Mac Surveillance System Software Play Video from File Backup / Export

In addition to the live security camera viewing, the Mac surveillance system software for iDVR-E CCTV DVRs lets users open and playback recorded video files that have been backed up / exported. Download the CMS Lite client application for Macintosh and follow along with these instructions to experience how to playback exported video surveillance footage on your Mac PC. These instructions will guide you through a demo where you can download a file that we previously exported using our demo system at CCTV Camera Pros. iDVR-E owners can use these instructions to perform video file playback using their own system. You can find instructions on how to export video on Mac here.

You can also watch a video demo here to see how the video footage was identified and exported to disk.

Download Mac Software

You can download the latest Mac DVR client software here. The software is called CMS Lite for Mac. Please note that this software will only work with iDVR-E video surveillance DVRs from CCTV Camera Pros. Install the software on your Mac after you download it, then open the application by double-clicking on the CMS Lite icon.

Download Video File

Click here to download a sample video file that was exported using the Mac software. Save the DVR file (.cms) to a location on your Mac where you can easily find it again.

HD CCTV Cameras

Note about HD CCTV cameras: please be aware that the iDVR-E4 that was used to record and export the video surveillance contained in the above file had 2 analog CCTV cameras and 2 HD CCTV cameras connected to it at the time of recording. This is a hybrid DVR that supports both analog CCTV and AHD CCTV cameras on all channels. Channels 1 and 2 are standard definition. Channels 3 and 4 are AHD (analog high definition 720p). When you playback the video, you will notice the difference in resolution especially when you view the cameras in single screen mode. You can learn more about AHD CCTV here.

Playback Video Surveillance Backup File

To open a backup file, you do not need to enter any DVR information on the login screen. Just click on the "File Play" button. A finder window will open that allows you to browse to the location of the video file. Select and open the file that you downloaded.

When the video file opens, the CMS software will begin playing back the video in a multi-camera view. You can change the layout and number of cameras that appear on the screen by clicking on the screen layout icons on the top menu. The below image shows the single camera view of camera 3. You can change the video to play in forward or reverse and also change the speed of the playback using the player controls on the bottom of the screen. You can use the play button to pause and play the video.

Save Snapshot Image

Support you want to save a still image snapshot from the video. You can do this by pressing the play button to pause the video at the time that you want to create a snapshot of. Then click on the "Capture" button to export a PNG file. Please note that if the player was displaying 4 cameras on the screen, the image all four security cameras would be included in the still PNG file that is saved.

When you click on the Capture button, a file save window opens (as seen below). You can click on the browse button to select a directory location to save the image to, then click on the save button. You can click here to see the file that was saved from the capture that I performed.

Video Demo

Watch this video to see the search, playback, and video export process that was used to document this process.

About the Author

This article was written by Mike Haldas, co-founder and managing partner of CCTV Camera Pros. If you have any questions about setting up the Mac software for iDVR, please email me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net.

iPhone / iPad Compatible

Android Compatible

Mac Compatible

Request a Demo

If you do not currently have an iDVR-PRO and would like to log in to the demo unit at our office, please request a demo login below. You will be able to log in from iPhone, iPad, and Android mobile devices. You can also log in from Macintosh and Windows computers. Please click here to request a demo login.

Complete CCTV Systems

Did you know? CCTV Camera Pros can provide a complete surveillance system quote that includes a hybrid iDVR-E surveillance DVR, any number of cameras SD and HD CCTV cameras you need plus cables, connectors, power supplies, and monitors? As you have probably already seen on our website, we have 2, 4, 8, and 16 camera surveillance systems in pre-made packages. However, it is not possible for us to package up every combination and quantity of all the different camera models that we carry. So, we can also provide you with a custom quote with as many cameras as you need and a mix of any combination of camera model(s) based on your project requirements.