Installing a Hard Drive for a VMAX IP Plus

Installing a Hard Drive for a VMAX® IP Plus™

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Affected Roles:  Administrator, Owner

Complexity:  Medium

Last Edit:  October 14, 2022

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Hard Drive Storage

The VMAX® IP Plus™ allows users to monitor live camera video and archive footage to a local storage drive.  This internally installed hard drive permits users to store and review previously recorded footage, regardless of Internet connection status.

If you have purchased a VMAX® IP Plus™ without a hard drive, this article will explain how to install a new hard drive into the VMAX® IP Plus™ recording unit.

**NOTE:  If you are trying to troubleshoot a recording issue, please read Troubleshooting Recording Errors for a VMAX IP Plus.

**NOTE:  If you are replacing a hard drive, please read Replacing A Hard Drive For A VMAX IP Plus.

DISCLAIMER:  Digital Watchdog will not be liable for the loss of data or consequential damages (including without limitation, damage to recording media) resulting from this process.

Supported/Affected Devices:

• VMAX® IP Plus™ Series

Installing the Drive:

Prior to adding the hard drive, make sure that you are using an approved hard drive model.

VMAX IP Plus & VMAX A1 Plus
(DW-VP16xT16P, DW-VP12xT8P, DW-VP9xT4P, DW-VA1P16xT, DW-VA1P8xT, DW-VA1P4xT)
HDD Part Number	Storage Capacity	Hard Drive Description
HDSG-ST1000VX005	1 TB	Seagate SkyHawk 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5"
HDSG-ST2000VX015	2 TB	Seagate SkyHawk 2TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5"
HDSG-ST3000VX015	3 TB	Seagate SkyHawk 3TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"
HDSG-ST4000VX016	4 TB	Seagate SkyHawk 4TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"
HDSG-ST6000VX001	6 TB	Seagate SkyHawk 6TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"
HDSG-ST8000VE001	8 TB	Seagate SkyHawk 8TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"
HDSG-ST10000VE001	10 TB	Seagate SkyHawk 10TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"
HDSG-ST12000VE001	12 TB	Seagate Skyhawk 12TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"
HDSG-ST16000VE002	16 TB	Seagate Skyhawk 16TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"

Adding the Hard Drive

To install the hard drive:

1. Confirm that the NVR is completely powered off.  There should be no LED lights illuminated on the front panel of the NVR.  If there is still power connected to the unit, soft-shutdown or disconnect the power cable from the NVR.

**NOTE:  For a soft-shutdown, press the power button on the front of the unit, then select Shutdown on the screen.  Alternatively, if you are currently logged in at the NVR, click on the power icon on the toolbar at the bottom of the screen while in Live View, then select Shutdown.

2. Remove the three screws from the back panel of the NVR, then remove the top cover of the unit.

3. Attach the power supply cable and SATA cable to the new hard drive.

4. Carefully place a hand on the hard drive and hold it in place, then turn the NVR over.  From the underside of the unit, insert four mounting screws to secure the hard drive to the inside of the NVR.

5. Replace the top cover of the unit.  Replace the four screws at the back panel of the NVR to secure the top cover.

6. Connect the NVR’s power cable and power the unit on.

7. Log in as the Administrator, right-click with the mouse, and select Menu to open the system’s Setup Menu.

8. Navigate the menu to the Hard Drive menu (System > HDD).  The Hard Drive menu should display your new hard drive’s model, capacity, and free space. 

Prior to use, it is recommended to format the hard drive.

9.   To format the hard drive, check the box next to the HDD name then click the Format button. 

A confirmation message will appear, asking you to confirm if you wish to proceed.  Confirm the message and allow the NVR to format your new hard drive.  The progress bar at the bottom of the menu shows you the status of the format.

10.  Once the hard drive is done formatting, a confirmation message will appear.  Confirm the message and reboot the NVR.  Once the NVR is done rebooting, you may use your VMAX® IP Plus™ normally.

**NOTE:  If the NVR experiences recording issues or does not detect the new hard drive, power the unit off and confirm that the power supply cable and SATA cable are securely connected to the hard drive.