Lorex N843 Series Quick Setup Guide
Physical setup of recorder and essential system settings
Model: N843 Series
Initial Setup Steps
Follow the steps below to complete the initial setup of your recorder.
STEP 1: Connect cameras*
Test your cameras prior to selecting a permanent mounting location by temporarily connecting the cameras and cables to your NVR using one of the following 2 methods:
- Connect cameras directly to the recorder (recommended).
- Connect cameras to a PoE switch or router on your network (not included).
Visual representation shows two connection methods: a direct connection from cameras to the NVR's PoE ports, and a connection from cameras to a PoE switch/router, which is then connected to the NVR. An 'OR' symbol separates the two methods.
? NOTE: It may take up to 1 minute for cameras to start up and transmit video to your recorder. This guide covers connecting IP cameras to your security recorder only. For full instructions on installing your cameras, please refer to your camera's documentation at lorex.com. Connecting cameras to a router, or a network switch without PoE, requires a power adapter for each camera. Refer to your camera's documentation at lorex.com for the correct power adapter model number.
STEP 2: Connect router*
Connect the recorder to your router using the included Ethernet cable.
?Router
?Ethernet Cable
?️NVR
Visual representation shows an Ethernet cable connecting a router to the NVR.
? NOTE: If you are using a PoE switch, ensure the switch is connected to the same network as your recorder. To receive automatic firmware updates and enable remote viewing with mobile apps, a high-speed Internet connection is required (minimum upload speed of 5Mbps required for 4K viewing; 3.5Mbps for lower resolutions). All other system features can be used without an Internet connection.
STEP 3: Connect mouse
Connect the included mouse to a USB port on the recorder.
?️USB Mouse
?️NVR
Visual representation shows a USB mouse connected to a USB port on the NVR.
STEP 4: Connect monitor*
Connect the recorder to a monitor using the included HDMI cable or a VGA cable (not included). The HDMI port supports up to 4K resolution, and VGA supports up to 1080p.
?️Monitor
?HDMI/VGA Cable
?️NVR
⚠️ IMPORTANT: To optimize picture quality, set the recorder's video output to match the resolution of your monitor. See the section Changing the Recorder's Output Resolution for details.
STEP 5: Connect power
Use the included power adapter to connect the recorder to a nearby outlet.
?Power Adapter
⚡Outlet
?️NVR
Visual representation shows the power adapter connecting the NVR to a wall outlet.
STEP 6: Lorex Setup Wizard
When you first power up your recorder, the Lorex Setup Wizard will begin. The Wizard will help you configure core system settings. You will also create a secure password. For future reference, it is recommended that you record your password here:
Record your password below and store in a secure place:
Visual representation shows the initial screen of the Lorex Setup Wizard, indicating steps like Local Setup and Network Setup.
Package Contents
The following items are included in the package:
- 4K Ultra HD Security NVR
- Power Adapter
- Ethernet Cable
- USB Mouse
- HDMI Cable
Visual representation displays the NVR, power adapter, Ethernet cable, USB mouse, and HDMI cable. Dimensions are shown: NVR is 12.8" (324mm) wide, 9.6" (245mm) deep, and 2.4" (60mm) high.
Overview of extra ports:
Audio In/Out: Connect microphone / speaker*
? NOTE: For full instructions on using the extra ports, please refer to your security recorder's instruction manual at lorex.com.
Need Help?
Visit us online for up-to-date software and complete instruction manuals:
- Visit lorex.com
- Search for the model number of your product
- Click on your product in the search results
- Click on the Downloads tab
Visual representation shows the Lorex website homepage with search bar and navigation elements, guiding users to find product information and downloads.
Using the Mouse
- During split-screen display mode: Click an individual channel to view in full-screen. Click again to return to the split-screen display mode.
- While navigating menus: Click to open a menu option.
- During live view: Click anywhere on the screen to open the Quick Menu.
- While navigating menus: Click to exit menus.
- During live view: Use the scroll wheel to zoom in / out.
? NOTE: In live view, hover the mouse cursor over the top of the screen to open the Navigation Bar. Move the mouse cursor away from the top of the screen to close the Navigation Bar.
Using the Quick Menu
Right-click anywhere on the live viewing screen to open the Quick Menu. The Quick Menu provides access to the following functions:
- a. Open Main Menu.
- b. Search and play back recordings.
- c. Filter through recorded video when searching.
- d. Control PTZ cameras (not included).
- e. Select camera/live display view.
- f. Add IP cameras over the LAN.
- g. Open manual recording controls.
- h. Preview faces detected in Live View.*
- i. Control auto focus cameras (not included).
- j. Adjust camera color and image settings.
- k. View system information.
- l. Start/stop sequence mode.
- m. Temporarily disable all current audible warnings.
* Compatible with select cameras only. Visit lorex.com/compatibility for details.
Adding Cameras from the LAN
Follow the steps below to add cameras that are not directly connected to the Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports on the back of the recorder.
? NOTE: Please visit lorex.com/compatibility for a list of compatible Lorex IP cameras.
To add cameras from the LAN:
- Connect the camera to a router or switch on the same network as the recorder.
- Right-click and select Camera. If prompted, log in using the system user name (default: admin) and your new, secure password.
- Configure the following:
- a. Click Camera Registration.
- b. Check the camera(s) you would like to add.
- c. Click Add. The status indicator turns green to show the camera is successfully connected.
- d. The added device(s) will appear in the Added Device list. Right-click to exit to live view.
? NOTE: If the icon in the Status column appears red, there may be a password issue with the camera. Select the camera and click Reconnect IPC.
Visual representation shows the Camera Registration interface with fields for IP Address, Unit Type, Status, and a list of cameras to add.
Playback and Search
Search through and play video recordings from the hard drive.
To search for and play recordings:
- From live view, right-click and then click Playback. If prompted, log in using the system user name (default: admin) and your new, secure password.
- Configure the following:
- a. Use the calendar on the right to select the date to playback.
- b. Check channels you want to play back. Click the grey icon beside each selected channel to select Mainstream (M) or Substream (S) video quality.
- c. Click inside the video bar to select the playback time. Playback starts immediately at the selected time.
Visual representation shows the Playback interface with a calendar, channel selection, and a timeline for selecting playback time.
Backup
Back up recordings from the hard drive to a USB flash drive (not included).
To back up recordings:
- Insert a USB flash drive (not included) into a free USB port on the recorder.
- From live view, right-click and then click Main Menu. If prompted, log in using the system user name (default: admin) and your new, secure password.
- Select BACKUP.
- Configure the following:
- a. Select the channel(s) to search by.
- b. Select the type and quality of recordings to search for.
- c. Select a Start Time and End Time for your search.
- d. Choose a file format for your backed up files.
- e. Click Search to see recordings that match your search.
- f. Check boxes next to recordings you want to back up, then click Backup. You may also click Onekey Backup to back up all files that match your search.
Visual representation shows the Backup interface with options for channel selection, recording type, time range, file format, and a list of recordings to back up.
Smart Motion Detection & Deterrence Settings
Configure smart motion detection and/or active deterrence settings. For a complete list of compatible cameras, navigate to your recorder series at lorex.com/compatibility.
To configure smart motion detection or active deterrence:
- In live view, right-click and click Main Menu. If prompted, log in using the system user name (default: admin) and your new, secure password.
- Select EVENTS, then click Motion on the far left.
- In the Smd/Deterrence tab, configure the following:
Option 1: Smart Motion Detection Cameras
For cameras with person and vehicle detection:
- a. Select the channel of a connected camera with person and vehicle detection.
- b. Check Enable underneath Person and/or Vehicle.
- c. Click Set next to Area to set active areas for person and/or vehicle detection. See Figure 1 below for details.
- d. Click Set next to Schedule to set a weekly schedule for person and/or vehicle detection. See Figure 2 below for details.
- e. Set preferences for the warning light and siren.
- f. Click Apply.
Figure 1: Detection Area: Visual representation shows a camera feed with a grid overlay. Users can click and drag to define an active detection area (green box). Options to check 'Light' for warning light activation are also shown. It advises setting areas where objects of interest will move.
Figure 2: Schedule: Visual representation shows a weekly schedule interface. The default schedule is active during the night (5pm-7am). Users can click 'Set' to change the schedule for each day.
Option 2: Active Deterrence Cameras
For cameras with active deterrence features:
- a. Select the channel of a connected deterrence camera.
- b. Check Enable.
- c. Click Set next to Area to set active areas for person and/or vehicle detection. See Figure 3 below for details.
- d. Click Set next to Schedule to set a weekly schedule for person and/or vehicle detection. See Figure 2 above for details.
- e. Set preferences for the warning light and siren.
- f. Set Sensitivity and Threshold levels to your preference.
- g. Click Apply.
Figure 3: Deterrence Area: Visual representation shows a camera feed with a grid overlay. A green area indicates the active deterrence zone. Users can click or drag to add/remove boxes. An example shows motion around a doorway triggering the warning light.
To set off all connected deterrence cameras' warning lights and sirens, press and hold the front panel button for 3 seconds.
Changing the Recorder's Output Resolution
To ensure the best possible picture quality, set the recorder's output resolution to match the highest resolution supported by your monitor.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: If you need to switch the monitor, make sure you set the recorder to an output resolution supported by the new monitor before switching.
To change the recorder's output resolution:
- From live view, right-click and then click Main Menu. If prompted, log in using the system user name (default: admin) and your new, secure password.
- Click Display, then configure the following:
- a. Set Resolution to match the highest resolution supported by your monitor. For example, select 3840×2160 for 4K monitors, or 1920×1080 for 1080p.
- b. Click Apply. The recorder will restart before changes take effect.
Visual representation shows the Display settings menu with options for Resolution, Transparency, Time Display, etc. The Resolution dropdown is highlighted.
