Security Camera System Remote Viewing Setup
Port Forwarding and DDNS Setup for Viewtron DVRs and NVRs
Watch this video to learn how to setup remote security camera viewing for Viewtron surveillance systems. This concepts and setup in this video are applicable to
Viewtron hybrid security camera DVRs and Viewtron IP camera NVRs. Although the iPhone app is being used in the video, network port forwarding setup and DDNS setup is the same for iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows remote access.
**Important note: the port forwarding method described in this article in NOT the only way to setup remote security camera viewing. There is a simpler way here to
setup remote security camera viewing from the Viewtron mobile app without port forwarding. Most customers use the method without port forwarding because it is so much simpler to setup.
In addition to the above video, you can also follow the below instructions to learn how to setup Viewtron security camera systems for remote viewing access.
Connect DVR / NVR to Router
In order to view your security cameras remotely, you need to connect your DVR or NVR to an Internet connection. The above diagram shows how this is typically done.
- The DVR or NVR connects to a network router using CAT5 or CAT6 network cable (orange line).
- The network router is connected to an Internet modem with network cable (orange line). The modem may be a cable modem, DSL modem, fiber optic modem, or any other modem.
- The green lines between the security cameras and the recorder represent network cable if you are using an IP camera NVR. They represent coaxial cable if you are using a hybrid BNC camera DVR (CCTV).
In order to view your security cameras remotely, you will setup remote access to your DVR / NVR by forwarding two ports on your router. Viewtron DVRs and NVRs require that two ports are forwarded. In order to setup port forwarding on your router, you need to know what IP address your router has assigned to your DVR / NVR.
Using the USB mouse included with your recorder, login and navigate to the Network settings screen. Select Settings from the main menu. Then, select Network.
On the Network screen, the TCP/IP settings are displayed. Make sure that the Obtain an IPV4 address automatically & Obtain DNS automatically are checked. Click on the Apply button to save the settings. Make note of the IP address (as seen above). Next, click on the Port link in the sub-menu (next to TCP/IP).
On the Port screen, make note of the the HTTP and server port. The default ports used by Viewtron recorders are 80 and 6036. These are the 2 ports that you need to setup port forwarding rules for on your router.
Port Forwarding Router Setup
The exact process to setup port forwarding varies based on the make and model of the router that you are using. This is a screenshot from a LinkSys router. One of the most common residential and small business brands.
This is where you forward the two ports that Viewtron DVRs and NVRs use, 80 and 6036.
Here are links port forwarding instructions for some of the most commonly used residential and small business network routers.
DDNS Setup (Dynamic Domain Name Service)
Most residential and small business Internet service connections use a dynamic IP address. This means that the Internet service provider (ISP) may change the IP address assigned to your connection at any time. If you loose power or intentionally reboot your modem, you may be assigned a new IP address by your ISP. Viewtron DVRs, NVRs, and IP cameras have a built-in service
called DDNS (dynamic domain name service) to keep track of your Internet connection's IP address for you, in case it changes. Why is this important? Because if your IP address were to change without you knowing it, you would no longer be able to remotely connect to your security camera system. Please note that if your Internet connection uses a static IP address, you do not need to setup DDNS.
To setup the DDNS service on your DVR or NVR navigate to the network settings screen again by selecting Settings from the main menu. Then, select Network.
- On the main Network settings page, click on the DDNS link.
- Check the Enable checkbox.
- Select www.autoddns.com from the DDNS Type dropdown.
- Choose a unique prefix for the name you will use to access your DVR. In my example, I chose "mike22".
- Click on the Register button. The DVR will check with the autoddns service to see if the name that you chose is available. If it is not available, please choose a different one.
- After your domain is verified as available, click on the Apply button and close this screen.
Your DVR / NVR will now keep your unique domain name in sync with the IP address of your Internet connection.
Mobile App / Desktop Software Setup
Now that port forwarding and DDNS are setup, you may configure the mobile apps and desktop software that you plan on using to access your security cameras remotely. It is recommended that when you access your cameras while on the same network as your DVR / NVR, that you use the local area network IP address assigned to your DVR by your router. In our above example, this would be "192.168.1.143". When you access your system from remotely over the Internet (not of WIFI at the location of your DVR), you use the DDNS domain name that you setup. In our example, "mike22.autoddns.com".
Now that port forwarding and DDNS is setup, you can configure the mobile apps and desktop software that you intend on using. Here are links to docs that show where the settings are entered for each software app. You can find the latest
links to download Viewtron apps and VMS software here.
Learn more about Viewtron Security Camera DVRs / NVRs
Learn more about the latest
Viewtron Hybrid Security Camera DVRs and NVRs for IP cameras with built-in PoE here.
Hybrid DVRs work with Analog CCTV, Network IP, and HD BNC Security Cameras
Users can mix and match different camera technologies. This is perfect for customers that have existing CCTV cameras and want to upgrade to high definition over time. Hybrid iDVR-PROs work with the following security camera types and resolutions.
- 4K BNC Security Cameras
- AHD Cameras (720p, 1080p / 2mp, 3mp, 4mp, 5mp, 4K / 8mp / 4K)
- HD-TVI Cameras (720p, 1080p / 2mp, 3mp, 4mp, 5mp, 4K / 8mp / 4K)
- HD-CVI Cameras (720p, 1080p / 2mp, 3mp, 4mp, 5mp, 4K / 8mp / 4K)
- Network IP Cameras - ONVIF compatible IP cameras up to 4K resolution supported
- Analog CCTV Cameras (all analog resolution supported including CIF, D1, 960H)
Complete Security Camera Systems
Did you know? CCTV Camera Pros can provide a complete surveillance system quote that includes any Viewtron DVR or NVR model? We can include security cameras, cables, connectors, power supplies, and monitors. We can even mix and match IP cameras and HD BNC security cameras because Viewtron DVRs are hybrid. This means that they work with just about any type of security camera. As you have probably already seen on our website, we have 2, 4, 8, and 16 camera surveillance systems in pre-made packages. However, it is not possible for us to package up every combination and quantity of all the different camera models that we carry. So, we can also provide you with a custom quote with as many cameras as you need and a mix of any combination of camera model(s) based on your project requirements. Please
request a quote when you are ready.
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