Updated August 26, 2026.
Surveillance Manager records IP cameras to a TNAS through ONVIF or RTSP. The general application supports up to 32 cameras, but it is not available on every model or on the TOS 7 ARM release for the F2-212/F4-212. Compatibility comes first.
Check compatibility before buying
TOS 7 documentation describes Surveillance Manager, but TerraMaster’s TOS 7 ARM announcement excludes it on the F2-212 and F4-212. A generic compatibility claim is therefore unsafe: check the model, architecture, TOS release, and App Center.
The 32-camera maximum is a software limit, not a performance guarantee. Resolution, frame rate, H.265 decoding, bitrate, live view, and other NAS workloads determine practical capacity.
Do not buy cameras merely because they advertise ONVIF. Verify profiles, codecs, audio, PTZ, and tested interoperability.
ONVIF and RTSP
ONVIF simplifies discovery, credentials, profiles, and PTZ. RTSP can add a video URL when discovery fails, but some camera features may be unavailable. TerraMaster lists H.264/H.265 video and G.711, G.726, or AAC audio depending on the camera.
Place cameras and the TNAS on a controlled VLAN or network. Replace default passwords and prevent low-cost cameras from unrestricted internet access.
Add a camera
Assign a static address or DHCP reservation, create a camera-specific account, and test the connection. Quick setup uses defaults; full setup exposes resolution, frame rate, bitrate, recording, and schedules.
Use substreams for multi-camera live view and the primary stream for recording. H.265 saves space but may require browser hardware acceleration and can complicate exports.
Estimate storage
Bitrate determines storage. A continuously recorded 4 Mb/s camera produces roughly 43 GB per day. Four comparable cameras exceed 170 GB per day before audio and variability.
Control growth with event recording, schedules, variable bitrate, and retention. Surveillance Manager can remove old files when free space falls, but reserve room for other NAS services.
- 2 Mb/s: about 21.6 GB/day.
- 4 Mb/s: about 43.2 GB/day.
- 8 Mb/s: about 86.4 GB/day.
Security and privacy
Keep camera and NAS firmware current, block external access, and use a VPN. Do not publish RTSP. Separate viewing and administrator accounts, and protect exports containing identifiable people.
Follow local privacy rules, restrict views to your property, and define retention. Audio recording may be regulated differently from video.
Recordings and troubleshooting
Configure folders, MP4 downloads, retention, and locking for important events. Test playback and export before evidence is needed. TerraMaster recommends graphics acceleration in Chrome for H.265 playback.
For disconnects, check PoE power, address, time, credentials, ONVIF profile, and bitrate. A slow live view does not necessarily mean the recorded file is damaged—inspect the stored recording.
Verdict
Surveillance Manager can turn a compatible TNAS into a useful NVR, but model, architecture, and workload matter more than the advertised maximum. Camera network design deserves the same care as storage.