Many apartment owners, private households, and small businesses are looking for affordable yet reliable security solutions. One such device is the Hikvision DS-E04NI-Q1 – a compact NVR (Network Video Recorder) for 4 IP cameras that combines easy setup, an intuitive menu, and the possibility of flexible scaling.
Why Hikvision
When I was choosing an NVR, my main criteria were not only technical specifications but also practical aspects.
First of all — compact size. Most video recorders take up a lot of space and look like mini-computers, but the Hikvision DS-E04NI-Q1 stands out with its very small case. Its dimensions are 265 × 225 × 45 mm, which means it easily fits into a narrow niche or on a shelf next to the router. This was important for me since I had already planned a mounting box for low-voltage equipment during my apartment renovation.
The second factor was SSD support. I immediately decided to use a solid-state drive instead of a traditional HDD. This NVR comes with a built-in 1TB SSD, which is enough for many hours of recording. Thanks to the absence of active cooling and the SSD itself, the device operates completely silently.
The third important point was the price. This is not exactly a budget model — its cost is about $150–180, which is roughly twice as expensive as entry-level recorders. However, in my opinion, the price is fair for what it offers. For home use or a small office, there is no reason to overpay for “professional” solutions, and buying outdated models makes little sense. Against the background of other options, this NVR looked like the most optimal choice.
In the end, it was precisely the combination of these three factors — compact size, fair price, and SSD support — that became the decisive argument in favor of purchasing the Hikvision DS-E04NI-Q1.
First Impressions
Even before powering it on, the device leaves a good impression with its packaging. Inside the box you will find everything necessary to get started:
- The NVR itself
- A 12V power adapter
- A mouse for menu navigation
- An Ethernet cable
- A user manual
Everything is packed neatly and logically, showing the manufacturer’s attention to detail.
The case of the recorder is compact and minimalistic, designed in a classic style without unnecessary elements. On the front panel, there are several LED indicators that allow you to instantly check the device status: whether it’s powered on, recording, or connected to the network.
On the back side, there are also only the essential ports — Ethernet for connecting to a router or switch, HDMI for connecting a monitor, two USB ports for the mouse and another device, and a 12V power connector.
Thanks to its small size, the NVR can be placed next to the router, on a shelf, or even hidden in a cabinet so that it doesn’t attract attention.
Features and Usage
The DS-E04NI-Q1 is designed to work with four IP cameras, which is more than enough for a small apartment or house. It supports modern video compression formats, allowing recordings to take up less disk space while maintaining good image quality.
What’s especially convenient is that the user can choose how to interact with the recorder. It can be connected to a monitor and controlled directly with a mouse, or configured through the mobile Hik-Connect app. This is very practical since it allows you to view live video or playback recordings even when you are far from home.
Setup
When I first connected the NVR, it automatically obtained an IP address. I just had to check it and open the settings page in a browser. During the initial setup, the system requires user initialization: creating a password and setting up recovery methods in case the password is lost.
I assumed the camera was already configured, so the following steps focused only on the NVR. At this stage, I needed to add the camera. For convenience, I used the Hikvision IVMS-4200 software.
After launching the program, you go to the Device Management section to add both the NVR and the camera. In the “Devices” menu, all supported devices in the local network are displayed automatically. You simply need to add the NVR by entering the login and password you set earlier.
Then you add the camera as well.
Once both devices show an “online” status, you can proceed to the next step: linking the camera to the recorder. In the Devices menu, under the Operation column, click the settings icon and open Basic Settings. This opens the web interface of the NVR.
To add the camera, go to the System menu, then Camera Management, and select Quick Add. The NVR will automatically find the camera, and all you need to do is confirm by clicking OK.
Now the camera is connected. The next step is to configure the recording type. In my case, I chose 24/7 recording triggered only by motion detection. This is configured under the Storage menu, in the Schedule Settings submenu. There you select the camera (in my case, only one — Camera 01), enable recording, and set “Motion” as the event type, applying it across the 24-hour timeline. Once saved, the schedule is ready.
Other parameters, such as image quality and detailed camera settings, are configured directly in the camera, so I won’t cover them in this article. But feel free to leave a comment if you have questions — I’ll be glad to help.
Conclusion
The Hikvision DS-E04NI-Q1 is a simple and reliable NVR that is perfectly suited for home use or small business applications. Its main strength lies in the balance between price and functionality. You get a device that is easy to set up, convenient to use, and capable of ensuring your security on a daily basis.
