models you can log in and click the "Notify me when this product is in stock" link, you will then receive an email notification when we mark that particular model as in stock.

As already stated above we have asked Hikvision for more information on these new models, but if you have any specific questions about them you can post them in this thread and we will try to find out the answers for you.

 

[julian toon]

any idea when m series is available in nz

 

[Dan]

Hi @julian toon

We only know about UK/EU availability, if the M-series models are visible on the Oceania/ANZ Hikvision website then I would assume stock should be arriving before the end of this year or very early next year.

 

[dave77]

I'd be interested to know if they have reduced the fan noise compared to the DS-7608NI-K2/8P

 

[busterboy]

Are these actually in stock as stated yet Dan.?

 

[Dan]

Hi @busterboy

Yes, the DS-7608NI-M2/8P and DS-7616NI-M2/16P models are now in stock

 

[dave77]

@Dan Are they still noisy like the K series?

 

[Dan]

Hi @dave77

We took photos of the inside of the NVR the other day and the M-series 8ch NVR appears to have the same fans/fan layout as the I & K-series NVRs.

We haven't done a proper side-by-side test to compare fans to see if the newer models are using newer, quieter fans so unless someone else provides their own experience I would expect the fan noise to be quite similar to the older models.

 

[busterboy]

The DS-7616NI-M2/16P is only showing 8 ports on the display image Dan. Reported to have 16 ports, can you confirm.

 

[Dan]

For more information please see this new article from @Kyle for a comparison of Hikvision's NVR ranges.

 

[Dan]

@busterboy apologies, this was a mistake on our side.

I meant to ask our web team to add these photos to just the 8ch model but accidentally just said M-series to them so they added them to all the models.

The 16ch model does have 16 PoE ports, we will remove these incorrect product photos shortly.

 

[busterboy]

@busterboy apologies, this was a mistake on our side.

I meant to ask our web team to add these photos to just the 8ch model but accidentally just said M-series to them so they added them to all the models.

The 16ch model does have 16 PoE ports, we will remove these incorrect product photos shortly.

Thanks for the speedy response Dan.

 

[gp116126]

Dan The m series product pages show the 8 channel nvr having "Up to 8MP Decoding Capacity"


But all other m series NVRs having "Up to 4MP Decoding Capacity".



Why only 4mp.

 

[Dan]

Hi @gp116126

Again this is something that has not been made very clear on the product page, when it says 'Up to 4MP Decoding Capacity' this actually means 'Up to 16-ch@4 MP decoding capacity'

The models are not limited to 4MP, this is just the maximum resolution that you can decode (live view/playback) all 16ch simultaneously.

See the Decoding Table from the new post that @Kyle has created.

 

[busterboy]

Hi @gp116126

Again this is something that has not been made very clear on the product page, when it says 'Up to 4MP Decoding Capacity' this actually means 'Up to 16-ch@4 MP decoding capacity'

The models are not limited to 4MP, this is just the maximum resolution that you can decode (live view/playback) all 16ch simultaneously.

See the Decoding Table from the new post that @Kyle has created.

I think your "Web Team" needs a wake-up call Dan.

 

[gp116126]

Hi @gp116126

Again this is something that has not been made very clear on the product page, when it says 'Up to 4MP Decoding Capacity' this actually means 'Up to 16-ch@4 MP decoding capacity'

The models are not limited to 4MP, this is just the maximum resolution that you can decode (live view/playback) all 16ch simultaneously.

See the Decoding Table from the new post that @Kyle has created.

Thank you very much for your reply Dan.

 

[Phil]

Over the weekend we have received notification from Hikvision that their I-series of NVRs will go End of Life (EoL) in February next year.
Hikvision are recommending the M-series NVRs as replacements:

 

[wackywoo105]

If I wanted to go up to say 8x 8mp cameras would the Hikvision DS-7608NI-M2/8P 8-channel be sufficient, or would you advise going for a 16 channel model? I know with the I generation it was recommended to go for the 16 channel to increase the bandwidth.

 

[Dan]

Hi @wackywoo105

The M-series NVRs have increased incoming bandwidth limits so you should be fine to run 8 x 8MP cameras.

 

[Phil]

Some useful real-world performance feedback for the M-series NVRs by @JB1970 in this thread:

Colorvu Video Performance Puzzle

I am in the process of upgrading my 5-year-old Hikvision camera network, which has had a Hikvision 7604NI-K1 NVR (with dedicated monitor) as its hub. The planned network will consist of 3 new G2 Colorvu cameras (two 8MP & one 4MP), plus retaining 2 of the previous 4MP 2142-FWD cameras and a 2MP...

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