The fastest way to clear stuck video connections is a simple reboot. Navigate to the main on your NVR or DVR. Select Shutdown , then click Reboot .
Hardware chips can only decode a fixed number of megapixels at one time. For example, an entry-level NVR might decode four 1080p streams simultaneously, but only one 4K stream.
Playback of multiple channels requires reading interleaved data fragments from different H.264/H.265 files. If the drive is fragmented or the SATA interface is saturated (e.g., SATA II vs. SATA III), the recorder’s firmware imposes a to prevent video loss or recording failure. The error can appear prematurely if disk I/O latency exceeds a threshold.
Main streams deliver maximum resolution (e.g., 4K or 4MP) and require massive decoding resources. Sub streams run at lower resolutions (e.g., D1 or 720p) and consume a fraction of the processing power.
To confirm the exact limit for your device: The fastest way to clear stuck video connections
This allows you to scrub through footage for individual cameras without taxing the system to sync all frames across multiple channels. 4. Adjust the iVMS-4200 Settings (PC Users)
Create custom views that only show essential cameras in playback.
Access the recorder's configuration page via a web browser or local monitor. Go to or Record > Parameters . Locate the Substream or Playback settings.
Instead of using a single administrator login across all devices, create distinct user accounts. Navigate to > System > User Management . Create dedicated operator accounts for secondary users. Hardware chips can only decode a fixed number
The error message means your Hikvision security system has hit its hard limit for streaming recorded video.
: The video quality is too high for the recorder's chip to play back multiple channels at once.
This will immediately force all "ghost" viewing sessions to close. 2. Change the Playback Resolution
By default, playback often tries to pull the "Main Stream" (highest quality). Go to . Select Sub-Stream for playback instead of Main Stream. If the drive is fragmented or the SATA
Make sure the server IP address is correct for your region.
Troubleshooting Hikvision: "Maximum Number of Channels Under Playback Reached" Error
However, for current hardware, the limit is a physical wall. Trying to hack the firmware to remove it will void your warranty and likely crash the NVR due to RAM overflow.
If you manage a large system (32+ cameras), you will encounter this issue more frequently. To avoid it:
High bitrates and ultra-high-definition video consume excessive decoding resources.