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Viewing CCTV Cameras from Multiple DVRs and Locations

CCTV Surveillance DVR

The iDVR-E and iDVR-RT16 series surveillance DVRs support the ability to centrally view CCTV cameras connected to separate DVRs using the EMS (enterprise management software) that is included. This software is extremely useful for business owners that need an enterprise surveillance system consisting of multiple locations. Users can also combine viewing security cameras at their home(s) with cameras at one or more business. Please note that the EMS software is designed for Windows based PCs. The iDVR has a Mac software client, but it is limited to connect to one DVR at a time.

UPDATE! View Security Camera DVRs at Multiple Location

view multiple security camera locations

2023 Update! CCTV Camera Pros now highly recommends Viewtron security camera DVRs and Viewtron IP camera NVRs. We no longer sell iDVR-E products that are documented below. Watch this video to see the how the Viewtron NVMS (network video management software) can be used to centrally view security cameras from multiple locations. The software can also connect directly to Viewtron network IP cameras. Custom views can be configured that consists of cameras from different locations.

Multiple DVR Surveillance System Network Diagram

The below diagram illustrates a network diagram of three iDVR-E16 CCTV DVRs on the same network being monitored by a laptop computer that is also on the same network as the DVRs using the EMS software. Although this diagram shows the DVRs and computer on the same network, the EMS software also works when some or all of the DVRs are on different networks / locations, and the PC is also at a remote location. Multiple DVR Surveillance System Software

Setup Multiple DVR Viewer Software (EMS)

Please follow these instructions to setup viewing cameras from multiple DVRs using EMS. Please note that the example used for these instructions covers setting up multiple DVRs at the same location.
  1. Download the latest EMS software for the iDVR here.
  2. Launch the software on your Windows PC.
  3. One the software launches:
    1) Click the Device button
    2) The Device Manager screen will open and search your local network for all compatible DVRs. The following models are supported: iDVR-E4, iDVR-E8, iDVR-E16, and iDVR-RT16.
    3) Click OK to add the DVRs that were found to the EMS software.

    Surveillance DVR Network Search
  4. When the device manager window closes:
    1) You will see the DVRs added to the EMS software.
    2) Click on the New VDVR button.
    3) This creates a "virtual DVR" view that allows you to add cameras from any DVR in the EMS to the new view. The newly created virtual DVR will appear just like a physical DVR in the menu.

    iDVR Virtual DVR View
  5. After the virtual DVR view is added
    1) Click on the online/offline button to connect to all DVRs configured in the EMS software.
    2) Double-click on the virtual DVR to open the view of the VDVR.
    3) Drag and drop the cameras from any DVR into the virtual DVR view. You can add up to 64 cameras and you can create additional virtual DVRs if needed.

    Select Cameras to View
Mike Haldas

Author Info

This article was written by , co-founder and managing partner of CCTV Camera Pros. Questions about this article can be directed to mike@cctvcamerapros.net.

iDVR-PRO DVRs Support Viewing Multiple Locations

Our iDVR-PRO DVRs also include remote software to view security cameras at multiple locations. Watch the below video to see a demo of the CMS software that is included. 2023 Update! CCTV Camera Pros now highly recommends Viewtron security camera DVRs and Viewtron IP camera NVRs. We no longer recommend iDVR-PRO DVRs.