Hanwha HRX-434 vs Hanwha XRN-420S: Specification Comparison
The Hanwha HRX-434 and XRN-420S are both 4-channel, 1U compact recorders from Hanwha's Wisenet line, each supporting 8MP resolution and a single 6TB SATA drive. The core distinction is architecture: the HRX-434 is a pentabrid DVR accepting both analog coax (AHD/HDTVI/HDCVI/CVBS) and up to 6 IP cameras for a maximum of 10 sources, while the XRN-420S is a pure IP NVR capped at 4 network cameras but equipped with four built-in PoE+ ports and a higher 50 Mbps recording bandwidth. Buyers upgrading legacy analog infrastructure versus deploying a greenfield IP system will land on opposite sides of this comparison.
In This Guide
- How do channel capacity, camera type support, and recording bandwidth compare?
- What are the differences in physical connectivity, PoE power delivery, and power supply requirements?
- How do the two units differ in software ecosystem, redundancy, and remote management capabilities?
- Which should you choose: the HRX-434 or the XRN-420S?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
How do channel capacity, camera type support, and recording bandwidth compare?
The HRX-434 supports 4 analog BNC inputs (AHD, HDTVI, HDCVI, CVBS auto-detected) plus up to 6 additional IP channels via the network port, giving a theoretical maximum of 10 recording sources. Its recording bandwidth is capped at 30 Mbps and playback at 32 Mbps across up to 6 simultaneous channels locally.
The XRN-420S is a pure IP NVR limited to 4 network camera channels, but its recording bandwidth ceiling is 50 Mbps — 67% higher than the HRX-434's 30 Mbps — and its transmission bandwidth reaches 64 Mbps versus the HRX-434's 32 Mbps. Simultaneous playback on the XRN-420S reaches 16 channels (4 local + 4 per remote user), compared to 6 channels on the HRX-434. The HRX-434's hybrid analog+IP architecture is its distinguishing capacity advantage; the XRN-420S's higher per-channel bandwidth suits high-bitrate IP cameras.
What are the differences in physical connectivity, PoE power delivery, and power supply requirements?
The XRN-420S includes four PoE+ (802.3at) RJ-45 LAN ports with a 50 W PoE budget plus a separate 1 Gbps WAN uplink port, enabling camera powering directly from the recorder with no external switch. Its alarm interface provides 4 inputs and 2 relay outputs. Power draw reaches 67 W maximum (1 HDD, PoE on) from a 100–240 VAC ±10% universal AC adapter, making it compatible with standard building power worldwide.
The HRX-434 has a single RJ-45 Ethernet port (10/100 BASE-T) with no PoE capability, meaning IP cameras require a separate PoE switch or injectors. It provides 4 BNC inputs, 1 BNC spot output, 4 alarm inputs, and 1 relay output (NO/NC/COM). Power is DC 12 V supplied externally, drawing a maximum of 22 W — roughly one-third of the XRN-420S's maximum draw. The HRX-434 also exposes an RS-485 serial port for PTZ control, a connector absent from the XRN-420S specification.
How do the two units differ in software ecosystem, redundancy, and remote management capabilities?
Both recorders support SUNAPI (Wisenet), ONVIF Profile-S, P2P QR-code setup, iOS/Android mobile apps, 802.1x authentication, and Hanwha Techwin Root CA device certificates. Both allow a maximum of 4 users (1 local, 3 remote), Search(3) and Live Unicast(10) remote user limits.
The XRN-420S adds several capabilities absent from the HRX-434's specification: IPv6 support, AAC audio compression (G.711/G.726/AAC vs. G.711/G.726 only on the HRX-434), N+1 failover redundancy (the HRX-434 lists ARB support only), Signed firmware, compatibility with Wisenet WAVE VMS, and AI object-attribute search for Wisenet AI cameras. It also logs up to 100,000 system and event entries. The HRX-434 adds coaxial control (Pelco-C/AHD/CVI/TVI) for analog PTZ cameras and RS-485 (Samsung-T/Pelco-D/Pelco-P) — features irrelevant on a pure IP NVR but essential for mixed or legacy coax deployments.
Which should you choose: the HRX-434 or the XRN-420S?
Our take: The HRX-434 is the stronger choice when an installation must retain existing coax analog cameras (AHD, HDTVI, HDCVI, or CVBS) while adding up to 6 IP channels, all on a single low-power (22 W max, DC 12 V) appliance. The XRN-420S is the stronger choice for a pure IP greenfield deployment of up to 4 cameras: its four built-in PoE+ ports eliminate an external switch, its 50 Mbps recording bandwidth (vs. 30 Mbps) supports higher-bitrate cameras, and it adds N+1 failover, Signed firmware, IPv6, AAC audio, WAVE VMS compatibility, and AI search — none of which appear in the HRX-434 specification. Installers running a Wisenet AI camera or WAVE-managed site should specify the XRN-420S; integrators migrating a coax system to IP over time should specify the HRX-434.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Hanwha HRX-434 | Hanwha XRN-420S |
|---|---|---|
| Device Architecture | Pentabrid DVR (analog + IP) | Pure IP NVR |
| Max Analog Channels | 4 (BNC: AHD/HDTVI/HDCVI/CVBS) | — |
| Max IP Channels | 6 (in addition to 4 analog) | 4 |
| Max Total Sources | 10 (4 analog + 6 IP) | 4 IP |
| Recording Bandwidth | Max. 30 Mbps | Max. 50 Mbps |
| Playback Bandwidth | Max. 32 Mbps (6CH simultaneous) | Max. 32 Mbps (16CH simultaneous) |
| Transmission Bandwidth | Max. 32 Mbps | Max. 64 Mbps |
| Built-in PoE Ports | None | 4x PoE+ (802.3at), 50 W budget |
| Ethernet (uplink) | 1x RJ-45 10/100 BASE-T | 4x RJ-45 10/100 (PoE LAN) + 1x RJ-45 1 Gbps (WAN) |
| Storage | 1x SATA, max 6TB | 1x SATA, max 6TB |
| Video Compression | H.265, H.264, MJPEG | H.265, H.264, MJPEG |
| Max Resolution | 8MP | 8MP |
| Power Supply | DC 12 V external | 100–240 VAC ±10%, 50/60 Hz adapter |
| Max Power Draw | 22 W (with 6TB HDD) | 67 W (with 1 HDD, PoE on) |
| Redundancy | ARB support | N+1 Failover + ARB support |
| Alarm I/O | 4 In / 1 Out (NO/NC/COM relay) | 4 In / 2 Out |
| IPv6 Support | — | Yes |
| Coaxial PTZ Control | Yes (Pelco-C/AHD/CVI/TVI) | — |
| RS-485 Serial | Yes (Samsung-T/Pelco-D/Pelco-P) | — |
| AI Object Search | — | Yes (Wisenet AI Camera compatible) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 300 x 47 x 208.7 mm | 300.0 x 47.1 x 208.4 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 1.5 kg (with 4TB HDD) | 1.06 kg (no HDD) |
| Certifications | UL, CE, FCC, KC | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the HRX-434 or the XRN-420S?
The HRX-434 is the stronger choice when an installation must retain existing coax analog cameras (AHD, HDTVI, HDCVI, or CVBS) while adding up to 6 IP channels, all on a single low-power (22 W max, DC 12 V) appliance. The XRN-420S is the stronger choice for a pure IP greenfield deployment of up to 4 cameras: its four built-in PoE+ ports eliminate an external switch, its 50 Mbps recording bandwidth (vs. 30 Mbps) supports higher-bitrate cameras, and it adds N+1 failover, Signed firmware, IPv6, AAC audio, WAVE VMS compatibility, and AI search — none of which appear in the HRX-434 specification. Installers running a Wisenet AI camera or WAVE-managed site should specify the XRN-420S; integrators migrating a coax system to IP over time should specify the HRX-434.
Can I connect my existing analog CCTV cameras to either of these recorders?
Only the HRX-434 accepts analog cameras. It supports up to 4 coax inputs auto-detecting AHD, HDTVI, HDCVI, and CVBS signals via BNC connectors, with coaxial PTZ control (Pelco-C). The XRN-420S is a pure IP NVR and has no BNC inputs; it cannot accept any analog coax camera signal.
Do I need a separate PoE switch if I buy the XRN-420S?
No. The XRN-420S includes four built-in PoE+ (802.3at) RJ-45 ports with a combined 50 W budget, allowing it to power compatible IP cameras directly. The HRX-434 has a single standard 10/100 Ethernet port with no PoE output; a separate PoE switch or injectors are required for any IP cameras connected to it.
Which recorder is better suited for a site already using Wisenet WAVE VMS?
The XRN-420S explicitly lists WAVE in its supported viewer software alongside SSM, Webviewer, Smart Viewer, and Wisenet Mobile. The HRX-434 specification does not list WAVE; its software support includes Smart Viewer, Webviewer, Wisenet Mobile, and SDK/CGI. Sites standardized on WAVE should verify HRX-434 compatibility with Hanwha before specifying it.
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