Hilook Remote Viewing Setup guide and General usage information | Serious Security Sydney & Melbourne

Hilook Remote Viewing Setup guide and General usage information

ASSUMPTIONS BEFORE YOU BEGIN

  1. A HiLook by Hikvision NVR is installed (e.g. 4-channel or 8-channel HiLook NVR).

  2. HiLook IP cameras are physically installed and connected.

  3. Cameras are already:

    • Powered via PoE from the NVR or

    • Powered and networked correctly via a PoE switch.

  4. Live camera images are already visible on a monitor connected to the NVR.

  5. A USB mouse is connected to the NVR.

  6. A hard drive is installed in the NVR and the system is recording.

  7. The NVR  is connected to the internet via an Ethernet cable to a router/modem.  (from the LAN port to the modem)

1️⃣ Part A — Set Up Remote Viewing (HiLookVision App)

Step 1 – Connect the NVR to the Internet

  1. Plug the NVR into your modem/router using a network cable.

  2. On the NVR screen, go to:
    Menu → Configuration → Network → General

  3. Ensure DHCP = Enabled (this lets your router assign an IP automatically).

  4. Press Apply.

Step 2 – Enable the Hik-Connect / Platform Access

  1. Go to:
    Menu → System → Network → Platform Access

  2. Tick Enable.

  3. The status should become Online within 10–20 seconds.

    • If it shows Offline, check your internet cable and restart the NVR.

  4. Find the QR Code on this screen — you’ll scan this in the app.

Step 3 – Install the Mobile App

  1. Search HiLookVision on:

    • Apple App Store (iPhone)

    • Google Play Store (Android)

  2. Install and open the app.

  3. Create or log in to a Hik-Connect Account. NOTE – the first account you connect to the NVR will be the ADMINISTRATOR account, so you may wish to consider the email you use. Want multiple users, view how to share with others below:

Step 4 – Add Your NVR to the App

  1. Tap “+ Add Device”.

  2. Choose Scan QR Code.

  3. Scan the QR code shown on your NVR’s “Platform Access” screen.

  4. Name your system (e.g., “Home CCTV”).

  5. Tap Finish.

Your cameras will now appear under Live View.

2️⃣ Part B — How to Watch Live View (Mobile App)

  1. Open Hik Connect for End Users.

  2. Tap your system name.

  3. Select the camera you want to view.

  4. Rotate your phone sideways for full-screen.

Tips:

  • Tap the screen once to show zoom, snapshot and record buttons.

  • Tap the speaker icon if audio is supported.

3️⃣ Part C — How to Review Footage on the NVR (Playback)

Step 1 – Open Playback

  1. On the NVR, right-click the mouse.

  2. Select Playback.

Step 2 – Select the Camera & Time

  1. Tick the camera(s) on the left.

  2. Pick a date on the calendar.

  3. Use the timeline bar to choose a time.

    • Blue = normal recording

    • Red = motion recording (if enabled)

Step 3 – Control the Playback

  • Play / Pause

  • Fast-forward (2×, 4×, 8×)

  • Zoom in on timeline using the mouse wheel

  • Clip tool (scissors icon) to mark the start & end of a section you want to save

4️⃣ Part D — How to Copy Footage to USB

Step 1 – Insert a USB Stick

  • Plug your USB into the NVR’s USB port (front or back).

  • A message may pop up saying USB Detected — click OK.

Step 2 – Go to Export Menu

  1. Right-click the mouse → Menu

  2. Choose Export

  3. Select Normal Video (or Event Video for motion-only clips)

Step 3 – Select the Footage

  1. Pick:

    • Camera

    • Date

    • Start Time

    • End Time

  2. Click Search.

  3. Tick the video(s) you want to export.

Step 4 – Export to USB

  1. Click Export.

  2. Choose the USB drive as the destination.

  3. Select format:

    • MP4 (easy to play on any computer)

  4. Click OK / Start.

A progress bar will appear.
When complete, safely remove the USB.

5️⃣ Part E — How to Play Back Exported Footage on a Computer

  1. Plug the USB into your computer.

  2. Open the folder containing the MP4 files.

  3. Double-click to play in:

    • VLC Player

    • Windows Media Player

    • Mac QuickTime

If you exported with the optional HiLook player, open the player first, then load the file.

6️⃣ Part F — Common Issues & Quick Fixes

Problem Fix
App says Offline Check modem connection → NVR Network → DHCP Enabled → reboot
Remote view slow or pixelated In the app, switch to “Fluent” (lower resolution)
No playback showing Check if recording is enabled: Menu → Storage → Schedule
QR code won’t scan Increase screen brightness or manually enter serial number

 

HOW TO SHARE ACCESS TO OTHER USERS

Hik-Connect: Log In & Share Device Access with Other Users

(Assumes Hik-Connect is already set up with 1 × Admin user)

This process is done from a web browser and allows the Admin to safely add or remove user access at any time (for example, when employees join or leave).

What this web panel is for (important)

The www.hik-connect.com portal allows the Admin user to:

  • Share camera/NVR access with staff or family

  • Control who can view live video and playback

  • Instantly remove access when an employee leaves

  • Avoid sharing the main admin password

This is the recommended way to manage multi-user access.

Step 1 – Open Hik-Connect Website

  1. Open a web browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari)

  2. Go to:
    https://www.hik-connect.com

Step 2 – Log In as the Admin

  1. Click Log In

  2. Enter the Admin Hik-Connect email/username

  3. Enter the Admin password

  4. Complete verification if prompted (email or app confirmation)

✅ You are now logged in as the system owner / admin

Step 3 – Go to Device Management

  1. From the top menu, click Device Management

  2. You will see your NVR or cameras listed
    (Status should show Online)

Step 4 – Open the Sharing / User Management Page

  1. Click on the device name (NVR)

  2. Select Sharing or Shared Users
    (wording may vary slightly depending on region)

This is where all shared users are managed.

Step 5 – Add a New User (Employee / Family Member)

  1. Click Add User or Share Device

  2. Enter the email address of the person you want to share with
    (they must create their own Hik-Connect account first)

  3. Select permissions:

    • ✅ Live View

    • ✅ Playback (recommended for staff)

    • ❌ Configuration (leave OFF unless trusted technician)

  4. Click Confirm / Share

📩 The user will receive an invitation by email.

Step 6 – What the New User Does

The new user must:

  1. Create a free Hik-Connect account

  2. Accept the shared device invitation

  3. Log in via:

They will only see devices shared with them.

Step 7 – Remove Access When an Employee Leaves (Very Important)

When a staff member leaves:

  1. Log back into www.hik-connect.com

  2. Go to Device Management

  3. Open the device → Shared Users

  4. Click Remove / Unshare next to that user

  5. Confirm removal

🚫 Access is revoked immediately
🚫 No password changes required
🚫 No downtime to the system

This is why sharing users (not passwords) is best practice.

Best-Practice Security Notes

  • ❌ Do NOT share the admin password

  • ✅ Each person should have their own Hik-Connect login

  • ✅ Remove access as soon as staff leave

  • ✅ Keep admin access limited to owners or managers only

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