How to watch your CCTV cameras on a Samsung Smart TV

A big TV is a good screen for security cameras: someone at the door, the shop counter, the pet or the baby, all without picking up a phone. There are four practical ways to get camera feeds onto a Samsung Smart TV, and each has trade-offs.

1. HDMI from the recorder

Most NVRs and DVRs have an HDMI output. Run a cable to a TV and the recorder's own interface appears on the screen. It is simple and reliable, and it also gives playback of recordings. The drawbacks are the cable run and that the TV becomes dedicated to the recorder.

2. Cast or mirror from a phone

Open the camera maker's phone app and cast or screen-mirror it to the TV. It needs no extra hardware, but it ties up your phone, can be laggy, and the phone has to stay on and nearby.

3. The camera brand's TV app

Some brands publish a Smart TV app. Check the Samsung TV app store for your camera's brand. Support varies a lot by brand and model, and many brands have no Samsung TV app.

4. An RTSP or ONVIF viewer app on the TV

Cameras and recorders that offer RTSP or ONVIF can be shown by a generic viewer app, whatever the brand. The TV connects over your home or office network straight to the camera. This works across brands, but the TV and cameras must be on the same local network, and you need the device's address and login. Our guide on finding your camera's RTSP URL explains how.

Which should you choose?

• Want playback and the most reliable picture: HDMI from the recorder.
• Need a quick look occasionally: cast from your phone.
• Mixed brands, no cables, live viewing on an existing TV: an RTSP/ONVIF viewer app.

Limits to know about

• Live video can arrive a few seconds behind real time, so none of these replaces an alarm system.
• Cloud-only Wi-Fi cameras without RTSP or ONVIF will not work with a viewer app.
• Use the lower-resolution stream if your network is slow, and the main stream when you want detail.
• Make sure you have the legal right to view any camera you connect.

GroverHQ Camera Viewer

GroverHQ Camera Viewer is a live-view app for Samsung Smart TVs in India that finds cameras on your network or lets you add one by IP address, and works with IP cameras and NVR/DVR channels that offer RTSP or ONVIF. It is live view only: no recording and no playback. The free version shows standard definition with a small watermark, and an optional ₹99 per month + GST unlock removes the watermark and adds HD. It is coming soon to the Samsung TV Store.

Samsung is a trademark of Samsung. Camera brand names belong to their owners. GroverHQ is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, Samsung or any camera brand.