How to Delete Recordings on Your Recorder
DVR4-4480G, DVR4-4480RN, DVR4-4480V, DVR4-4580G, DVR4-4580RN, DVR4-4580V, DVR4-4680, DVR4-4680RN, DVR4-4685, DVR4-4685RN, DVR4-4780V, DVR4-4980V, DVR4-5580, DVR4-5580G, DVR4-5580RN, DVR4-5680, DVR4-5680RN, DVR8-4480G, DVR8-4480RN, DVR8-4480V, DVR8-4580G, DVR8-4580RN, DVR8-4580V, DVR8-4680, DVR8-4680A, DVR8-4680RN, DVR8-4685, DVR8-4685RN, DVR8-4780V, DVR8-4880RN, DVR8-4980, DVR8-5580, DVR8-5580A, DVR8-5580G, DVR8-5580RN, DVR8-5580RU, DVR8-5680, DVR8-5680A, DVR8-5680RN, DVR8-5680RU, DVR8-5880RU, DVR16-4580G, DVR16-4580RN, DVR16-4580V, DVR16-4680, DVR16-4680A, DVR16-4680RN, DVR16-4680RU, DVR16-4880RU, DVR16-4980, DVR16-5580, DVR16-5580G, DVR16-5580G2, DVR16-5580RU, NVR8-8580, NVR8-8580RN, NVR8-8780, NVR8-8780RN, NVR16-8580, NVR16-8580RN, NVR16-8780, NVR16-8780RN, NVW-650, NVW-800, NVW-MR4K, DVR4-4680XN, DVR4-4680XU, DVR4-5680XN, DVR8-4680X, DVR8-4680XN, DVR8-4680XU, DVR8-5680X, DVR8-5680XU, NVR8-ADVANX, NVR16-ADVANX
By default, the DVR or NVR is set to overwrite the oldest recordings in its hard drive once it has reached its maximum storage capacity.
There is no way to delete a single recording file individually in the hard drive - This article will explain why: Understanding Recording Management: Ensuring Integrity and Security
To delete recordings, wait for the overwrite feature to automatically delete the recording after several days, or format the hard drive. We do NOT recommend formatting the hard drive using a computer. It must be done from the recorder via TV and mouse.
- Go to Setup > Device (side) > HDD (tab).
- Check the box below No. and beside the detected HDD.
- Click on Format HDD. (Warning: This will erase all and any recordings.
We recommend you Export recordings to a USB (Swann Security) prior to format if you do not want to lose any recordings)
NOTE1: Formatting will not erase the Swann firmware.
NOTE2: If an event was not recorded, if the event was recorded over by a newer one due to limited storage capacity, or if the hard drive was formatted, Swann Technical Support has no means of retrieving nor recovering such recordings as recordings were either never recorded or were stored locally in your hard drive. See Why does my DVR / NVR / camera stop recording motion after a minute?