View security cams remotely?

Da Mail Man

Da Mail Man

Active Member
not sure if this is the correct place for this - if not, admins please move it.

I have security cameras at my residence. I want to view them remotely over the internet from any other computer (even out of state) if i am away.

1)....I have broadband.

2)....from the cable model, the cat-5 cable is connected to a linksys 4 port router (not wireless).

3)....from there i have a few lines connected to the router ports feeding other computers.

4)... In 1 port, i have connected a linksys wireless g broadband router. The power, wlan, internet lights are lit on the wireless router.

5)....on the back of my DVR (security camera recorder) there is a net port as well as usb ports.

6)...I have plugged in a linksys wireless "g" usb network adapter (modelwusb54g) into the usb port as the directions dictate. the power is "on" but, no "link"light.

I see setting in "network" for my dvr in the set-up menu and here is where i am totally stuck. Along with that, what will i log into when I attempt to view my cams from another computer??,,,,,,Has anyone ever done this? Thanks for any help and NO, i do not want to go all wireless and eliminate the hard wired 4 port router mentioned).
 
If your security cameras are capable of being viewed over a network, then I would advise connecting them with a wired ethernet connection (I believe you said you have one on the DVR?) The wireless won't work, as there is no driver for the adapter.

Once that has been connected, try and determine the IP address for the DVR. You can find this either through the DVR interface (maybe) or through the routing table on your router. If you can't find it, go into the network settings on the DVR and give the DVR a static IP address that falls in your network (it would fall within the router range. You can determine this information by opening a command prompt and type ipconfig. Take down the IP address of that computer, but change the last section of numbers to something like 199, so if your computer had an IP address of 192.168.1.10, set the IP address of the DVR to 192.168.1.199, and the subnet mask will probably be 255.255.255.0. For the default gateway, copy the IP address that is displayed on your computer.)

Once you configure the IP address, try typing that address into the address bar of a computer attached to your network. If you get something like a web interface, then you're good and can continue. If nothing happens, then I'd suggest calling the manufacturer to see if this can even be done.
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If you can view the cameras on your network:

You'll need to forward a port on your router to the IP address of the DVR. I don't know the specific port, consult your owners manual for the DVR. In your router settings look for "Port Forwarding". Type the IP address of the DVR in the IP address sections, input your port number, and set it for TCP/UDP (may be called both).

You'll then need to determine your public IP address. Go to Google and do a search for "My IP address". That is your public IP address. Once you configure the port forwarding correctly, you just type that address into an address bar of a computer or your phone and you should be able to see the cameras.

Do note that you most likely have a dynamic IP address assigned to you, so it will occasionally change. Just do a Google search for your IP address occasionally and note if it changes.
 
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THANKS FOR THE REPLY!

If your security cameras are capable of being viewed over a network,
yes, they are

then I would advise connecting them with a wired ethernet connection (I believe you said you have one on the DVR?)
have to be wireless - cannot do hard wire at this time. i have the port but, distance/cabling are not do-able

Once that has been connected,
see above

try and determine the IP address for the DVR. You can find this either through the DVR interface (maybe) or through the routing table on your router.
i can go to a setup page and apparently see all of this (i think), but, right now it isn't steering me anywhere.

Once you know the IP address,
i believe i saw that in the set up as mentioned above.

try typing that address into the address bar of a computer attached to your network.
before i try this, (again, i am wireless) make not that the wireless device i have mentioned and connected to the dvr has power but, no "link" with the wireless router (as previously mentioned). no link to wireless router which is connected to the hard wired router, this would be a waste of time(?).

If you get something like a web interface, then you're good and can continue. If nothing happens, then I'd suggest calling the manufacturer to see if this can even be done.
1st i have to establish a link between the dvr's wireless unit and the wireless router which i don't apparently have. then, i have to be able to somehow log into something somehow to see my cameras and i mean from any other computer (like out of state).
______________________________

If you can view the cameras on your network:
see above
Once you have the IP address (if you can, try and configure it in the DVR to be a static IP address) you'll need to forward a port (I don't know which since it's not a standard port) to the IP address of the DVR.
???
You'll then need to determine your public IP address. Go to Google and do a search for "My IP address". That is your public IP address. Once you configure the port forwarding correctly, you just type that address into an address bar of a computer or your phone and you should be able to see the cameras.
totally stumped here! too much, too soon, little understanding!...have to establish the links of the equipment first before i can do anything else.
 
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Please re-read my post, as I have edited it. You won't be able to use the wireless because:

A: There is no driver for it

and

B: There is no way for you to connect to a wireless network.

You're going to need to hardwire it with ethernet cable.
 
THANKS FOR THE REPLY AGAIN.

Please re-read my post, as I have edited it. You won't be able to use the wireless because:
not sure where you edited it! but, reading the rest of your recent post, makes little sense to re-read it.

A: There is no driver for it
but, should it not be as any other wireless unit? what is connected to the dvr usb port would typically be connected to a computer (laptop, etc, yeah, i know those have possible drivers) but, would not the small wireless unit (suppose the transmitter for lack of a better phrase) i had mentioned and connected be "configured" for that by design?

and

B: There is no way for you to connect to a wireless network.
because of the above?

You're going to need to hardwire it with ethernet cable.
$^&(&I*^!!...if i were able to do that (and i cannot), if i were at a computer out of state, how would i access the cameras?
 
You NEED to hardwire it. There is no way to use wireless on it, unless it was a wireless DVR that had wireless capabilities built in. The USB port is most likely meant for external hard drives. It won't work with a wireless adapter. You're not going to be able to access the DVR from another computer unless you hardwire it.

Once you hardwire it and configure everything, all you need to do is put your public IP address (explained in my original post) then you just go to a browser on any computer and type that public IP address into the address bar and you'll be able to use the web interface to view your cameras.
 
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voyagerfan99 said:
You NEED to hardwire it. There is no way to use wireless on it, unless it was a wireless DVR that had wireless capabilities built in. The USB port is most likely meant for external hard drives. It won't work with a wireless adapter. You're not going to be able to access the DVR from another computer unless you hardwire it.
Click to expand...

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could be for external hd's as well as "mice"....do you think there is any "unit" one could connect to the cat 5 net port on the dvr to do wireless?...Also, could you/ did you come up with an answer for:

"if i were able to do that (and i cannot), if i were at a computer out of state, how would i access the cameras?"
 
Da Mail Man said:
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could be for external hd's as well as "mice"....do you think there is any "unit" one could connect to the cat 5 net port on the dvr to do wireless?...Also, could you/ did you come up with an answer for:

"if i were able to do that (and i cannot), if i were at a computer out of state, how would i access the cameras?"
Click to expand...

I already told you how to access the cameras from anywhere.

voyagerfan99 said:
Once you hardwire it and configure everything, all you need to do is put your public IP address (explained in my original post) then you just go to a browser on any computer and type that public IP address into the address bar and you'll be able to use the web interface to view your cameras.
Click to expand...

You could get something like this to use it wirelessly. I have two at my house and they work well. (Sorry I didn't think of it earlier - I had surgery today and am still slightly loopy).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156258
 
Originally Posted by Da Mail Man View Post
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could be for external hd's as well as "mice"....do you think there is any "unit" one could connect to the cat 5 net port on the dvr to do wireless?...Also, could you/ did you come up with an answer for:

"if i were able to do that (and i cannot), if i were at a computer out of state, how would i access the cameras?"

I already told you how to access the cameras from anywhere.

************************************
You'll then need to determine your public IP address. Go to Google and do a search for "My IP address". That is your public IP address. Once you configure the port forwarding correctly, you just type that address into an address bar of a computer or your phone and you should be able to see the cameras.
OK, I THINK I FOLLOW YOU

Do note that you most likely have a dynamic IP address assigned to you, so it will occasionally change. Just do a Google search for your IP address occasionally and note if it changes.
SO, BASED ON YOUR NARRATIVE HERE, I WOULD BELLY-UP TO SOMEONES' COMPUTER (AWAY FROM HOME), ERASE ANYTHING IN THE ADDRESS BAR AND TYPE WHATEVER MY IP ADDRESS IS THAT I DETERMINED FROM HOME (WHEN I WAS THERE) AND THAT WILL GET ME INTO THE DVR?...SHOULD THE IP ADDRESS HAVE CHANGED AS YOU HAVE INDICATED, HOW WOULD THAT SEARCH BE PUT IN (CONDUCTED) GOOGLE"?..IN OTHER WORDS, I COULD BE CHANGING SOME PORTION OF THE IP ADDRESS NUMBER FOR DAYS. IS THERE A SCAN OR SOME OTHER METHOD? (PS CAPS HERE ARE NOT YELLING).
 
Yes you're correct. The IP address can stay for a few days or even a few weeks. I hosted a Minecraft server from my house and my IP only changed every few weeks. If it does change while you're away, you could have a friend or relative stop by your house and determine the IP address for you. Or if you leave a computer on all the time, you could use something like TeamViewer or LogMeIn to remotely access the PC and do the Google search through the remotely accessed computer.

I don't know of any specific scan that can be run besides a simple "What's my IP" Google search.
 
Yes you're correct. The IP address can stay for a few days or even a few weeks. I hosted a Minecraft server from my house and my IP only changed every few weeks. If it does change while you're away, you could have a friend or relative stop by your house and determine the IP address for you.
THAT KILLED THAT IDEA FAST!..ALL MY FRIENDS LIVE 60 MILES ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA (THEY REGRETTED IT WHEN WE HAD THE HURRICANES OF 2004!) AND NO RELATIVES IN THIS STATE

Or if you leave a computer on all the time, you could use something like TeamViewer or LogMeIn to remotely access the PC and do the Google search through the remotely accessed computer.
I HAVE TEAM VIEWER BUT, WITH THE LIGHTNING DOWN HERE WHEN IT RAINS, THAT IS TOO MUCH OF A RISK.

I don't know of any specific scan that can be run besides a simple "What's my IP" Google search.
YEAH, ME NEITHER.....THANKS AGAIN FOR THE REPLY - I AM SCREWED!
 
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