Video Matrix?

[ChrisP 0]

Hello Gentlemen:

Here is my question: How do I take video feeds from a DVR and split it over lets say 4 monitors. Now I want to be able to control which video feed I see on each monitor.

 

I want to sit at the monitor location and say I want to see Cam 4 or Cam 5 and just see that.

 

How do I do this? There are no PTZ involved. Only stationary analog cameras.

 

If you can suggest a brand name for the hardware I would appreciate it.

[brianparkes 0]

It depends on what equipment you already have. I'll assume you have 1 DVR with let's say 8 cameras. I assume the cameras are hooked directly into the DVR, and the DVR has only one output.

Are you viewing the footage on the DVR by hooking it up to a computer to access the files, or are you using the DVR itself and viewing it by hooking it up to a monitor? If you are viewing it through a computer, usually there is software with the DVR and you can view it "live" on a quad (or more) display. In that case, you might be better off purchasing a large monitor and then using the software to select which views to put on the quad view.

 

If you are using stand alone monitors with 1 or 2 inputs, then you will likely have to split the signal from the cameras before it reaches the DVR, since the DVR has only 1 output (usually). The cheapest way would be to purchase some T splitters and then run 2 lines into each monitor, then use the switch on the front of the monitor to flip between line 1 and 2 on each one (this is basically the cheapest way if you have only 8 camera views).

Or you could find a matrix switcher with a keypad and run the lines into that. Most matrix switchers will offer multiple outputs to go to multiple monitors.

 

I guess to go any further, what do you already have and how much do you want to spend?

Again, you would likely be best off getting a large screen monitor or TV to use as your computer screen and use the DVR software as a large quad view to save money. If you want to use multiple monitors, then you'll have to shop for a matrix system, which can start to get spendy.

[ChrisP 0]

Thank you for the detailed information.

 

I think it will be better to setup a PC and load it with the CMS software.