LanguageDAV
DVR365 encrypted video recording
File type: Digital video and movie file
Files with dav file extension can typically be encountered as older video recordings from video recorders and security camera systems, such as the DVR365 series. Specially encrypted and encoded MPEG can only be viewed using the default DVR365 Player.
What is dav file?
File type category:
Digital video and movie file
Date updated: August 23, 2023
File extension dav is mainly known to be used for a particular video format from several digital video recorders (for example, DVR365, DVR-1600HP, etc.) as well as CCTV security solutions from several different manufacturers, including DVR365, AlienDVR, or Mace.
The dav file represents video recording in a specially modified version o MPEG format saved in the SightBoss Central Station software installed on the DVR.
These dav files are also encrypted, so they cannot be played by standard media players with MPEG support. A special playback software (DVR365) is needed to view the footage. You may also need older MPEG codecs installed on your computer for the playback.
Note: The DVR365 family of video recorders was superseded by AlienDVR devices that offer better resolutions and video encoded using the H.264 codec.
The latest AlienDVR video recorders do not use the original DAV format, and it appears the recordings no longer use the dav file extension as well, but the standard mp4 or 264 suffixes.
How to open dav file?
The official DVR365 Player software allows for playback of .dav recordings. Standard media players won't work.
How to convert dav file?
You can find special utilities that allow for converting DAV format to AVI, for example, the small utilities from Bahamas Security.
Suggested software to open dav file:
Associated software actions with the dav file
Apps designed for playing dav files:
DVR365 PC Player (Microsoft Windows)
CCTVWindows (Microsoft Windows)
AlienDVR PC Player Software V6mini (Microsoft Windows)
Software apps that record to dav files:
CCTVWindows (Microsoft Windows)
Software apps that import dav files:
HandBrake (Microsoft Windows)
Bigasoft Total Video Converter (Microsoft Windows)
Dahua AVI Convert (Microsoft Windows)
HandBrake for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
Mac DAV Converter (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
HandBrake for Linux (Linux/Unix)