DVRs and Remote Viewing

[intelliGEORGE]

If you wish to view your DVR over the internet, and it is behind a Router, you will need to use "Port Forwarding" in your router.

You need to configure an IP address in the DVR and port forward to it in the router. This IP address has to be in the same Gateway range as the Router, if you are unsure of what IP range you need to be in, check the Router and locate the Status section, or goto;

START
RUN
CMD
IPCONFIG /all

Look for Gateway. If the Gateway is for example 192.168.1.1, then you can make the DVR's IP anything from 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.255.

You will also need to use the same SubNet Mask, which is typically 255.255.255.0, and also use the same gateway.

Next Find out what port the DVR uses. Easiest way is to read the DVR manual. Look for the network section of it. Also, if it comes with network software, check to see if in the connection area of it, if it shows a port number. Also check the server software/Programming (Network section of it) to see if a port is listed. Alot of times it can also be as simple as just Port 80, which is an HTTP port.

Now to access the Router itself, use the Gateway you just located.
If the gateway is 192.168.1.1, then enter that into the Browser location and click enter.

A username and password is typically required but it will depend on the router. For Linksys use "admin", "admin", for DLinks normally by default it doesnt require a user or password. Check the link at the end of this to find your router.

Then, once logged into the Router, in the Applications & Gaming Section / Servers of the Router, you need to add a Server/Application. Call it whatever you like.

Enter the port number and select TCP only.

Where it sais Port 0 to 0 enter the same port number twice.
Or if the DVR uses for example, ports 3550, 4550, 5550, 6550, and there is nothing else utilizing the ports in between, then you can actually just enter one line, 3550 - 6550.

Enter the DVR's IP address.

Enable it.

EXAMPLE

If the port was 1024, and the Local IP is 192.168.1.200, then it would be:

NAME = Remote View (Anything you want)
Port = 1024 TO 1024
TCP/UDP = TCP
LOCAL IP = 192.168.1.200
ENABLED = CHECKED

OR

NAME = Remote View (Anything you want)
Port = 3550 TO 6550
TCP/UDP = TCP
LOCAL IP = 192.168.1.200
ENABLED = CHECKED

Set up additional entries for as many ports the DVR uses, to the same local IP. Check your DVR manual and it's networking section for all additional ports required. Also check the DVR software itself.

If the router has enough free entries, then seperate them, use it like DVR_HTTP for the browser port, DVR_AUDIO for the audio port, etc.

If you are going to use VNC to a PC DVR, then you would need to set up port 5900, and perhaps call it VNC_DVR, for example.

Using Port Forwarding, using your static IP / DDNS from outside, and the DVR/Camera software, or Browser, it will connect to the DVR/Cameras Internal IP and port.

Next, it depends on the port and DVR. If it is using port 80 or you are connecting via Internet Explorer, you can goto DynDns.org and get a free account, set up a name and enter your static IP. This will be a DDNS connection.

With the Linksys router for example, you can enter your account info in the Router's DDNS section, and it will update it regularly so you never need a static IP.

Other routers also have this feature and support various DDNS companies.

Also, in the router, some stand alones require the DMZ to be enabled for that internal IP. PC DVRs never need it as far as I know, and I would not recommend it for a PC system.

To find out specifics on the type of Router you are using, visit:

[IPAlarms]

Now there's a Sticky if ever I saw one. Well written ;-)

[intelliGEORGE]

My thoughts never get Stickies here! lol

[mal]

Well done the only thing I do is change the port from 80 as IT people tend to disslike u using port 80

the dns service I use is

it's free

[Sydneytech]

Well done George,

You should write a book on this subject. I have pointed our techies to this site just to read the information you have offered here an in the tools thread.

Well Done

S.D.

[intelliGEORGE]

Well done George,

You should write a book on this subject. I have pointed our techies to this site just to read the information you have offered here an in the tools thread.

Well Done

S.D.

Educating the public and fellow techs helps maintain a standard of quality. So many times people are misinformed about CCTV which is driving consumers to opt for the cheaper rather than the effective.

Have you walked into a night club and noticed mini dome "PCB" cameras in very low light environments? (was that a $50 dollar note or a $20???)

Or found a service station with one camera looking at a 10m wide driveway and the attendant still scratching his head as to why he cannot read number plates?

I just replaced 32 camera lens' on one site this week because some ELECTRICIAN installed 32 cameras outdoors with manual iris lens'.

Mind you these cameras were installed and focused on an overcast day, so when we had bright sunny days here in Sydney last week all the images blew out due to the iris being open too much.