Dahua Penta-brid Recorders Explained

One recorder for old and new cameras.

Penta-brid is Dahua's name for a recorder that takes five camera types on the same channel: HDCVI, HD-TVI, AHD, analogue (CVBS) and IP.

So you can upgrade an old analogue system one camera at a time. Old and new run on one recorder, and you don't have to replace everything at once. We stock Dahua Penta-brid XVR and HCVR recorders from 4 to 32+ channels.

On this page: What Penta-brid means · Choosing channels & resolution · Dahua recorders we stock · FAQs

What does "Penta-brid" mean?

Most CCTV recorders work with one type of camera signal. A Dahua Penta-brid XVR or HCVR recorder spots the type for you and takes five on the same channel:

HDCVI
HD-TVI
AHD
plain analogue (CVBS)
IP cameras over the network

So if your site has older analogue cameras, you can add new HDCVI or IP cameras to the same recorder. Everything that still works can stay.

How do I choose channels and resolution?

Channels: one per camera, with room to grow. If you might add cameras, go for the bigger size.
Maximum resolution: check the recorder handles your cameras' resolution. If not, it records less detail than the camera sees.
PoE ports: some models power IP cameras down the network cable (PoE). Coax cameras (HDCVI/TVI/AHD/analogue) still need their own 12V supply.
Drive bays: more bays and bigger drives keep footage for longer before old recordings are written over.

Which Dahua Penta-brid recorders do you stock?

Dahua DHI-XVR5104HE-S2: 4 channel Penta-brid 1080P mini 1U DVR
Dahua DHI-XVR5108HE-S2: 8 channel Penta-brid 1080P mini 1U DVR
Dahua DHI-XVR5116HE-S2: 16 channel Penta-brid 1080P mini 1U DVR
Dahua DHI-XVR5108HS-4KL-X: 8 channel Penta-brid 4K compact 1U DVR

Need a larger recorder with AI features? See our WizMind NVR range.

See everything: all CCTV recorders · all Dahua products.

Questions

What does Penta-brid mean?

A Penta-brid recorder accepts five different camera signal types on the same channel: HDCVI, HD-TVI, AHD, analogue (CVBS) and IP. It replaces having a separate recorder for each camera type.

How many channels do I need?

One channel per camera, with some spare if you might add cameras later. Dahua Penta-brid recorders in our range run from 4-channel mini units up to 32-channel and larger, so buy the size that covers your camera count with room to grow.

Does the recorder power the cameras?

Only on the built-in PoE ports of an IP-capable model, and only for IP cameras. HDCVI, HD-TVI, AHD and analogue cameras need their own 12V power supply — the recorder does not power them over coax.

Can I view the recorder remotely?

Yes, once the recorder has a network connection, using Dahua's free mobile app. There is no monthly subscription for local recording and remote viewing.

Need help choosing? Contact us, visit our Wolverhampton trade counter, or call us on 01902 902251.