Adding IP Cameras to an Octavue NVR (auto + manual) & Fixing "Won't Connect" - EN

Knowledge Base article · Applies to Octavue OV NVR recorders

Quick add (search & add)

Go to Main Menu → Channel / IP Camera.
Click Search to scan for cameras on the same network.
Select the cameras you want and click Add.
Enter each camera's user name and password — or tick Connect with default password to use the activation password.
The camera comes online on its channel.

To add every unassigned camera on the LAN automatically, enable Automatic Camera Addition. To fix several cameras' addressing at once, select them and click Batch IP Modification.

Manual add (external switch, remote, or 3rd-party)

Use this when the camera is on a separate switch, a different subnet, or isn't found by Search.

On the IP Camera page, click the + (Add) icon to open IP Camera Add.
Enter:
- IP Address / Domain — the camera's address
- Alias — a friendly name
- Port — the camera's port
- Protocol — Private (Octavue), ONVIF, or RTSP
- User Name / Password (or tick Connect with default password)
- Channel Binding — the channel to attach it to
- Camera Mode — select from the drop-down
Click OK / Add.

Activation & default password

New Octavue cameras must be activated before they stream. In IP Camera → Advanced Setup (enter the device password) → Default Password, set the password used for Private/ONVIF/RTSP, or tick "Use the admin password as camera activation / connection password." With that ticked, the Private protocol activates and connects the camera using the recorder's admin password — the smoothest path for GSD cameras.

PoE-model recorders: channel priority

On PoE NVRs, plugging a camera into a PoE port whose channel already has a manually added camera can conflict. In Advanced Setup, set Priority of PoE Channels:

PoE channel is preferred — the PoE camera replaces the manually added one.
Manual addition is preferred — the manually added camera is kept.
If neither is set, the NVR asks you to confirm each time.

Cameras on an external (non-PoE) switch: add them manually by IP — don't expect them on the PoE ports. Make sure they're in the recorder's IP range and not blocked by the switch.

Recover channels removed by mistake

If online cameras were deleted or dropped after a reboot/hardware swap, use Advanced Setup → Restore IP Channel Connection to re-add the original online cameras to all channels in one action.

Troubleshooting "won't connect"

Symptom	Likely cause / fix
Camera not detected by Search	On a different subnet or external switch — add manually by IP, or align the IP range (Batch IP Modification).
Added but no video / error	Wrong password — re-enter, or tick Connect with default password; confirm the Protocol (Private/ONVIF/RTSP).
"PoE limit" error but cameras are on an external switch	The PoE budget applies to PoE ports only — external cameras should be manual/IP, not counted as PoE.
Bitrate error when adding	Lower the camera's stream bitrate/resolution to within the NVR's per-channel limit.
Only connects via ONVIF, not full features	Activate/connect with the Private protocol for full control; ONVIF is a fallback.
Cameras drop after a reboot or need the password re-entered	Use Restore IP Channel Connection; verify the camera keeps a static IP and the activation password matches.
All cameras stopped after adding one / power failure	Check for an IP conflict or PoE overload; reboot the NVR, then Restore IP Channel Connection.
Swapped the NVR — old cameras won't reconnect	Set the same IP range and default/activation password, then Search/Restore; add 3rd-party cams manually.

Need help? GSD Support · +1-866-791-7020 (option 5, or ext. 2055) · help@gsdgroupinc.com