All digital video recorders (DVR) and network video recorders (NVR) use their own proprietary format for recording onto a hard drive; they also record in a continuous loop, continually erasing the oldest portion of footage. This means that when you need evidence back, time matters. We can recover all types of CCTV evidence from these devices (deleted, formatted, overwritten or lost to a failed drive), within our office.
Both DVRs and NVRs continue to record constantly and will erase the oldest footage as they do. Every hour that you allow them to operate is another hour that potentially evidentiary footage is being overwritten. When you discover that you require an image/footage, turn off the recorder immediately, remove the drive, and do not allow it to continue operating. Do not attempt to format, repair or “fix” the drive.
Evidence is lost from a DVR/NVR in many different ways. However, the most common reason for this type of loss is simply that time runs against you. These are generally the reasons that we have the most experience with.
We are able to recover footage from virtually every major type of recorder/drive, including standalone DVR/NVR recorders and the hard drives inside those recorders.
Independent DVRs & NVRs; Hikvision, Dahua, Swann & OEM DVR/NVRs; hard drives (surveillance grade & standard); internal/external.
All video from the DVR will reside in a proprietary format stored on the DVR's drive. Therefore, we image the drive for use with parsing or carving out the video from a backup copy, thereby allowing us to isolate the camera views and a specific date/time range needed, while never having to write to the original source.
Simply let us know the make/model of the DVR, how the failure occurred, as well as the cameras, dates/times needed. Once this information is provided, we are able to determine what can be recovered and provide a written quote.
We take a read-only image of the DVR's drive and perform our recovery efforts using only that copy of data; therefore we do not modify or overwrite any information on the original source.
In the event of a physical failure of the DVR's hard drive we are able to repair/stabilise it before reading it. This includes heads, board and/or firmware issues.
We parse your own DVR files (i.e. your DVR's file system), or directly carve your video streams from the DVR raw data when the DVR index has been lost.
We extract your requested channels, as well as time frame, and all other possible recoverable information if needed.
We verify the recovered video will play, and if necessary, convert it into a standard format so you can easily view it yourself.
You receive your recovered video on new media (or by using our no-cost download option for up to 75 GB).
We have restored CCTV and DVR/NVR footage after deletion and formatting of digital files and from a broken recorder drive. We restore CCTV and DVR/NVR footage by taking proprietary formats apart and extracting video from a read-only image and providing you with the ability to replay the recovered file.
Please provide an explanation of how things went wrong and one of our engineers will contact you, usually by the end of the next working day.
We will get back to you soon. If it is urgent, call 028 9002 0144.
The initial diagnostic will be provided for free. Then you will receive a fixed written quote for the work that needs to be done prior to commencing on any work. The cost of recovering footage from a working recorder or camera SD card starts from £400 + VAT; failed and RAID recorders have their quotes made after completing the free diagnostic.
Examples of recoverable footage from CCTV and DVR / NVR systems including various types of systems, and successful outcome examples; customer privacy is maintained in all cases.
The system was stopped in time which is why the footage wasn't overwritten. We then took an image of the drive, parsed the format and pulled the correct time range.
The heads had failed but fortunately the platter remained. We swapped them and made an image of the drive and recovered the recorded files.
The file indexes had disappeared but the videos themselves survived. We then carved out the video stream and reconstructed a playable clip for each recording.
What our customers have said about us after recovering their CCTV, DVR & NVR recordings.
Don't worry, there are no fake reviews here! As soon as we get a new verified, named review from one of our clients based in Belfast, we'll add it to this page. Until then, please don't hesitate to give us a call and speak directly with an engineer at 028 9002 0144 for any further information regarding your specific issue.
Send or drop off your item for a free diagnostic check with a description of the issue. One of our engineers will review the item, then provide you a written quote prior to doing any repairs.
Prior to sending or dropping off your device for a diagnostic test (free), obtain a quotation from us via telephone or using the provided form. Step one: get the device to our Belfast bench. Carefully wrap the device and include your contact information inside the parcel. Then send it over. There is no charge for this diagnostic service. Once we receive it, you will be given a firm written price to confirm whether you wish to go ahead, before any work is done.
Sending it? The use of a tracked, insured delivery method would be recommended. Alternatively, dropping it off can also be done Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm; no prior booking required but do ensure that all items are packed accordingly.
Still waiting to send something? Please complete the form describing the failure/fault in your own words and one of our engineers will get back to you with a quotation based upon your individual circumstances.
We will get back to you soon. If it is urgent, call 028 9002 0144.
Most commonly asked questions we get about recovering CCTV, DVR & NVR recordings.
Yes, most likely, providing the recorder hasn't already overwritten it. When a recording is deleted, it does free up some space, however, the footage remains stored on the drive until the next item is recorded over it. To keep this from happening, the best thing to do is to immediately stop the recorder and pull the drive when you know what happened. This prevents the new recording from writing over the old one.
Once the "loop" has completely rewritten the footage, that particular piece of footage is lost forever. That is why time is so very important. If only a portion of the time frame had been over-written, we should be able to retrieve the remaining footage. We always recommend assessing what you have.
Yes. A DVR (Digital Video Recorder) or NVR (Network Video Recorder) drive fails just like any other hard drive: it clicks, doesn't show up, or is dead. We recover them exactly the same way, by fixing the physical issue with the hardware and then by creating an image of the footage off of the failed unit.
Normally only the internal hard drive from within your recorder. This is all we require to recover the footage. Most local shops will also be happy to extract it for you in no more than a few minutes if you don't want to remove it yourself. We cannot accept entire recorders into our facility.
Yes, please let us know what cameras, dates and times you are looking for and we will target that specific area of footage to return to you in a format that allows you to view it directly without needing the original recorder.
If you’re able to power on a working recorder, or you’re able to remove an SD card from a camera, then footage recovery will start from £400 + VAT, including a complimentary diagnostic, and in most cases, you’ll only be charged if we’ve recovered your data. Recordings from dead recorders or those using RAID technology will be priced after a diagnostic is completed, and the price will always be agreed upon in advance by written agreement.
Bring it into our Belfast office during regular business hours Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm, or send it via post. Ensure the package is fully insured. Seal the drive or entire unit and make sure it includes your contact information and what type of footage you require so we may schedule it and provide a quotation based on our complimentary diagnostic.
DVRs and NVRs write over existing recordings until the end of the loop, which means that recovering recordings typically becomes a time-sensitive operation against the clock. Power it down immediately. Remove the drive. Send it in. Complimentary diagnostic, and in most cases you won't be required to pay unless we successfully recover your data.