A practical recording hub for your home or small business
The ANNKE N98PBK connects up to eight IP cameras, supplies power through eight built-in PoE ports and records supported streams up to 12MP. Its HDMI output displays up to 4K. One internal SATA bay accepts a surveillance hard drive up to 8TB, sold separately.
Choose this recorder when you want a straightforward wired CCTV system with local recording and ANNKE Vision remote viewing. Match cameras to the areas you need to cover, then choose storage around the amount of footage you need to keep.
Key features at a glance
Eight channels and eight PoE ports. A suitable Ethernet cable carries video and power to each compatible camera.
Recording up to 12MP. Camera resolution, frame rate and bitrate must fit the recorder's supported limits.
4K HDMI and 1080p VGA. Connect a suitable TV or monitor for local viewing and playback.
H.265+ support. Use compatible camera encoding settings to manage storage and bandwidth; results depend on the scene and settings.
Human and vehicle detection support. Available functions depend on the connected cameras, firmware and channel configuration.
Local recording and remote access. Add a suitable HDD for recording and a router connection for ANNKE Vision access away from the property.
Why should you buy the ANNKE N98PBK?
It combines the recorder and camera power connections in one unit, making an eight-camera installation easier to organise and troubleshoot. It is a cost-conscious choice for a house, small shop or office where one hard-drive bay is sufficient. HawkVision Pro brings approximately ten years of practical CCTV installation experience to product selection and compatibility advice.
If you need more than eight cameras, choose a recorder with more channels. If longer retention requires two drives, compare the ANNKE ANP800 with dual HDD bays before ordering.
Recommended ANNKE PoE cameras for the ANNKE N98PBK
The six ANNKE cameras below are practical pairing options for standard IP video, live view and recording with the ANNKE N98PBK, within the recorder’s published resolution, channel and bandwidth limits. The N98PBK has eight camera channels and eight built-in PoE ports. Match the combined camera power demand to the recorder power budget and keep total incoming video traffic within 80 Mbps.
These combinations are recommended from HawkVision Pro’s practical installation experience and the requirements customers most often bring us. Choosing suitable ANNKE cameras keeps the setup and support workflow consistent. We distinguish our directly tested I91DS pairing from other recommendations based on published specifications.
HawkVision Pro First ChoiceFeatured 4K PoE cameraDirectly tested with N98PBK
Our first-choice 4K camera for an excellent balance of native image detail, useful deterrence features and value. The I91DS is a popular choice with installers and customers who want dependable 4K evidence without moving to a much higher price tier.
Native 3840 × 2160 4K/8MP video
AI human and vehicle detection
Smart Dual Light, siren and strobe deterrence
Two-way audio, PoE and IP67 outdoor protection
To see the full 4K detail: use a compatible 4K television or monitor and select a supported 4K output setting on the recorder. A lower-resolution display cannot show all the detail captured by an 8MP camera.
Recommended for standard IP video, live view and recording within this recorder’s published resolution and bandwidth limits. Camera-side AI, two-way audio, siren, strobe and Smart Dual Light controls can depend on recorder model, firmware and channel settings.
8MP panoramic image, seamless 180° dual-lens view, Smart Dual Light, human and vehicle detection, active deterrence, two-way audio and up to 512GB microSD storage.
3K 5MP video, Smart Dual Light, human and vehicle detection, two-way audio, sound and light deterrence, IP67 protection and up to 512GB microSD storage.
3K video, 340° pan and 110° tilt range, F1.0 colour night imaging, two-way audio, H.265+, IP66 protection and up to 256GB microSD storage.
Important compatibility definition: standard video recording compatibility does not automatically guarantee every advanced camera feature on every recorder. Two-way audio, camera-side AI/smart events, active deterrence, white-light controls, panoramic display and PT control may depend on the NVR firmware and channel configuration. Contact HawkVision Pro before ordering if any of these functions is essential.
Which cable gives the most reliable PoE connection?
Use genuine solid-copper Cat6 cable, correctly terminated and tested. Avoid CCA cable. A standard Ethernet channel is normally limited to 100 metres end to end; for outdoor routes use a suitable outdoor-rated cable and weatherproof the RJ45 connection.
Why are these pairings recommended?
These cameras offer different coverage, resolution and audio options for an ANNKE IP system. Select a supported stream format and frame rate for each channel, then check the combined bitrate, simultaneous playback requirements and PoE load. The N98PBK records up to eight cameras in total, including cameras connected through a separate network switch.
Complete the system with suitable storage and cabling
Choose one surveillance hard drive
The N98PBK has one SATA bay. Choose a drive within its supported capacity and check the exact drive model against your recorder revision. A surveillance drive is designed for continuous video workloads; its label alone does not diagnose a recording fault.
A 3.5-inch SATA surveillance drive for a system with a moderate retention requirement. Check the recording estimate below against your actual camera settings.
More capacity in the same single drive bay when you need to retain footage for longer at the same combined bitrate.
How many days of recording will a hard drive hold?
As an illustration, eight cameras recording continuously at an average 4 Mbps each produce about 345.6 GB of video per day. Before formatting, audio and other overheads, a 4TB drive would hold about 11.6 days and a 6TB drive about 17.4 days. Actual retention varies with bitrate, activity, frame rate, compression and recording schedule. These are planning estimates, not guaranteed retention periods.
PoE, networking and cable choice
For fixed camera runs, use genuine solid-copper Cat5e or Cat6 cable, suitable for the route and correctly terminated. We recommend solid-copper Cat6 for new installations. Copper-clad aluminium (CCA), damaged conductors and poor terminations can increase resistance and disrupt power or data. Copper cabling still needs correct sizing, installation and testing.
Keep a standard Ethernet channel within 100 metres end to end, including patch leads. Follow the cable manufacturer's bend-radius and pulling limits. Use outdoor-rated cable where exposed and protect RJ45 connections from moisture. Choose a junction box or bracket that fits the exact camera; check its mounting pattern and environmental rating.
A separate PoE switch can place compatible cameras elsewhere on the network, but it does not increase the N98PBK's eight-channel limit. Check both the per-port allowance and total available PoE power, including night lighting and other peak loads. For a cable or switch recommendation, use our CCTV technical support service with your camera models and cable lengths.
Plan the video bandwidth and display
The published incoming bandwidth is 80 Mbps. For example, eight streams at 6 Mbps total 48 Mbps before other traffic. Allow headroom and check the actual stream settings. Recording capacity, simultaneous decoding and HDMI display resolution are separate limits.
Viewing full 4K detail: use a compatible 4K TV or monitor, a suitable HDMI connection and a supported 4K output setting. View a camera full screen to inspect its detail. A multi-camera grid shares the display pixels between views, and a 4K display cannot show a complete 12MP image pixel for pixel.
ANNKE N98PBK technical specifications
Recorder specifications and system limits
IP camera channels
Up to 8 in total
Built-in PoE connections
8 ports; IEEE 802.3af/at
Supported recording resolution
Up to 12MP with compatible camera streams
Local video output
HDMI up to 3840 × 2160; VGA up to 1920 × 1080
Video formats
H.265+, H.265, H.264+ and H.264
Incoming / outgoing bandwidth
80 / 80 Mbps
Hard-drive bay
1 SATA interface; up to 8TB for the listed version; HDD sold separately
LAN connection
1 × RJ45 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
Other connections
2 × USB 2.0; 1 RCA audio input and 1 RCA audio output
Power input
48V DC; use the specified recorder power adaptor
Smart functions
Human/vehicle and supported camera-event functions depend on camera, firmware and channel configuration
Remote viewing
ANNKE Vision with a correctly configured network connection
ANNKE's UK listing contains specifications for more than one revision. When adding equipment to an existing recorder, check its model label and firmware, particularly storage and simultaneous playback limits. View ANNKE's UK recorder information.
What to check before ordering
The number of cameras now and after any planned expansion.
Each camera's stream resolution, codec, bitrate and required smart or audio functions.
The combined PoE load and the condition and length of each cable run.
The HDD model, supported capacity and required recording period.
A suitable monitor connection and wired router connection if remote viewing is required.
What you are buying
This listing is for the N98PBK recorder without a surveillance HDD. Cameras, a monitor and camera-run cabling are purchased separately. Confirm the supplied adaptor, mouse and accessory leads with us if your installation depends on a particular accessory being included.
UK delivery, warranty and support
HawkVision Pro is a Sheffield-based ANNKE Authorised Sales Partner. We provide practical advice before purchase and help with setup and compatibility afterwards. Warranty coverage follows the stated product terms; ask us to confirm any requirement before ordering.
Check the current stock status and delivery option at checkout. If a next-working-day DPD delivery is essential, contact us first to confirm dispatch and destination eligibility. Delivery charges and terms are shown in our shipping policy. Collection in Sheffield is available by prior confirmed appointment. See our returns policy or contact HawkVision Pro for help.
N98PBK setup and troubleshooting FAQs
Can the N98PBK record without an internet connection?
A correctly configured local system can record compatible connected cameras to its installed HDD without internet access. Remote viewing away from the property and internet-dependent services need a working connection. Check the local recording schedule and playback after setup.
Can I connect more than eight cameras using a PoE switch?
No. A switch provides additional network or power connections, but the N98PBK still has eight recording channels. Choose a recorder with more channels if your planned system exceeds eight cameras.
Will third-party ONVIF cameras support every feature?
A supported third-party IP camera may provide a video stream, but audio, smart events and control functions require separate checks. Verify the exact model, firmware, protocol, credentials and stream settings before purchase. ONVIF compatibility alone is not a guarantee of every ANNKE smart function.
Why is my PoE camera dropping offline, especially at night?
Start by checking the NVR channel status and camera power requirements. Increased night-lighting demand can expose a marginal power or cable connection, but network or camera faults can also cause disconnections. Test one affected camera on a short known-good copper cable and a suitable working PoE port, then compare the result.
Can damaged cable, CCA or loose keystone connections cause an offline camera?
Yes. Excessive pulling, tight bends, broken conductors, CCA cable and loose or poorly terminated RJ45 or keystone contacts can disrupt PoE power and data. Inspect for moisture and physical damage, including rodent damage. Replace damaged sections and retest. A basic continuity tester does not establish that a cable will deliver PoE reliably under load.
Why does the NVR not recognise my hard drive?
Check the drive model and capacity, disk status and recorder power supply. With the recorder powered off and unplugged, a competent installer can check the SATA data and power connections. Initialise a new uninitialised drive through the storage menu only after confirming there is no footage to keep. Formatting erases data; back up required recordings first.
Why can I see live video but find no recordings?
Check that the HDD is detected and healthy, the channel has an enabled recording schedule and the system date and time are correct. For event recording, confirm that the event rule and recording linkage are enabled. Review overwrite settings when the disk becomes full.
Does 4K HDMI output mean all eight cameras play back at 4K together?
No. HDMI output resolution describes the display signal. Recording resolution and simultaneous decoding capacity are separate. Use a supported view layout and stream combination for the recorder revision, and open a single camera full screen when checking image detail.
Will H.265+ always halve storage use?
No fixed saving applies to every installation. The camera must support and use suitable encoding settings, and the recorder must support the stream. Motion, lighting, noise, frame rate and bitrate affect storage use. Set image quality for the evidence you need, then estimate retention from the measured bitrate.
Can an ordinary NVR detect fire or measure temperature?
The N98PBK does not itself sense smoke or temperature. Specialist cameras provide those capabilities, and any required event integration needs confirmation for the exact camera and firmware. CCTV analytics supplement appropriate fire-safety equipment; they do not replace it.
