HeimVision HM241 HD NVR Kit Review – Part 1: Unboxing, Teardown and HDD Installation

HM241 HD NVR Kit

I’ve reviewed a few solar-powered security cameras in the last year, and from time to time, I’m being asked to review more from time to time, but I asked for a change, and instead, I wanted to look into security network video recorders (NVR).

HeimVision offered this opportunity with its HM241 HD NVR Kit which they also call a “wireless security camera system”, and comes with 4 Full HD security cameras besides the NVR itself. In the first part of the review, I’ll check out the hardware, and take the opportunity to install a 3.5″ hard drive, before doing a proper installation, and report my experience about the software in one or two extra articles.

HM241 HD NVR Kit Unboxing

People working at customs seem to be fond of larger packages, checked it out in details hence the “Opened and Releases” sticker on the package,  and I had to pay customs duties.

Let’s check out the NVR first. The front panel does not have much except some status LED for power HDD, and run mode, as well as a window for an IR receiver.

HM241 NVR Kit Review
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The rear panel includes the two WiFi antennas, VGA and HDMI output for optional control monitor, a Fast Ethernet port, a USB 2.0 port, and the 12V DC jack.

HM241 NVR Video Output Ethernet
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The bubble wrap for the NVR also included a Quick Guide for HM241 entirely in English and useful to install the system, as well as a welcome card and a QC label.

HM241 Network-Video Record User Manual
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The user guide also explains about software, and for example, you can monitor the cameras either by connecting a VGA or HDMI display, remotely using a web interface, or a mobile app available for Android and iOS.

Heimvision HM241 NVR Camera Kit Unboxing
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Time to take all the bits from the package. We have four cameras with their WiFi antenna and mounting kit, five power supply for the NVR and camera, an Ethernet cable, as well as a USB mouse.

CCTV Camera NVR Power Supply
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The camera power supplies are rated 12V/1A, while the NVR power supply delivers up to 24 Watts (12V/2A).

HeimVision CCTV Camera
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The cameras have night vision, and come with waterproof connectors for power and Ethernet. I’ll probably not use Ethernet at all for the camera since relying on WiFi is much so easier.

HeimVision CCTV Camera Mount
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HM241 Teardown and HDD Installation

You’ll need to install a 3.5″ SATA drive with the NVR, otherwise, all you’d be able to do is to monitor the live streams. Take out the four black screws on the rear panel and both side of the NVR.

HM241 Teardown
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There’s plenty of space to leave space for the hard drive. While the box is opened let’s check out the board itself.

Hi3536D NVR Board
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The board is apparently based on Hisilicon Hi3536D Cortex-A7 processor that can handle up to 4x 1080p H.265/H.264 encoding/decoding at up to 20 fps. In case you want to access the serial console, there are two UART headers, one of the bottom left, and the other close to the SATA port, and I suppose at least one is working…

HM241 NVR HDD Installation
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The hard drive installation is pretty easy. First, connect the two SATA cable to your 3.5″ hard drive, then place the hard drive on the left side making it touch with the case, and hold it with your hand, while turning the NVR upside down…

HM241 NVR HDD Screws

… in order to tighten the four HDD mounting screws which are provided with the kit. Place the top cover back in place, and you’re good to go.

HeimVision HM241 Camera Teardown

Usually, I don’t open waterproofed devices, since a teardown may negatively affect their waterproofness. But since I was nicely asked, and I have four cameras to play with, I opened one. There are three rubber pads on the back of the camera that can be removed, and then I was able to loosen three screws to open the device easily.

HeimVision HM241 Camera Teardown
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There are two boards. One board with the IR sensors for night vision, and the camera board. The top of the latter board includes the lense and RTL8201F 10/100M Ethernet PHYceiver.

HeimVision HM241 Camera Sensor
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The main chip is Anyka AK3918 ARM9 processor that was launched many years ago, and for instance, found in SinoVoIP BPI D1 board launched in 2014. WiFi is handled by 8188FTV 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n module

ANYKA AK3918 Board
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Interestingly, there’s a silica gel bag inside the camera to keep everything dry.

Security Camera Silica GEL

What’s next?

Next, I’ll have to install some UK sockets close to where I plan to install the cameras, then attach the cameras to the wall, after having configured WiFi, and made sure we can get the video signals displayed via the NVR either via a monitor connected to the device, a PC web browser or the mobile app.

Continue reading “HeimVision HM241 NVR Review – Part 2: Installation Tips, Video Interface, Android App“.

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11 Comments
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kprasadvnsi
4 years ago

You haven’t teardown the camera. What sensor it is using?

Tade
Tade
4 years ago

Can you please write the number of the wifi card on the board?

dgp
dgp
4 years ago

For what it’s worth TP-LINK have some similar devices like this https://www.tp-link.com.cn/product_1497.html#tag
The chip in those has a leaked kernel 4.9 so they should be easy to get running on mainline. They have some with a 4 port poe switch built in too. I’m thinking they’d be useful for powering and running tftp/nfs for stuff like LoRaWAN gateways.

Pat
Pat
3 years ago

I am very confused how the cameras are powered once mounted on the walls. Do you need to plug them with a wire in an outlet? Or are they battery operated?

Thxs a lot

Pat

Cliff
Cliff
2 years ago

Have you tried using the HM241 with a PTZ camera, besides the CA01 camera included?

Khadas VIM4 SBC