Script to parse HIKVISION DVR hard drives and export the footage

This script was written as an effort to extract footage from a specific DVR (JFL TradeMark, model DHD-2104N). It's HD contained strings that identify it as HIKVISION, version HIK.2011.03.08. This script was written based on the following paper: Paper.

The format found in the HD was not the same as the described in the paper, but the overall structure was the same (maybe a different version).

It was tested only in windows, using a DD image of the HD as input. It uses FFmpeg to mux the video into MP4 files, so FFmpeg should be in the os search path (ffmpeg.exe in the same folder as the script is enough). You can get a copy of FFmpeg here: FFmpeg.

The script was tested using python 3.9, but any version from 3.7 on should work.

The HD Image can be created using dd (from linux), any forensic imager (FTK Imager, for instance). You can also use the HDD Raw Copy Tool from HDDGURU: HDD Raw Copy Tool.

In the folder containing the file "hikextractor.py":

python hikextractor.py -i <INPUT_IMAGE.DD> -m

In the folder containing the file "hikextractor.py":

python hikextractor.py -i <INPUT_IMAGE.DD> -l

In the folder containing the file "hikextractor.py" and "ffmpeg.exe":

python hikextractor.py -i <INPUT_IMAGE.DD> -o <OUTPUT_DIR>

• INPUT_IMAGE.DD - HD raw image
• OUTPUT_DIR - Output folder where the mp4 videos will be saved to

If ffmpeg cannot mux the h264 stream to a mp4 file, you can export the raw h264 stream. It can be played using the VLC Media Player. In the folder containing the file "hikextractor.py" and "ffmpeg.exe":

python hikextractor.py -i <INPUT_IMAGE.DD> -o <OUTPUT_DIR> -r

• INPUT_IMAGE.DD - HD raw image
• OUTPUT_DIR - Output folder where the mp4 videos will be saved to