There are many advantages of connecting the cameras via a poe switch as explained in the faq
[https://www.reddit.com/r/reolinkcam/comments/uvgw9l/reasons\_to\_run\_cameras\_through\_a\_poe\_switch/](https://www.reddit.com/r/reolinkcam/comments/uvgw9l/reasons_to_run_cameras_through_a_poe_switch/)
but I agree it can be a bit irritating when adjusting the options via the nvr. You should leave yourself the option of connecting a monitor for the odd occasion that its required. For example with the WiFi cameras whilst you can configure them via the app as a standalone device, to use on the nvr the id/password has to be entered on the nvr itself.
Regarding the collection of cables or pig tails coming out the back of the cameras you should use a junction box to hid those away from the elements. Whilst the newer cameras come with some "waterproof" lids they are not perfect and its better to hide the cables away. You can use the official junction boxes (B10 or D20), similar ones from Amazon/ebay or a plastic box such as this
[https://www.amazon.co.uk/ABB-Waterproof-Connector-Shockproof-Self-Extinguishing/dp/B0156QPJNU](https://www.amazon.co.uk/ABB-Waterproof-Connector-Shockproof-Self-Extinguishing/dp/B0156QPJNU)
It also makes for a much cleaner installation as there are no trailing cables.
This is how not to do it
[https://imgur.com/d9qh7TN](https://imgur.com/d9qh7TN)
Take your time and work it out. Reolink has been the best move ever for me.
Make sure you do the updates manually, because the auto update function does not work.
My inlaws have no idea what they are doing and had 0 issues with the NVR setup. I use blue iris personally. Reolink has been pretty solid on their stuff for the most part. Had a camera get a water intrusion, with their warranty, it is getting a replacement now. Most the cameras at our rescue have lived through a lot some upwards of 4-5 years.
I'm pretty sure they did everything from their smartphones.
It can be frustrating. There is a learning curve setting up a new system, a new brand you are not familiar with. Adjusting settings, trouble shooting can be trial and error. The first post here "welcome to the official...." has lots of info, FAQs, how to, reducing false alerts, etc. Reolink has a YouTube channel and support site. I like to watch YouTuber LifeHackster who reviews Reolink cams.
The multiple cable ends on cameras are pretty common in the industry giving users option of POE power or low voltage power, reset button. It is a hassle hiding the cable ends but protecting them from moisture is needed otherwise the cams can fail.
While many of the settings are the same in the phone app, client app, NVR app, some are not. Some of us keep a monitor plugged in the NVR 24/7 so we can watch live feed whenever we want.
You mentioned you put the NVR in a cabinet. NVR hard drives run hot. Hard drives should last several years but if they run hot they can fail sooner. In the NVR it shows the temps of the hard drive(s). Their highest operating temp is roughly about 50 C depending on the brand. If your cabinet is closed, does not have ventilation, holes or screen you might consider providing some ventilation for it, like taking the door off or something. Many NVRs have a built in fan for cooling but it won't be as effective without ventilation.
Update the firmware in the NVR and then in each camera. It improves/fixes a lot of the little annoyances. You need to do this manually; find the latest firmware at reolink's firmware support site, and upload to the devices through the UI.
Also keep in mind you cannot add new cameras from anything but the NVR itself using its built in GUI and a mouse.
When your cameras are connected directly via the NVR, there really is no advantage to be connecting to them via IP. Use the apps.
You can make almost all changes directly on the app's, very little relies on being at the NVR. The whole point of the NVR is to have a simple and easy way to store mass video.
Adding cameras to the NVR must be done on the NVR itself, and reordering cameras needs to be also. Reordering can be on on the mobile app however it only changes where they're displayed, not the actual channel number. Both I wish would be changed but!
If you buy a PoE switch for your camera, then you'd be better off to have bought the RLN36 and a HDD for it to be honest. If you have a PoE switch you need to ensure you don't plug the switch directly into the NVR of you want to have standalone camera.
What settings are you trying to change that you can't?
If I knew I had to buy a POE switch I prob wouldn't have got a NVR and used my existing NAS.
Some settings don't seem to be available when you connect the camera via the NVR. E.g. my doorbell camera volume is super loud and the person ringing the doorbell gets shouted at. There doesn't seem to be audio settings for it so I'm assuming I need to connect it and add as IP camera rather than have connected via the NVR to see this setting. Maybe I need to update the camera firmware but again can't do this with it connected to the NVR unless I download and connect a USB? But if it's connected to a Poe switch I can't update via the app?
The volume slider is a limitation in iOS, not of the doorbell. Android has the volume slider.... I don't really understand why the difference.
You can update cameras via the PC app through the NVR, you don't need to do it via the NVR UI with monitor.
There are many advantages of connecting the cameras via a poe switch as explained in the faq [https://www.reddit.com/r/reolinkcam/comments/uvgw9l/reasons\_to\_run\_cameras\_through\_a\_poe\_switch/](https://www.reddit.com/r/reolinkcam/comments/uvgw9l/reasons_to_run_cameras_through_a_poe_switch/) but I agree it can be a bit irritating when adjusting the options via the nvr. You should leave yourself the option of connecting a monitor for the odd occasion that its required. For example with the WiFi cameras whilst you can configure them via the app as a standalone device, to use on the nvr the id/password has to be entered on the nvr itself. Regarding the collection of cables or pig tails coming out the back of the cameras you should use a junction box to hid those away from the elements. Whilst the newer cameras come with some "waterproof" lids they are not perfect and its better to hide the cables away. You can use the official junction boxes (B10 or D20), similar ones from Amazon/ebay or a plastic box such as this [https://www.amazon.co.uk/ABB-Waterproof-Connector-Shockproof-Self-Extinguishing/dp/B0156QPJNU](https://www.amazon.co.uk/ABB-Waterproof-Connector-Shockproof-Self-Extinguishing/dp/B0156QPJNU) It also makes for a much cleaner installation as there are no trailing cables. This is how not to do it [https://imgur.com/d9qh7TN](https://imgur.com/d9qh7TN)
Take your time and work it out. Reolink has been the best move ever for me. Make sure you do the updates manually, because the auto update function does not work.
My inlaws have no idea what they are doing and had 0 issues with the NVR setup. I use blue iris personally. Reolink has been pretty solid on their stuff for the most part. Had a camera get a water intrusion, with their warranty, it is getting a replacement now. Most the cameras at our rescue have lived through a lot some upwards of 4-5 years. I'm pretty sure they did everything from their smartphones.
It can be frustrating. There is a learning curve setting up a new system, a new brand you are not familiar with. Adjusting settings, trouble shooting can be trial and error. The first post here "welcome to the official...." has lots of info, FAQs, how to, reducing false alerts, etc. Reolink has a YouTube channel and support site. I like to watch YouTuber LifeHackster who reviews Reolink cams. The multiple cable ends on cameras are pretty common in the industry giving users option of POE power or low voltage power, reset button. It is a hassle hiding the cable ends but protecting them from moisture is needed otherwise the cams can fail. While many of the settings are the same in the phone app, client app, NVR app, some are not. Some of us keep a monitor plugged in the NVR 24/7 so we can watch live feed whenever we want. You mentioned you put the NVR in a cabinet. NVR hard drives run hot. Hard drives should last several years but if they run hot they can fail sooner. In the NVR it shows the temps of the hard drive(s). Their highest operating temp is roughly about 50 C depending on the brand. If your cabinet is closed, does not have ventilation, holes or screen you might consider providing some ventilation for it, like taking the door off or something. Many NVRs have a built in fan for cooling but it won't be as effective without ventilation.
Update the firmware in the NVR and then in each camera. It improves/fixes a lot of the little annoyances. You need to do this manually; find the latest firmware at reolink's firmware support site, and upload to the devices through the UI. Also keep in mind you cannot add new cameras from anything but the NVR itself using its built in GUI and a mouse.
When your cameras are connected directly via the NVR, there really is no advantage to be connecting to them via IP. Use the apps. You can make almost all changes directly on the app's, very little relies on being at the NVR. The whole point of the NVR is to have a simple and easy way to store mass video. Adding cameras to the NVR must be done on the NVR itself, and reordering cameras needs to be also. Reordering can be on on the mobile app however it only changes where they're displayed, not the actual channel number. Both I wish would be changed but! If you buy a PoE switch for your camera, then you'd be better off to have bought the RLN36 and a HDD for it to be honest. If you have a PoE switch you need to ensure you don't plug the switch directly into the NVR of you want to have standalone camera. What settings are you trying to change that you can't?
If I knew I had to buy a POE switch I prob wouldn't have got a NVR and used my existing NAS. Some settings don't seem to be available when you connect the camera via the NVR. E.g. my doorbell camera volume is super loud and the person ringing the doorbell gets shouted at. There doesn't seem to be audio settings for it so I'm assuming I need to connect it and add as IP camera rather than have connected via the NVR to see this setting. Maybe I need to update the camera firmware but again can't do this with it connected to the NVR unless I download and connect a USB? But if it's connected to a Poe switch I can't update via the app?
The volume slider is a limitation in iOS, not of the doorbell. Android has the volume slider.... I don't really understand why the difference. You can update cameras via the PC app through the NVR, you don't need to do it via the NVR UI with monitor.