Want to back up your NVR or DVR to the cloud? With Videoloft, it’s quick, simple, and remote. Just plug in a Cloud Adapter, connect it via the app or web, link your recorder, and choose which channels to back up. No port forwarding, no router headaches, just cloud storage in minutes. Perfect for legacy systems from brands like Hikvision, Dahua, Uniview and more, Videoloft modernizes your setup without replacing existing hardware.
If you’re looking for hybrid cloud video surveillance and you want to find out how to back up a recorder (NVR/DVR) to the cloud, you’ve come to the right place! You can backup your recorder to the cloud in a few simple steps using the Videoloft bridging device, or what we like to call, the Videoloft Cloud Adapter:
- Check your camera brand is compatible with our adapter.
- Create your cloud plan and order your Videoloft Cloud Adapter.
- Download the Videoloft app or use the Videoloft website to connect the Adapter.
- Find your NVR/DVR on the network and connect to the cloud!
If you want to know more, then check out our step by step set up guide.
Why cloud backup is more relevant than ever
According to Grand View Research, “the global video surveillance market to projected to grow from 73 billion USD in 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 12.1% from 2025 to 20230, fueled by increasing security demands and technological advancements”.
Additionally, The Business Research Company highlights that “the Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) market is expected to grow from 4 billion USD in 2024 to 5 billion USD in 2025”, demonstrating the growing shift toward cloud-based surveillance solutions.
Recorder cloud storage installation checklist
You can add cloud to legacy systems from leading brands such as TVT, Hikvision, Vivotek, Dahua or Uniview, and use a bridging device called a Cloud Adapter to back up a recorder (NVR/DVR) to the cloud.
What you’ll need to back up a recorder to the cloud
Installing cloud storage is very simple.
Videoloft cloud can be installed in a few minutes through the Videoloft website or app. What’s more, you don’t even need to be on site to get Videoloft cloud as it can be installed remotely.
Also, you won’t need to worry about port forwarding or router configuration. All you’ll need to connect an NVR or DVR recorder to the cloud is:
- Cloud compatible recorders, and their usernames and passwords.
- Cloud Adapter and its Cloud ID.
- Access to a laptop or desktop computer, or a smartphone or tablet with the latest version of the Videoloft app, which is available both on iOS and Android devices.
Pre-configuration of DVR/NVR
If you’re installing a brand new Dahua, Vivotek or Uniview recorder, you’ll need to pre-configure it before it can be used with Videoloft. You’ll need to activate it by setting a password for the admin user, then enable DHCP.
If you’re installing a brand new Hikvision recorder, no manual pre-configuration is needed.
Cloud installation
Once you’ve ensured that the recorder (NVR/DVR) you’re installing is cloud compatible, it’s time to back it up to the cloud! Now comes the so-called “hard part”, i.e. setting up cloud storage for your recorder. Worry not, it will only take a few minutes. This guide takes you through the Videoloft set up process using the Videoloft website, however, it can also be done using the Videoloft mobile app.
Step 1: Setting up Cloud Adapter
To set up cloud storage for your recorder, you’ll first need to set up the Cloud Adapter. To do so follow the below steps:
- Ensure that the recorder is connected to power and network.
- Connect the Cloud Adapter to the same network and then power, then wait 5 minutes before proceeding with the next step.
- Login to the Videoloft website with your credentials. You can also run installations from the Videoloft mobile app if required.
- If there are no cameras installed on your account then click ‘Install cameras’.
Camera install screen
- If there are already cameras installed on the account, then go to ‘Dashboard’, and click ‘Link new adapter’.
Videoloft dashboard
- Enter the Cloud ID and click ‘Continue’, note that the Cloud ID is case sensitive.
Enter your Cloud Adapter ID here
- When the Cloud Adapter is discovered, it will be linked with the account. Click ‘Continue’. Videoloft will then discover all cameras and recorders connected to the same network as the Cloud Adapter.
Cloud Adapter successfully linked to account
Step 2: Connecting to DVR/NVR
Once you have set up the Cloud Adapter:
- Select the required recorder. You’ll be prompted for the DVR/NVR username and password.
Select which recorder you’d like to backup
Enter the username and password of your recorder
- If your recorder doesn’t automatically appear in the list, click on ‘Add by IP’. Change type to ‘Brand name DVR/NVR’ (e.g Hikvision DVR/NVR), enter the IP address, and the DVR/NVR username and password, then click ‘Continue’.
Find your recorder by IP address
- Once authenticated, click the settings cog to choose which recorder channels you want to connect to Videoloft.
Authentication screen
Choose which channels to connect to Videoloft
Step 3: Completing the cloud installation
- Once you have selected all of the cameras you want to install, click ‘Install’ and stay on this screen for approximately 30 seconds while the cameras are connecting.
- Once the installation is complete, choose to ‘View camera’ or go ‘Back to dashboard’.
Installation takes minutes
Post installation
Once the installation is complete, tap ‘View cameras’. For each camera:
- Live feeds are working.
- Motion events are being recorded.
Live feeds in the Videoloft dashboard
Motion events in the Videoloft dashboard
What’s next?
Read about Videoloft’s other features and benefits.
Interested in Videoloft for your home or Videoloft for your business? Look no further, choose your cloud plan, and create your account by getting started.
