How to Trigger Recording on your Security Camera System using a Switch

Security cameras do more than watch a property. With the right setup, they also help with business and clerical tasks. Our approach is simple: we pair a professional CCTV Camera World system with a manual trigger. A physical switch connected to the camera or recorder starts and stops capture on demand. One press on a push button, foot pedal, or wall switch tells the camera or NVR to record a short clip or take still photos. No menu diving in a DVR, no app required.

Most home and cloud-based camera systems can’t do this. They lack hard-wired alarm inputs or relay control for a physical switch. Our professional security cameras and recorders do, which is why this workflow is possible in an interview room, on a shop floor, or at a packing bench.

Selecting hardware? For camera picks by business use, see our best business security cameras, and for turnkey bundles sized for workplaces, compare our best commercial security camera systems.

Why Manual Trigger Recording is Ideal for Business

Precise event capture

Record only when it matters, based on your or an employee’s discretion. A simple-to-use manual trigger lets you capture exactly what you need, the instant you need it, without hours of extra footage.

Storage efficiency

Continuous or motion recording can fill a card or hard drive quickly. Triggered capture saves only the moments you choose, so retention stretches much longer on the same storage.

Fast retrieval

Each clip or snapshot is tied to an intentional trigger. That makes it quick to find files later, without scrolling through days of video or a long timeline.

Use cases

Manual trigger recording fits common legal, business, and industrial needs, including:

• Starting and stopping interrogation video with a on/off switch in the room
• Segmenting courtroom video into clean, labeled parts
• Trading card grading with sharp, high-resolution stills for verification and records
• Product packaging and shipping documentation for QA or dispute resolution
• Quality inspection in manufacturing before the next stage
• Assembly line checkpoints to capture key moments without slowing production
• Warranty documentation to record item condition before it leaves your facility

Who this is for

• Business owners who want staff to start and stop recording using a simple switch without giving full system access
• Teams that need clean, intentional clips for documentation and quality assurance

What we’ll show you

• How to wire a trigger into a camera’s alarm input and set the recording action
• How to use an NVR to trigger recording for one or multiple cameras at once

In this guide, we use an Avalonix Premium Series 16-channel NVR connected to multiple cameras. The same trigger-based (alarm-based) method works with our NDAA-compliant AvaEye and Security Cameras Inc systems. Make sure the recorder has alarm inputs before making a purchase.

In this guide, we use an Avalonix Premium Series 16 Channel NVR recorder that can be connected to multiple cameras. The trigger-based (alarm-based) recording method can be used to activate recording on one or multiple cameras of your choice. The same method works with our NDAA-compliant AvaEye and Security Cameras Inc systems. When purchasing, confirm the recorder has alarm inputs.

If you're pressed for time, or you're more of a visual person, you can jump to the tutorial video below.

What You’ll Need

You only need a few pieces, and most are easy to source.

NVR with alarm inputs

An NVR with alarm inputs is required to tie in a trigger such as a light switch for controlling recording. In this guide, we will use the Avalonix 16 Channel NVR, and below is a picture showing what the alarm blocks look like.

Be sure to purchase the NVR with a hard drive. Some systems can upload to a NAS or FTP for flexibility. We don’t recommend cloud storage for mission-critical projects because it depends on an internet connection and third-party uptime.

As a general rule, our NVRs with 2 hard drive slots or higher usually have an alarm input/output connection on the back. You'll want to browse through the following categories of recorders for one that fits your needs.

• 8 channel NVR
• 16 channel NVR
• 32 channel NVR
• 64 channel NVR

A trigger device

Reliable options for business or industrial use include:

• Push-button switch
• Foot pedal for hands-free capture
• Wall light switch for a familiar feel

Tip: for most workflows, use a Normally Open (NO) contact so nothing triggers unless the switch is pressed.

We use a simple light switch for our demo.

Prerequisites

• A Windows computer is preferred, although macOS or Linux works
• Your NVR system with PoE cameras added to the NVR
• A PoE switch if you're connecting the camera over the network instead of directly to the built-in poe switch on the NVR

Using an NVR for Multi-Camera Trigger Recording

You can use one Trigger switch to record multiple cameras, or separate Trigger switches for different cameras when using an NVR with alarm inputs.

Step 1: Wire the trigger to the NVR

1. Locate the alarm input terminals or terminal block.  Some NVRs use push-in connectors; others include a removable terminal block.

2. Connect your trigger device, connect the positive lead to one of the inputs usually labeled with a number, and connect the other lead to G (ground). In our case we're connecting to alarm input 1 on the back of the NVR.

3. Secure the connection and tug the wires gently to confirm they’re seated. Label the wires so they can be traced later.

Step 2: Schedule Alarm Storage

1. In the Storage and Schedule menu, modify the recording schedule to include Alarm recording. In the example below, we switched all recordings to Alarm.

Step 3: Configure the NVR recording rules

1. Access the NVR interface by logging in via a directly connected monitor or a web browser.

2. To enable the alarm input, navigate to the Alarm → Alarm Input menu. 

Activate the input you wired (for example, Input 1), and set its type to either NO or NC to correspond with your switch.

3. Choose trigger actions; under Record Channel (or similar setting), select the channels that should record or take snapshots when that input is triggered.

4. Set recording parameters, and adjust Post-Record time so the clip doesn’t cut off. For default settings while testing on the bench, we recommend recording video for 10–20 seconds and taking 2–3 snapshots at a rate of 1 frame per second.

5. Save and test by activating the switch. You should see the alarm status change and assigned channels start recording. For quick testing, enable the Buzzer and Log triggers.

Advanced Setups using the Alarm Out Relay 

The camera or NVR can function as an alarm relay by using the Alarm Out trigger setting to activate external devices when the alarm input is triggered. This is useful for controlling visual indicators, automating processes, or activating safety mechanisms.

Step 1: Decide What to Control

1. Choose an external device

Examples include indicator lights, audible buzzers or sirens for feedback and safety, or machinery controls such as stopping a conveyor belt to capture a clip or snapshot.

2. Determine the power requirements of the external device

Make sure the device’s voltage and current match the relay output’s ratings. Some devices may require a separate power source.

For some devices power can be sent through the alarm panel as shown in the image below.

Step 2: Wiring the Relay Output

1. Locate the relay output terminals

These are typically labeled “NO” (Normally Open) or “C” (Common/Closed) on the camera or NVR.

2. Connect the device

Wire your two leads according to the contact type (NO or C) that matches the intended behavior. For example, if the indicator light should turn on when the switch is active, use a Closed output. If it should be on when the switch is off, use a Normally Open output.

3. Secure the connection

Confirm the wiring is tight and insulated to prevent shorting the alarm panel on the NVR or causing an electrical fire.

Step 3: Configuring the Relay Behavior

1. Access the output settings

In the Alarm Input menu for the port you are using, enable the Alarm-out Port option. Click the Setting button to turn on the Local Alarm option and select the port your external device is wired to.

Adjust the Post-Alarm setting to configure how long the relay output should remain active.

2. Save and test.

Trigger the alarm input and confirm that the external device turns on as expected and for the desired amount of time.

Video Tutorial

If you like to watch and learn from videos, we show the full process of setting up a light switch with one of the Avalonix Premium NVR recorders in the video below. You can also find a written guide below the video on this page.

Tips for Storage & Playback of Manually Triggered Clips

Use Built-In Playback for Quick Checks

NVR recorders include a built-in playback page in their web interface or through an HDMI output on NVRs. This is the fastest way to confirm that your manual trigger setup is working. If the device has a timeline or event list, filter by “Alarm” to view only the clips you created.

NVR Event Search

If you use an NVR, take advantage of the search options in the Events or Log menus. Searching by alarm events instead of scrolling through a full timeline makes it much faster to locate the exact moment the trigger was activated.

Label or Tag Important Clips

When exporting footage, add a label or tag in the file name. A date and short description such as “Order #12345 Packaging” can make retrieval much easier later.

Export and Back Up Critical Footage

For important projects or when clips or snapshots need archiving, export the clip or snapshot to a separate drive or secure network location. This protects your evidence or documentation if the camera’s storage is cleared or overwritten, or the camera itself is damaged.

Avoid Relying on Cloud for Mission-Critical Storage

Some systems support FTP storage, but internet outages, service interruptions, or account issues make it risky for critical operations. Local storage on an NVR hard drive, which is far more reliable for sensitive work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Miswiring the Alarm Input

Touching the positive and ground leads together will cause the alarm to stay active all the time. Double-check your wiring before powering on.

Using the Wrong Contact Type

If the switch doesn’t behave as expected, the wiring and software settings for NO (Normally Open) or NC (Normally Closed) may not match. Swap the setting or rewire to correct the behavior.

Poor Camera Placement

If you’re using the setup to take video or stills of shipping and industrial processes and the subject is too small in the frame, fine details like text and serial numbers won’t be readable. Move the camera closer or adjust the focal length if you’re using a motorized zoom or PTZ camera.

Low-Grade Switches in High-Use Areas

In busy environments, cheap switches can fail quickly. Use industrial-rated switches for reliability and longer service life.

Insufficient Post-Trigger Recording Time

If the post-trigger duration is too short, you may miss part of the event. Test and adjust until it consistently captures the full action.