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Chris asked: “I have a lot of different DVR recording devices that I like to monitor on my cell phone, and I have to use a different app for each of them. It’s very frustrating. Is there a universal app that I can use to have all my DVR equipment play on one app?”
Since you mentioned monitoring, we’re assuming you mean security camera DVRs and not cable or satellite type of DVRs.
If that’s the case, there are generic apps that should be able to access your DVRs, but your mileage may vary, you may have to try a few before you find one that works with them all.
vMEye works with both Android and iOS and you can pick your favorite interface from a long lists of apps that all incorporate the vMEye name with some added word here or there, like vMEye SuperHD, vMEye Super, vMEye+, and tons of others… the vast majority are completely free and work with several different types of cameras and DVRs.
You could also try iCam which is available on Android and iOS as well, or IP Cam Viewer Pro both should let you add different sources of video.
Whatever you use, your experience may feel clunky at first.
Whatever you use, your experience may feel clunky at first. A lot of apps will have an option to play back recorded video, but it may work only with some DVRs, or they will have options to control PTZ cameras, but that doesn’t mean they will work with YOUR PTZ camera… there’s a lot of trial and error involved, but the good news is that there are enough apps up there that your odds of at least being able to consolidate a least some of your DVR if not all into a single app are good.
Keep in mind that there are two kinds of viewers, also. CCTV viewers that connect to cameras and DVR viewers that connect with your security DVR device, or software if it’s computer based.
If you’re looking for one app to go across all of them, as we said you’ll need to check the compatibility list for the specifics of the camera and/or DVR that you use.
If you’re not careful, you could wind up with an app that will connect directly to your cameras but not your DVR, or vice versa. Although standards are used for the most part, it isn’t in the interest of vendors to make it simple for competitors to access their devices. Sadly, the customer gets caught in between.
Whichever app you select, be prepared to put on your patience cap and gather information. It will need to know port numbers and user accounts, as well as the IP address for the cameras, the server, or both. Good luck and tell us what you wind up with!