I first had an OEM DS-7604NI-E1, of course HIKVISION wouldn't talk to me. I then proceeded to purchase the same unit from an authorized reseller, called HIKVISION, got the run around and then a tech told me only the Netra series works with C4. I noticed on my resellers website they now have an advertisement about new C4 compatible firmware. I filled out a form, they sent me a link with a firmware and guide. Lo and behold the OEM DS-7604NI-E1 took the firmware and now shows up SDDP and is discovered/added, gone are the days of the 'lost communication with NVR'
According to the guide I have obtained, here are the compatible models:
Netra NVR: 76/77/86/9600NI-ST-RT-XT-SP Firmware: V3.4.31 Build 161206 (Customized Firmware)
I Series NVR Firmware: V3.4.93 Build 170705 (Customized Firmware)
E series NVR Firmware: V3.4.93 Build 170705 (Customized Firmware)