Lorex IP Security Camera to TV Decoder Solution

How do I display Lorex (or other brand) IP security cameras on a TV without replacing the whole system?

Viewtron IP camera to HDMI decoders convert RTSP video streams into a standard HDMI signal. CCTV Camera Pros recommends Viewtron IP cameras with these decoders, but customers who already own Lorex or another IP brand that supports RTSP can use the same boxes. The decoder does not need the camera brand to match Viewtron as long as you can get a working RTSP URL.

Two decoder models cover most installs:
- Viewtron IP-HDMI-D4 — hard-wired Ethernet, up to 1080p HDMI output, up to 4 RTSP streams
- Viewtron IP-HDMI-D4K — same multi-camera layouts plus 4K HDMI output and built-in WiFi (Ethernet also available)
Browse the full line (decoders, HDMI to IP encoder, kits) on the HDMI Over Ethernet / IP encoder decoder category.

1. What this solution is for

Typical use cases:
- Live TV / spot monitor for 1–4 IP cameras without putting a full DVR next to the display
- Keep recording on an existing Lorex (or other) NVR while adding a separate HDMI live view
- Custom on-screen layouts (for example a wide rear camera across the top and two side cameras on the bottom)
- Hard-wired Ethernet to the decoder, or WiFi on the IP-HDMI-D4K when you do not want a cable at the TV
Latency stays low because the decoder pulls live RTSP stream from the IP camera.

2. Pick 1080p or 4K
- IP-HDMI-D4 (1080p): Best when the monitor is modest (for example a small dash / cabin display) and you are hard-wiring the decoder. You do not need WiFi or 4K HDMI output.
- IP-HDMI-D4K (4K + WiFi): Choose this when you want 4K HDMI output on a larger 4K TV, or when the decoder must be connected to a wireless network. Please note that the 4K models also supports a hard wired RJ45 Ethernet port in addition to supporting wireless network conectivity.
Picture quality on the TV is driven mainly by the resolution of each RTSP stream you feed the decoder, not only by the decoder model. One full-screen camera can use a high-res / 4K main stream. For 2–4 cameras on one screen, use each camera’s sub stream or a 1080p / 720p profile so the decoder is not overloaded. Details: Multiple high resolution RTSP streams overload HDMI decoder.

3. Get RTSP URLs from Lorex (and similar) cameras

Viewtron cameras expose RTSP URLs in the camera web UI. Third-party brands publish their own URL patterns. Many Lorex IP cameras use a Dahua-style path like:
- Main stream (higher quality / 4K when supported): rtsp://username:password@CAMERA_IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0
- Sub stream (lower quality / smoother for multi-view): rtsp://username:password@CAMERA_IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1
Confirm the exact path for your camera model in that brand’s documentation. Then follow the Viewtron decoder wiring and Stream Address Setting steps here, pasting your Lorex (or other) URLs instead of Viewtron profile URLs: Connect IP Camera to TV Decoder Setup without NVR.

For the wireless setup on the 4K IP to HDMI decider model: Wireless IP Camera to HDMI Converter Setup.

4. Multi-camera layouts (including wide + two side cameras)

Both decoders support 1, 2, 3, and 4 camera layouts. You can resize and reposition panes (for example a panoramic / 180°–190° rear camera stretched across the top, with left and right cameras on the bottom half).

Use Channel Layout in the decoder Advanced settings to enable custom layouts and drag/resize each channel. Walkthrough: How to change Channel Layout for your IP-HDMI-D4 (same idea on the D4K).

Firmware does not draw a solid black border around each pane. You can leave a small gap between cameras in the layout editor so the views stay visually separated.

5. Recommended stream mix for a 3-camera mosaic

Example pattern that works well with 4K Lorex-style cameras on a 4K decoder:
- Wide / rear camera: main stream only if that pane is large and you are not also loading three other heavy streams
- Left and right cameras: secondary / sub streams (1080p or 720p)
- HDMI output: multi-camera mosaic on the IP-HDMI-D4K at 4K when the TV supports it
If the TV jumps to No Settings after you raise Play number of channels, drop the multi-view feeds to sub streams first — that is almost always decoder load, not a bad URL.

Quick checklist
- Confirm each camera has a working RTSP URL (test in VLC if needed).
- Choose IP-HDMI-D4 (wired 1080p) or IP-HDMI-D4K (4K / WiFi).
- Wire or WiFi the decoder onto the same LAN as the cameras (or route to the NVR RTSP URLs).
- Paste RTSP URLs under Stream Address Setting; use sub streams for multi-view.
- Customize Channel Layout when you need a non-default mosaic.
- Order online from the product pages linked above when you are ready.
Related
Questions on a live Viewtron decoder install? Email info@cctvcamerapros.net or call / text 1-561-433-8488.