One Source. Infinite Remote Views.
Hikvision & Magewell IP Camera Distribution

What Is the Magewell Pro Convert IP to HDMI?

Before we get into the architecture, it helps to understand what the Magewell Pro Convert IP to HDMI actually does — because it's the key piece of hardware that makes this whole solution possible.

In simple terms, it is a small standalone hardware box that connects to your network via Ethernet and outputs video to a TV or monitor via HDMI. You don't need a PC, you don't need any software installed, and you don't need any technical knowledge to operate it day-to-day.

What makes it particularly powerful is its built-in multiviewer capability — which we'll explain in detail below.

Scenario 1 — One Site, Five Remote Outlets

This is the most common deployment we see. A business has Hikvision IP cameras at their main location and needs remote staff — whether at other offices, branches, retail outlets or departments — to be able to view those camera feeds live on a standard TV screen.

Scenario 2 — Multiple Camera Sites, Multiple Remote Outlets

As businesses grow, cameras often spread across multiple locations — a head office, a warehouse, a depot, a retail unit. The good news is the architecture scales effortlessly to handle this.

In this scenario, cameras at Location A (head office), Location B (warehouse) and Location C (car park) all push their individual streams to the same cloud gateway. The gateway hosts all streams under one unified system, and each remote outlet's Magewell Pro Convert decoder can pull any combination of those streams — giving different departments the ability to view exactly the cameras most relevant to them.

Supported Protocols — Works With Your Existing Setup

One of the biggest advantages of the Magewell Pro Convert IP to HDMI is that it speaks the same language as your existing Hikvision cameras and network infrastructure — no reconfiguration needed.

All Hikvision IP cameras output RTSP streams natively — meaning the Magewell decoder can connect directly to your cameras without any additional configuration or software. It also supports SRT for encrypted contribution over public internet, and NDI for integration with broadcast production workflows.

This Is Not Just a Security Solution — Who Benefits From This Architecture

While IP camera distribution is often associated with CCTV and security, the Hikvision and Magewell Pro Convert architecture described in this guide applies to virtually any organisation that needs to capture, distribute and view live video across multiple locations simultaneously. The hardware does not care what the camera is pointed at — it simply moves the video where it needs to go.

Here is a breakdown of who is already using this setup and why:

Live Collaboration — Multiple Organisations, One Stream

One capability that is increasingly in demand — particularly in broadcast, medical and defence sectors — is the ability for multiple separate organisations to collaborate around a shared live video feed in real time.

Consider a live sporting event. The host broadcaster distributes camera feeds via the cloud gateway. Simultaneously: the home club's media team clips social content, the away club's coaching staff review tactical camera angles, the national governing body monitors broadcast compliance, a sponsor's marketing team watches for brand exposure, and a third-party streaming partner pushes the feed to international audiences — all from the same four camera streams, all independently, all live.

Or consider a surgical training scenario. A teaching hospital performs a complex procedure. The live multi-camera feed is distributed simultaneously to the observation gallery on site, a partner hospital 200 miles away, a medical university lecture theatre, and an international conference watching remotely. Each location receives the same high-quality stitched multiview feed on their Magewell Pro Convert decoder — connected to a standard screen, with no software, no PC and no technical operator required at the remote end.

This level of collaboration was previously only available to organisations with significant broadcast infrastructure budgets. The Hikvision and Magewell combination makes it accessible to any organisation with a standard internet connection and a TV screen.

Traditional PC Setup vs. Magewell Hardware Decoder — Cost Comparison

The instinct for many IT managers is to put a PC at each remote location running video management software. Here is why that approach costs significantly more in the long run: