Viewing security cameras connected to a DVR

Support and Help
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I am having difficulty accessing my Lorex security cameras that are connected to a Lorex DVR. I would be grateful for any help.

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Hello tinman456, :wave:
Welcome to the community!

To help us assist you more effectively, could you please edit your post and use the Ubuntu Support Template? This really helps others understand your setup and provide accurate guidance.

In addition, please include the following details:

  • Exact Lorex DVR model

  • How you are trying to view the cameras

    • From the local network (LAN)
    • Or remotely over the internet

  • Method of access

    • Web browser
    • Lorex desktop/mobile app

  • Any error messages shown, if applicable

  • Did this ever work before, or is this a new issue?

  • Any recent changes (network, router, IP address, updates, etc.)

Once you add these details using the template, it will be much easier for the community to help you :+1:
Looking forward to your update.

2 Likes
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Hi MesterPerfect and thanks for replying. I have all that information at hand but can you show me where I can get to the Support Template?

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Ubuntu Support Template

Ubuntu Version:
Example: 22.04 LTS, 24.04, 25.10

Desktop Environment (if applicable):
Example: GNOME, KDE Plasma, XFCE, Budgie, etc.

Problem Description:
Describe what you’re trying to do and what happens instead.
If you can easily reproduce the problem, include the steps so others can try.

Example:

Open Settings → Displays
Try to change resolution
Screen goes black

Relevant System Information:
Include any details that might help (e.g., hardware, drivers, or special configurations).

Screenshots or Error Messages:
If applicable, paste error messages or screenshots.
We prefer copy-pasted text and screenshots instead of photos of screens.

For multi-line text or logs, wrap them in triple backticks like this or highlight the text and use </> in the composer:

sudo dmesg | tail -20

What I’ve Tried:
List the solutions or workarounds you’ve already attempted.

Before Posting:
:mag: Please check if similar issues have already been reported and resolved.

:blue_book: See the “Start here” guide:

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Hi tinman456, no problem :+1:

When you create a new topic in the Support & Help section, the Ubuntu Support Template is shown automatically in the editor.

You can simply edit your original post and add the required information using this template:

Ubuntu Support Template

**Ubuntu Version**:
Example: 22.04 LTS, 24.04, 25.10

**Desktop Environment (if applicable)**:
Example: GNOME, KDE Plasma, XFCE, Budgie, etc.

**Problem Description**:
Describe what you’re trying to do and what happens instead.
If you can easily reproduce the problem, include the steps so others can try.

Example:

Open Settings → Displays
Try to change resolution
Screen goes black

**Relevant System Information**:
Include any details that might help (e.g., hardware, drivers, or special configurations).

**Screenshots or Error Messages**:
If applicable, paste error messages or screenshots.
We prefer copy-pasted text and screenshots instead of photos of screens.

For multi-line text or logs, wrap them in triple backticks like this or highlight the text and use </> in the composer:

`sudo dmesg | tail -20`

**What I’ve Tried**:
List the solutions or workarounds you’ve already attempted.

**Before Posting**:
:mag: Please check if similar issues have already been reported and resolved.

:blue_book: See the “Start here” guide:
https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/welcome-to-support-and-help/49951

Once you update your original post with this information, it will be much easier for the community to help you.

1 Like
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Gotcha. Will do. I’ll do it asap. Thank you

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Great :+1:
No problem at all. Take your time, and we’ll be happy to help once you’ve updated the post.

1 Like
8

Hi again MesterPerfect

Hope this will do

Ubuntu Version :
24.04.3 LTS

Desktop Environment (if applicable) :
GNOME.

Problem Description :
I am trying to find a Linux program that will allow me to view my Lorex cameras that are connected to a Lorex D881 DVR that has a graphical interface (preferred)

Relevant System Information :
I am using an HP Pavilion DV4 Laptop with 12GB of RAM.

Screenshots or Error Messages :
Not applicable at the moment I don’t think

What I’ve Tried :
I can get the Lorex Cloud app to work under WINE and I can also see them in my Chromium browser using the DVRs IP address and I can also see them in VLC (although I had a party figuring out the RTSP stuff) but I would really like to get a native Linux app to work as well.

I have installed Zoneminder but I admit it is really difficult for me to get it going. There is a lot of configuration details that I am just not familiar with. I have also tried other recommended apps but with zero result.

Any help will be appreciated.

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Hi tinman456, thanks for the detailed update — that helps a lot :+1:

Short answer first: there is unfortunately no official or well-maintained native Linux GUI client from Lorex for DVR viewing. Most Linux users end up using one of the methods you already discovered.

That said, here are the realistic native Linux options, with some context so expectations are clear:

:one: VLC (RTSP) — most common and reliable

Since you already managed RTSP in VLC, you’re actually using the most stable native solution available.

  • You can save RTSP streams as playlist entries so you don’t have to reconfigure them.
  • VLC supports multiple streams and full-screen layouts, though the UI isn’t DVR-like.

This is what many Linux users settle on long-term.

:two: MotionEye / MotionEyeOS (lighter than ZoneMinder)

If ZoneMinder feels overwhelming, that’s very normal.
You might find MotionEye easier:

  • Web-based UI (simple, clean)
  • Works well with RTSP cameras
  • Less powerful than ZoneMinder, but far easier to configure

It still won’t fully replicate the Lorex DVR interface, but it’s more approachable.

:three: ZoneMinder (powerful, but complex)

You’re not wrong — ZoneMinder has a steep learning curve.
It’s best if:

  • You want recording, alerts, motion detection
  • You’re willing to invest time learning it

If your goal is just viewing, it’s probably overkill.

:four: Browser access (Chromium/Firefox)

Since your DVR’s web interface works:

  • This is actually a valid and supported approach
  • Some Lorex DVRs use HTML5 now, others rely on legacy plugins

Not elegant, but native and stable.

2 Likes
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Thank you so very much MesterPerfect for that detailed response. Pretty disappointing that nobody in our Linux community has yet developed a proper solution for viewing these DVR cameras, isn’t it. There are a ton of them available for Windows.

Anyway many thanks again you have been extermely helpful. I’ll take a look at MotionEye and see what happens.

Happy New Year to you and yours…

11

You’re very welcome, tinman456 — I’m glad the explanation was helpful :+1:

And yes, I completely agree with you: it is a bit disappointing that there isn’t a polished, vendor-style Linux client for these DVRs yet. Hopefully that changes one day.

If you feel that this answer helped clarify your options, it would be great if you could mark the post that helped you as the solution. This helps other users with the same question find a clear answer more easily in the future.

Thanks again, and good luck with MotionEye — I hope it works out well for your setup.
Happy New Year to you too! :tada:

1 Like
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