Your laptop and DVR need to be on the same "street" to talk.
Disclaimer: Always follow local privacy laws. Do not use these methods to view security cameras in areas where you do not have explicit permission to access the footage. how to connect dvr directly to laptop
Modern DVRs (HD-TVI, AHD, or hybrid DVRs) often have an HDMI output. You cannot plug this into your laptop’s HDMI port (output-only), but you can convert it using an HDMI capture device. Your laptop and DVR need to be on the same "street" to talk