Vendor: Hikvision

Hikvision DS-96256NXI-I24/S – 256-Channel 4U 24-Bay AI-Powered Network Video Recorder

SKU: DS-96256NXI-I24/S
Description

The Hikvision DS-96256NXI-I24/S is a 256-channel 4U Ultra Series network video recorder with twenty-four hot-swap drive bays and a redundant power supply, built for large campuses, multi-site businesses and critical infrastructure. It runs AI analytics including facial recognition and perimeter protection, takes 768 Mbps of incoming bandwidth, and uses H.265+ compression. It has no built-in PoE and ships without hard drives.

At a glance
- 256 IP channels; 768 Mbps incoming bandwidth; H.265+/H.264+ compression
- AI analytics: facial recognition and perimeter protection
- 24 hot-swap SATA bays; configurable RAID for data redundancy
- Redundant power supply; 4U rack-mount chassis
- No built-in PoE (cameras via external switch); supplied with no HDD

Regular price $13,192.00 AUD Sale price $13,192.00 AUD Regular price $14,000.00 AUD
Sale 5.77% $808.00 AUD (5.77%)
Bulk Price$12,400.48 AUD
Save $791.52 AUD. 6% off $1,500+ · Auto at checkout
Delivery, warranty & returns · 3-year warranty · shipped from Australian stock
  • Tracked delivery on every order. The tracking number is emailed as soon as it ships.
  • Metro delivery: 2–4 business days. Regional areas may take longer. Free standard shipping over $300, flat $25 under.
  • 3-year warranty on cameras and recorders, back-to-base, plus your Australian Consumer Law rights.
  • 30-day returns on unopened items. Faulty on arrival? We cover return shipping.
  • Genuine Australian stock. Never grey imports. Prices include GST.
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In stock
Optional extras Accessories & upgrades Complete setup from $13,562.00

Choose optional additions for this product. Check each item for compatibility with your setup.

Select hard drive · 4TB ≈ 2-3 weeks for 4 cameras recording 24/7
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Bundle total: $13,192.00
Bulk Price$12,400.48 6% off orders over $1,500 — applied automatically at checkout.

01Overview

What the DS-96256NXI-I24/S is

The Hikvision DS-96256NXI-I24/S is a 256-channel 4U network video recorder with twenty-four hot-swap drive bays and a redundant power supply, made for large-scale Australian deployments such as campuses, multi-site enterprises and critical infrastructure.

It connects up to 256 IP cameras with 768 Mbps of incoming bandwidth and runs AI analytics including facial recognition and perimeter protection to focus alerts on real people and vehicles. H.265+/H.264+ compression keeps storage and bandwidth in check, and the twenty-four hot-swap SATA bays can be configured in a RAID array for data redundancy on a system this size.

This is a back-end recorder with no built-in PoE, so cameras are powered from separate switches, and it is supplied without hard drives so you can size storage to your retention. A redundant power supply keeps recording continuous if one supply or circuit fails, and the 4U chassis suits a server-room rack.

02Engineering

DS-96256NXI-I24/S specifications

- Connects up to 256 IP camera channels with 768 Mbps incoming bandwidth for very large systems.

- AI-powered analytics including facial recognition and perimeter protection to filter false alarms and focus on real human or vehicle events.

- Twenty-four hot-swap SATA bays that can be configured in a RAID array for data redundancy.

- Redundant power supply design keeps recording continuous if one supply or circuit fails.

- H.265+/H.264+ compression cuts storage and bandwidth costs while keeping image quality.

- 4U rack-mount chassis with full ONVIF support for third-party cameras and VMS; no built-in PoE (cameras via external switch).

04Why choose this

Built for the way you actually use the DS-96256NXI-I24/S

Built for 256 cameras

One recorder centralises a very large camera fleet across a campus, precinct or multi-site business, instead of running several smaller NVRs.

Scalable, protected storage

Twenty-four hot-swap bays can be configured as a RAID array, so storage scales as the system grows and a drive can be replaced without powering down.

Always-on power

A redundant power supply means a single supply or circuit fault will not stop recording, which matters on mission-critical sites.

AI that cuts noise

On-board facial recognition and perimeter protection focus alerts on real people and vehicles, reducing nuisance alarms across hundreds of cameras.

05Where it fits

Right at home in these scenarios

Campuses and multi-site business

Centralise cameras from many buildings or branches into one 4U recorder with watch-list face alerts.

Critical infrastructure

Power, water and transport sites where redundant power and RAID-protected storage keep footage intact.

Smart-city and council

Aggregate street, junction and public-space cameras with perimeter analytics at scale.

Large logistics and industrial

Protect yards, docks and plant across a big site from a single control room.

06Setup

Installation & setup

  1. In the box

    DS-96256NXI-I24/S recorder, power cables, mouse and rack-mount hardware. Hard drives are not included.

  2. Storage and RAID

    Fit up to twenty-four surveillance or enterprise SATA drives, then configure a RAID array for redundancy. Drives are hot-swappable for maintenance.

  3. Powering cameras

    This recorder has no built-in PoE. Power all cameras from separate switches sized to a 256-camera system, then add them over the network.

  4. Power and mounting

    Connect the redundant power supplies to separate circuits where possible, and install in a 4U rack with strong front-to-rear airflow.

08Questions

Frequently asked about the DS-96256NXI-I24/S

Q.01

How many cameras can the DS-96256NXI-I24/S record?

Up to 256 IP cameras, with 768 Mbps of incoming bandwidth, on a 4U rack-mount chassis.
Q.02

Does it come with hard drives?

No. It is supplied without hard drives. It has twenty-four hot-swap SATA bays, so you fit surveillance or enterprise drives sized to your retention.
Q.03

Does this NVR have built-in PoE ports?

No. It is a back-end recorder, so cameras are powered from separate switches and added over the network.
Q.04

What AI does it run?

AI-powered analytics including facial recognition and perimeter protection, which filter false alarms and focus on real people and vehicles.
Q.05

Does it have redundant power?

Yes. It has a redundant power supply design, so recording continues if one supply or circuit fails.
Q.06

Can I configure RAID for data protection?

Yes. The twenty-four hot-swap bays can be configured in a RAID array for redundancy; please confirm the exact RAID levels you need with us before ordering.
Q.07

What compression does it use?

H.265+/H.264+, which cut storage and bandwidth costs while keeping image quality across hundreds of cameras.
Q.08

How is it different from the DS-96256NXI-S24R?

Both are 256-channel 24-bay recorders. The S24R is the newer S-platform with 8K output, recorder-side AcuSearch and higher bandwidth, while this I24/S is the earlier I-platform unit.

Buying from Smarket

Is your Hikvision, Dahua, HiLook and TP-Link VIGI stock genuine Australian stock?

Yes, 100%. Every Hikvision, Dahua, HiLook and TP-Link VIGI product we sell is a genuine Australian-market model sourced through Australian supply chains — never grey imports. That means factory-sealed units, Australian-region firmware that works with the official apps out of the box, and a full 3-year local warranty.

How long does delivery take?

Metro delivery usually takes 2–4 business days after dispatch, and regional areas may take longer. You'll receive a tracking number by email as soon as your order leaves the warehouse.

How much is shipping?

Standard shipping is free on all orders over $300 AUD, Australia-wide. Orders under $300 ship at a flat rate of $25, calculated at checkout. Tracking is included on every order.

What warranty do you offer?

All cameras, NVRs and DVRs come with a 3-year back-to-base manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Hard drives and accessories are covered as set out in our Warranty Policy.

What is your return policy?

You have 30 days from the day you receive your order to request a change-of-mind return. Items must be unopened, factory-sealed and in resalable condition. A 15% restocking fee applies and return postage is at your cost. Faulty or incorrectly supplied items are different: we cover the return shipping and refund or replace at no charge. Read the full Return & Refund Policy.

Do you offer installation?

We can connect you with licensed installers in Sydney and Melbourne. Installation typically starts from around $200 per camera depending on cable runs and site conditions. Email sales@smarket.com.au with your address and camera count for a quote.

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10Bundles

Recommended packages

01

Build the storage array

Populate the 24 bays with surveillance drives such as a 10TB drive, 8TB drive or 6TB drive sized to your retention target.

03

Want recorder-side AcuSense and 8K?

The newer DS-96256NXI-S24R offers on-board AcuSense, RAID and 8K output on the same 256-channel scale.

04

Fewer channels needed?

For a 128-channel AcuSense platform, see the DS-96128NXI-S16R.