Dahua 8 Channel Compact 1U 1HDD WizSense Digital Video Recorder - XVR5108HS-4KL-I3

DVR — coax only

Records analogue cameras over coaxial cable. The older technology, still perfectly serviceable, but it cannot accept IP cameras at all. If you have one of these and want to add a network camera, you need to change the recorder.

NVR — network cable only

Records IP cameras over Cat5e or Cat6, usually with PoE built in so one cable carries data and power. Excellent on a new install where you are running cable anyway — but it cannot use existing coax, so an upgrade means rewiring the whole property.

XVR — both, at the same time

Records high-definition cameras over existing coax and IP cameras over the network, simultaneously. This is what lets you upgrade an old system without rewiring, and add network cameras later on the positions where new cable is easy to run.

Records Over Existing Coax

Supports HDCVI, AHD, TVI and CVBS inputs, which covers essentially every analogue camera format in circulation. That means the cable already running through your walls stays where it is — you change the cameras and the recorder, and skip the rewiring entirely.

Full-Channel SMD Plus

Human and vehicle classification across all eight analogue channels. This is the feature that matters most on an upgrade — it is what turns an old system that alerted on every possum and every branch into one that only tells you when a person or vehicle is actually there. AI over coax, with no new cable.

IP Camera Support Up to 8MP

Alongside the analogue channels, the recorder accepts IP cameras at up to 8MP each with 128 Mbps of incoming bandwidth. So you can keep the existing coax positions running and add network cameras on the spots where pulling new cable is straightforward — a staged upgrade rather than an all-at-once rebuild.

Perimeter Protection

Two channels of tripwire and intrusion detection with human and vehicle classification. Draw a line across a gate or a zone around a yard and be alerted only when a classified target crosses it — available on analogue channels, which is unusual and genuinely useful on an older system.

Face Recognition

Two channels of human face recognition for applications such as staff or resident identification at an entry point. Note that facial recognition carries specific privacy obligations in Australia — see the buyer tips before enabling it in a commercial or public-facing setting.

H.265+ Compression

H.265+ and H.265 dual-stream compression, which compresses substantially harder than the H.264 used by older recorders. On an upgrade this often means noticeably longer retention on the same size drive than the system you are replacing achieved.

IoT and POS Integration

POS integration overlays point-of-sale transaction data onto the video, so a till transaction can be matched directly to the footage of it happening. For retail and hospitality this is one of the genuinely useful commercial features and it is rare at this price point.

Compact 1U, Single Drive Bay

A small chassis sized to sit in a comms cabinet, on a shelf or in a lockable cupboard — often in exactly the spot the old DVR came out of. One internal drive bay, and the unit ships bare so you choose capacity to match the retention you need.

Straightforward Replacement

On a coax upgrade this generally drops into the position the old recorder occupied, using the same BNC connections. The cameras change, the recorder changes, the cabling and the mounting points stay. That is what makes an XVR upgrade a morning's work rather than a multi-day job.

Replacing an Ageing DVR System

The clearest case. A system installed eight or ten years ago still has perfectly good cable in the walls, but the picture is dated and the motion alerts are useless. Swap the cameras and the recorder over the existing coax and you get high-definition footage and working AI classification without opening a single wall.

Buildings That Are Difficult to Rewire

Double brick, rendered walls, heritage buildings, concrete construction, properties with no accessible roof void. On these sites running new cable is genuinely difficult and sometimes not permitted at all — and using the cable that is already there stops being a cost saving and becomes the only practical option.

Retail and Hospitality With POS

POS integration overlays till transaction data directly onto the video, so a specific transaction can be matched to the footage of it happening. For investigating discrepancies, refund disputes or shrinkage at the counter, that link between data and vision is considerably more useful than either on its own.

Staged Upgrades on a Budget

Because it handles both cable types, you can move at whatever pace suits. Keep the existing coax cameras running now, replace them progressively, and add IP cameras on the positions where new cable is easy. The recorder stays the same throughout rather than needing replacement halfway through the transition.

Choose this model if…

• Your property already has coax cabling to existing camera positions.
• Rewiring would be expensive, disruptive or not permitted.
• You want AI human and vehicle classification on an older system.
• You want to upgrade progressively rather than all at once.
• You need POS integration for a retail or hospitality site.
• You are in leased premises and would rather not alter the building.

Choose a different model if…

• You are wiring a property from scratch. An NVR with Cat6 is the better long-term platform and the built-in PoE simplifies the install considerably.
• You want built-in PoE. This has none — cameras need separate power or a separate switch.
• Your existing coax is in poor condition. Bad cable will limit what any recorder can achieve — check first.
• You are running all IP cameras. A dedicated NVR does that job better.
• You need more than eight channels, or expect to within a year.
• You need months of retention or drive redundancy. This has one bay.

What is the difference between an XVR, a DVR and an NVR?

A DVR records analogue cameras over coax only. An NVR records IP cameras over network cable only, usually with PoE built in. An XVR does both simultaneously, which is what lets you upgrade an existing coax system to high definition without rewiring, and add IP cameras later. If you are cabling a property from scratch, buy an NVR. If the cable is already in the walls, an XVR is the answer.

Can I really keep my old cable?

In most cases yes, and it is the entire reason to buy this recorder. The coax running to your existing analogue cameras will carry modern high-definition video. What matters is the condition of that cable — sound RG59 or RG6, terminated properly, without dubious joins in the roof. Very long or poor-quality runs can limit what you achieve. If you are unsure, test one position first or send us photos of the cable and connections.

Does it have PoE like an NVR?

No, and this is the most important practical difference to understand. An XVR does not power your cameras. Analogue cameras need their own 12 V power supply at each position or from a central distribution box — which is usually already in place on an existing system. Any IP cameras you add need a separate PoE switch. Neither is difficult, but both need budgeting for, and neither is included.

Will my existing analogue cameras work with it?

It supports HDCVI, AHD, TVI and CVBS, which covers essentially every analogue format in circulation, so most existing cameras will record. What they will not deliver is the picture quality or the AI features — an old standard-definition camera on a new recorder is still an old standard-definition camera. The upgrade that actually changes things is new HD cameras on the existing cable, and that is where the SMD Plus classification comes from too.

Can it really do AI on analogue cameras?

Yes — full-channel SMD Plus across all eight analogue channels, plus two channels of perimeter protection and two of face recognition. This is the genuinely notable part of this recorder. Human and vehicle classification over coax means an older system can get modern, credible alerts without any new cable. Pair it with compatible Dahua HDCVI cameras to get the full benefit.

Can I mix analogue and IP cameras?

Yes, and that is one of the main advantages. Keep the existing coax positions running while adding IP cameras on the spots where new cable is straightforward — a side gate near the switchboard, a garage with an easy route. It lets you upgrade progressively instead of doing everything at once. Tell us your coax count and planned IP cameras and we will confirm the configuration works.

Does it come with a hard drive?

No. It ships with an empty bay, so you will need a drive before it can record. Use a surveillance-rated drive such as WD Purple or Seagate SkyHawk. If you are replacing an old DVR, do not reuse its drive — it has already done years of continuous writing and is closer to failure than you would like. We stock surveillance drives and can supply the recorder with one fitted.

What does the POS integration actually do?

It overlays point-of-sale transaction data onto the recorded video, so a specific till transaction can be matched directly to the footage of it happening. For investigating refund discrepancies, voided sales or counter shrinkage, being able to search the transaction and go straight to the vision is considerably more useful than reviewing either separately. Setup depends on your POS system, so check with us about compatibility.

Should I use the face recognition?

Think carefully first. Facial recognition data is biometric information under the Australian Privacy Act, and using it in a commercial or public-facing setting brings notification, consent and data-handling obligations that ordinary CCTV does not — several Australian businesses have faced regulatory action over exactly this. For most upgrades, SMD Plus and perimeter protection deliver the practical benefit without the compliance burden.

How long will footage be kept before it overwrites?

It depends on camera count, resolution, frame rate and how much movement the cameras see. H.265+ compression helps considerably — on an upgrade you will often get noticeably longer retention on the same drive size than the old system managed. If you need a specific retention period, such as the 30 days many insurers ask for, tell us the camera spec and we will size the drive properly.

Where can I buy it and what support is included?

Available from Total Security Equipment online and across both showrooms, with Australia-wide shipping. We stock compatible Dahua HDCVI and IP cameras, surveillance drives, power supplies and accessories, and can supply the recorder with a drive already fitted. Trade accounts and volume pricing are available for installers, and our team can help plan a coax upgrade before you commit to it.

Melbourne HQ

26 Davies Ave., Sunshine North, VIC 3020
03 9079 5566

Sydney Branch

38 Lisbon St., Fairfield East, NSW 2165
02 8722 0348

Ordering & Support

• Australia-wide shipping
• Ships without a hard drive — surveillance drives in stock
• We can fit the drive before shipping on request
• Compatible HDCVI and IP cameras, power supplies available
• Trade accounts and volume pricing
• Phone support on planning a coax upgrade
• Download Spec Sheet