Best NVR for Security Cameras: Silarius NVR Guide
The best NVR for your security cameras
How to pick the right recorder by number of cameras, PoE ports and storage, with the Silarius NVR for each system size.
The best Silarius NVR for each system size
Pick by how many cameras you have today, plus room to grow. A good rule is about 25% more channels than cameras.
| Best for | Silarius NVR | Channels | Built-in PoE ports | Drive bays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 4 cameras, all cabled | SIL-NVR4CHPOE | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| Up to 8 cameras, all cabled | SIL-NVR4K16 | 16 | 8 | 1 |
| Up to 16 cameras, all cabled | SIL-NVR16CHPOE | 25 | 16 | 1 |
| Up to 32 cameras, with PoE switches | SIL-NVRS32C4K | 32 | None (use a PoE switch) | 2 |
| Up to 36 cameras, face recognition | SIL-NVRAI16 | 36 | None (use a PoE switch) | 2 |
| Large sites, up to 64 cameras | SIL-NVRS64C4K | 64 | None (use a PoE switch) | 8 |
| Wi-Fi cameras | SIL-NVR8CHWIFI | 9 | Wi-Fi | 1 |
| Budget, cameras on a PoE switch | SIL-NVR9CH | 9 | None (use a PoE switch) | 1 |
| Old coax (BNC) cameras | SIL-XVR4CH | 4 BNC + IP | None | 1 |
Every Silarius NVR records up to 4K and is sold without drives; pick the drive size on the product page.
Popular Silarius NVRs
How to choose
1. Channels
One channel records one camera. Multi-sensor cameras use one channel per view (the 4-view SIL-XMS32MP uses 4).
2. PoE ports
PoE ports power the cameras over the network cable. If the NVR has fewer PoE ports than you have cameras, add a PoE switch.
3. Storage
Storage depends on cameras, resolution and how many days you keep. These estimates use H.265 recording around the clock (about 32 GB a day for a 5MP camera, 65 GB for 4K). Recording only on motion needs much less.
| Cameras | Resolution | Keep video | Storage needed (about) | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5MP | 30 days | 3.9 TB | 4TB drive |
| 8 | 5MP | 30 days | 7.8 TB | 8TB drive |
| 16 | 5MP | 30 days | 15.6 TB | 16TB (2 drives) |
| 16 | 8MP (4K) | 30 days | 31.1 TB | 36TB (2 drives) |
| 32 | 5MP | 30 days | 31.1 TB | 36TB (2 drives) |
4. Recorder or cloud?
An NVR keeps video on site. Silarius X cameras can instead record straight to Silarius Cloud, camera by camera, with no recorder at all. Many sites use both.
Questions
How many channels do I need?
Count your cameras, add about 25% for growth, and pick the NVR with at least that many channels.
Do I need an NVR with PoE?
Only if you want the NVR to power the cameras. Otherwise use any NVR plus a PoE switch.
How much storage do I need for 8 cameras?
About 8TB keeps 30 days from eight 5MP cameras recording around the clock. Motion-only recording needs less.
Are Silarius cameras NDAA compliant?
Yes. Silarius cameras and recorders are NDAA compliant.
What warranty do Silarius cameras have?
Every Silarius camera and recorder has a 3-year full Silarius warranty (solar products have their own terms).
Do Silarius products ship free?
Yes. Every Silarius-brand product ships free in the US, at any order size.