Extracting Footage from an ExNVR Disk Without Metadata

When you only have the disk from an ExNVR, the standard NVR folder structure and metadata (used to organize devices, dates, and times) are missing. You’ll need to work directly with the raw MP4 files.

To connect the disk, see the tutorial here: Accessing Files on the Evercam HDDs

1. Understanding the Folder Structure

On the disk, files are organized by date and device ID.

/media/ex_nvr/ex_nvr/<device-id>/hi_quality/<year>/<month>/<day>/<hour>/<files.mp4>

Example:

/media/ex_nvr/ex_nvr/9549d1fb-dc34-4fe1-9228-16c1dac6c3eb/hi_quality/2025/11/04/10/1762250403462139.mp4

Inside, you’ll find MP4 segments (~1 minute each):

1762250403462139.mp4 1762250467463274.mp4 1762250531453694.mp4 ...

Each file represents a small time slice of video (1 minute). The filenames encode timestamps, but without the NVR, you don’t have a “folder timeline” for easy playback.

2. Copying Files for a Specific period

Navigate to the day folder, example:
/media/ex_nvr/ex_nvr/<device-id>/hi_quality/2025/11/04/

Notes:
- On Linux, use cp -r or a file manager.
- On Mac, use ext4fuse to read the disk.
- On Windows, use Ext2Read to access EXT4 disk.
  - Reference: Accessing Files on the Evercam HDDs

3. Merging MP4 Segments into One File

Since each MP4 is a short segment, merge them into a single file for easier playback.

Recommended tool: CapCut Desktop

Drag all MP4 files into the timeline in order.
Export as a single MP4 file.
This method preserves the original quality and avoids re-encoding.

Alternative: Use any other video editor or ffmpeg if comfortable with the command line.