Guide: Connecting a Hikvision Camera to a Hikvision NVR Using a Wireless Bridge

1. Prepare the Equipment

You will need:

A Hikvision NVR

A Hikvision IP camera

A pair of wireless bridge units (configured or pre-configured as Access Point and Station)

Network cables

A laptop or PC with the SADP tool installed

2. Set Up the Wireless Bridge

Connect the transmitter (Access Point mode) to the router, or main network switch.

Connect the receiver (Station mode) to the Hikvision camera.

Ensure the two bridge units are powered and paired. Most wireless bridge kits have a pairing button or a configuration page; confirm the link is active before moving on.

This bridge effectively replaces a long Ethernet cable, so once paired, it behaves like a normal wired link.

3. Disable PoE Ports on the NVR (If Needed)

If your NVR has built-in PoE ports and you intend to add the camera via the LAN rather than a PoE port:

Enter the NVR’s Network → Advanced Settings → Other (menus vary slightly by model).

Turn off the PoE channel(s) you are not using.

This is important because PoE ports create an isolated internal network, which prevents cameras connected through a wireless bridge from being discovered correctly.

4. Power the Camera and Connect via the Receiver

The camera should be powered separately using a 12V DC adaptor, PoE injector or POE Switch (if the wireless bridge receiver supports PoE passthrough).

Connect the camera to the receiver using a standard network cable.

5. Use SADP to Locate the Camera

Open the SADP tool on your PC.

Find the camera’s IP address in the device list.

If the address conflicts with your network, use SADP to modify it:

Assign an IP within the same range as your NVR’s LAN

Set gateway and subnet as needed

Save the changes.

At this point, confirm that the camera is reachable by pinging it from the same network.

6. Add the Camera to the NVR

On the NVR, go to Camera Management.

Select an empty channel and choose Manual Add.

Enter:

Camera IP address

Port (default usually 8000)

Username and password

Save and wait for the connection status to turn Online.

7. Test the Video Feed

Open the live view on the NVR to confirm stable video. Wireless bridges can vary in performance, so ensure you have a strong link with low interference.

8. Common Troubleshooting Tips

If the camera does not appear online, check that the wireless bridge link is active.

Confirm that the NVR and the camera are on the same network segment.

If using third-party wireless bridges, check for bandwidth limits, line-of-sight issues, or channel congestion.

Ensure no firewall rules on the router block the camera’s traffic.