Auto-Sequence Live Security Camera Views in VMS Software

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  • The Auto-Switch feature in the VMS software for Viewtron security camera systems lets you cycle through a set of saved live security camera views. Also called camera sequencing or auto-sequence, it automatically cycles your monitor through a set of saved camera views, such as a 4 camera grid and then a 9 camera grid. This feature is available in the Viewtron VMS software for Mac and Windows, and it works with Viewtron DVRs and NVRs. Each view stays on screen for a set dwell time before the next one appears. Starting it is easy, but pausing and stopping work a little differently on Windows and Mac.

    How to start Auto-Switch (Windows and Mac)

    You choose which views are included by ticking them; views that are not ticked are skipped.

    1. Open Video Preview and expand the View list in the left panel.
    2. Tick the box next to each view you want in the sequence (for example, a 4 camera view and a 9 camera view).
    3. Choose the interval in the dropdown at the bottom right (for example, 20s). Options are 5s, 20s, 30s, 1 minute, 3 minute, 5 minute, or Custom time.
    4. Click Start Auto-Switch at the bottom of the left panel. The middle toolbar button shows two pause bars, and the ticked views start taking turns.

    Viewtron VMS for Windows View list with two views ticked and the Start Auto-Switch button

    Pause or stop on Windows

    On Windows the left label always reads Start Auto-Switch, even while the sequence runs. The pause button (two bars) is on the bottom-right toolbar, between the previous group and next group buttons, just left of the interval dropdown.

    To freeze the rotation on Windows, click the pause button. Click it again (or click Start Auto-Switch) to resume.

    When paused, the two bars change to a play triangle and the current view stays on screen. The sequence is still on while paused.

    Viewtron VMS for Windows toolbar close-up showing the pause button while Auto-Switch is running

    Viewtron VMS for Windows Video Preview with Auto-Switch paused, play triangle showing

    To fully end Auto-Switch on Windows, click Record & Playback, then go back to Video Preview. The ‘Views are playing in sequence’ warning goes away and the View list works normally again. The current view stays on screen. Pause, the previous / next group buttons and the Start Auto-Switch label do not end it.

    Pause or stop on Mac

    On Mac, the left label changes to Stop Auto-Switch while the sequence runs.

    Viewtron VMS for Mac left panel showing the Stop Auto-Switch label while the sequence runs

    • To pause: click the two-bar button on the bottom-right toolbar. It changes to a play triangle and the current view stays on screen. Click it again to resume.
    • To stop: click Stop Auto-Switch in the left panel. The toolbar buttons and interval box go away and the label returns to Start Auto-Switch.

    Viewtron VMS for Mac toolbar close-up showing the pause button and 20s interval

    Viewtron VMS for Mac toolbar close-up showing the play triangle while Auto-Switch is paused

    Tip: “Views are playing in sequence” message

    If you click a view row or checkbox while Auto-Switch is on, you will see “Views are playing in sequence. Please operate after stopping the auto switch.” (On Mac it is a Warning dialog.) This means the sequence is still on, even if it is paused. The Yes button only closes the message; it does not stop the sequence. On Mac, click Stop Auto-Switch first, then edit your views.

    Viewtron Security Camera Software for Mac and Windows

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