How-to Use Multiple HD CCTV Cameras to LiveStream Video on YouTube and Facebook

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Here are a few ways to use multiple HD CCTV cameras (AHD, HD-TVI, HD-CVI) to Livestream video on Facebook and YouTube. At CCTV Camera Pros, I have helped many customers over the years setup multiple security cameras for live streaming video applications. I have designed video surveillance systems for some customers to serve the dual purpose of provide recorded video security and to be used for online live video streaming for promotional purposes. I have also designed many HD security camera systems exclusively for online live streaming for marketing.

CCTV video multiplexers and some security camera DVRs can be used as a core component in multi-camera video streaming applications. A fairly powerful PC with an HDMI capture card and Open Broadcast software installed are used in conjunction with the CCTV DVR or multiplexer.

June 2020 Update – CCTV Camera Pros recently started supplying this HDMI to USB capture box. It works great and it can be used instead of a BlackMagic capture card.

LiveStream Video System w/ CCTV Cameras and DVR

Multiple HD CCTV Camera YouTube Live Streaming System

There are two ways to use a CCTV DVR to live stream: 1) via HDMI  2) RTSP streams. I like the HDMI method better because the RTSP streaming method can be delayed and cause some performance problems with the recording operations of the DVR. The setup is almost the same. This method works best on DVRs that have dual monitor / spot monitor support. The spot monitor setup allows you to have a continuous live video display on the HDMI output while the VGA output can be used to administer the DVR using the menu system. The spot monitor output does not display the menu system or actions being performed on the DVR. You can see this in the below video demo.

This is how it works.

  1. Up to 16 cameras are hard wired to the DVR using RG59 Siamese coax cable. We use an iDVR-PRO16H HD CCTV DVR because of the excellent dual monitor / spot monitor support.
  2. The HDMI output of the DVR is configured as a spot monitor.
  3. The HDMI output of the DVR is connected to the HDMI input of a Blackmagic capture card on our streaming PC.
  4. The PC is running Open Broadcaster Software (OBS). OBS is integrated with YouTube, Facebook, and every major video streaming platform.
  5. The streaming PC is connected to the Internet using a network router / modem. This allows OBS to communicate with YouTube, Facebook Live, etc.

Instead of using the HDMI output of the DVR, some DVRs give you direct access to the RTSP streams (real time streaming protocol) of each security camera. Open Broadcaster Software can access direct RTSP streams as a media source. If you use the RTSP method, you do not need an HDMI capture card on the PC. The PC and DVR just need to be connected to the same local network. I do not recommend the RTSP method because there can be a slight delay in video and also a performance hit on the DVR when you use RTSP. Also, you do not get the benefit of the automated screen sequence of the spot monitor function of the DVR.

LiveStream Video Demo with CCTV Cameras and DVR

Watch this video to see an archive of a YouTube livestream using an iDVR-PRO CCTV DVR. Please note that this system can also be used to livestream video to Facebook and other streaming platforms as well.

The video also shows how the spot monitor output of the iDVR-PRO can be configured with multiple single and multi-camera views. Please note that this spot monitor function is supported on iDVR-PRO8H and iDVR-PRO16H models. If you have an existing DVR that you want to use and it does not have this dual monitor / spot monitor functionality, you can use a video multiplexer in conjunction with your DVR.

LiveStream Video with Multiple Security Cameras and a Multiplexer

Multiple CCTV Camera Live Streaming Video Multiplexer

Instead of using a DVR, you can use a CCTV video multiplexer to combine the video signals from multiple cameras into a single view for live streaming. The setup is almost the same. You just replace the DVR with the multiplexer.

This is how it works.

  1. Up to 16 cameras are hard wired to this 16ch HD CCTV multiplexer using RG59 Siamese coax cable. A mix of 1080p AHD cameras and 1080p HD-TVI cameras are used in this demo.
  2. The HDMI output of the multiplexer is connected to the HDMI input of the BlackMagic video capture card installed in the streaming PC.
  3. The streaming PC is running Open Broadcaster Software which is integrated with YouTube, Facebook, etc.
  4. The PC is on a network that is connected to a high speed internet connection so that the Open Broadcaster Software can stream the video to YouTube, Facebook, etc.
  5. Users can switch between different single and multiple camera screen layouts using the infrared wireless remote control of the multiplexer.

YouTube LiveStream with Multiple HD Security Cameras and a Video Multiplexer

Watch the above video to see an archive of a YouTube livestream produced by CCTV Camera Pros using this multi-camera livestream video system which includes a video multiplexer.

YouTube LiveStreaming from Mac Laptop

Most recently, I have been experimenting with with using my Macbook Pro laptop instead of a Windows based PC as my livestream server. Please check out this new post: How-to Stream Multiple Cameras on YouTube Live. The main reason that I have been testing this is to have a mobile solution that I can more easily take to different locations.

live video streaming from Mac with Blackmagic HDMI Capture

This is the setup that I have been testing with. Instead of using the internal Blackmagic HDMI capture card that we use with our the Windows based streaming PCs that we build, I have been testing on my Mac with an external Blackmagic mini recorder that connects via Thunderbolt connection. The same open source Open Broadcaster software is installed on the Macbook.

One of the downsides to my Macbook setup is that the external Blackmagic HDMI capture box only supports 1080p @ 30Hz. Our iDVR-PRO DVRs output 1080p @ 60Hz, so I had to do a few video conversions to overcome this problem. The Internal Blackmagic cards that we build streaming servers with, are compatible with 1080p @ 60Hz and even 4K video resolution. The smaller capture box can not work with 4K video.

Important Update! CCTV Camera Pros now recommends our HDMI to USB converter instead of the Blackmagic box. Our HDMI-U3 converter is capable of streaming at 1080p resolutoin.

Live Video Stream Applications

I have helped many different types of businesses and organizations design live video streaming systems. Here are a few examples.

  • College Sports Team Streaming
  • Tennis Court Streaming
  • Dog Boarding Facility Streaming
  • Live Art Gallery Demonstrations
  • Live Product Marketing and Demonstrations

Have Questions / Need Help?

This article covered a few ways to use video surveillance equipment to live stream video on social media platforms. There are other ways. Which one is best for you depends on your requirements and if you have existing equipment. Please feel free to contact me for a free consultation if you would like my advice.

About Mike Haldas

is the co-founder and managing partner of CCTV Camera Pros. Mike works on product research and development for the company. Before starting CCTV Camera Pros, Mike worked as a software engineer in the web hosting industry. CCTV Camera Pros is a veteran owned business as Mike proudly served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) from 1993 to 1997. Mike can be contacted for questions about this article and anything related to video surveillance systems at mike@cctvcamerapros.net.