How to Remote Access a DVR

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Access your surveillance DVR through the Internet.

Setting up a surveillance MPEG-4 DVR to access video remotely over the Internet allows you to keep track of what is going on in your home when you are not there. Surveillance DVRs come standard with motion detecting, time and date stamping, and remote Internet monitoring. Setting up the surveillance DVR for remote access requires a number of steps. When you are finished, you can access your DVR remotely from any computer.

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Create and Configure a Dynamic DNS Account

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Step 1

Go to the DynDNS website. Use the link in the "Resources" section. Click "Sign Up Free," then "Sign Up." Create a user generated host name. Leave the "Wildcard" box blank. Click "Host with IP Address" under "Service Type." Type your IP address that is displayed into the "IP Address" field. Leave the "Mail Routing" box unchecked, and click "DVR" under "Remote Access for Devices." Click "Add to Cart."

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Step 2

Create an account by filling in the required fields. Click "Create Account."

Step 3

Click on the link in the confirmation email you receive and log in to your account. Click "My Services," "My Hosts," and "Add Host Services." Create a user-generated hostname prefix and "dyndns.com" from the drop-down box. Leave the other fields blank except for the "IP Address" field that already has your IP address displayed. Click "Add Host."

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Set Up a Dynamic DNS on the Router

Step 1

Open the routers control panel by typing the IP address into your Web browser. Enter your username and password.

Step 2

Click the "Tools" tab, then click the "DDNS" button in the left sidebar.

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Step 3

Click "Enabled" in the "DDNS" field. Enter "DynDns.org" in the "Server Address" field. Enter the hostname that was set up with you "DynDns" account and the username and password. Click "Apply."

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Connect the MPEG-4 DVR and Locate the DVRs IP Address

Step 1

Connect the DVR to the router using the Cat-5 Ethernet cable. Connect the DVR to the monitor using the cable it came with. Power the DVR on.

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Step 2

Push the "Menu" button on the DVR. Push the right arrow button labeled "D-Zoom." until the "Link" menu is highlighted on the screen. Click "Network" and push the "Status" button on the DVR. Write down the DVRs port number and IP address.

Step 3

Click "ESC" on the DVR twice. Click "Save and Exit" on the screen and the "Status" button the DVR to exit.

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Setting up a Virtual Service on the Router

Step 1

Enter the routers IP address into your Web browser to access the control panel. Enter the user name and password. Click the "Advanced" tab, then click "Virtual Server."

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Step 2

Click the "Enabled" button and enter in a user-generated name for the service in the "Name" field. Enter the IP address of your DVR in the "Private IP" field. Enter "TCP" in the "Protocol Type" field. Type "5500" in the "Private Port" and "Public Port" field. Click "Always" in the "Schedule" filed.

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Step 3

Click"Apply" to save the new settings.

Install the Remote Viewer Software for Remote Internet Access

Step 1

Download the latest DVR software using the link in the "Resources" section. Unzip the software by double-clicking on the zip file. Click "Setup.exe" and follow the instructions to install the software.

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Step 2

Double-click the "DVR Viewer" icon on the desktop. Leave the password field bank and click "OK."

Step 3

Click the "DVR List" button at the top of the menu next to the "Globe" icon. Leave the password field blank and click "OK."

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Step 4

Check the "Use DDNS" box. Enter a user-generated name in the "DVR Name" field. Enter "5400" in the "IP/Port/MAC" field. Enter the hostname that was set up with the DynDns service in the "Domain Name" field. Enter the password for the DVR in the "Password" field. The default password is "11111111" if one was not set up. Click the "Add" button.

Step 5

Click the DVR name that is displayed in the "DVR List." Click "Connect." Enter "11111111" as the default password when prompted. Click "OK."

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