View Security Cameras Online

RealGem

Hi, 

I bought a wired Swann security system in 2014 and they still work, (2 cameras with DVR, but 4 channels, so you could in theory add two more cameras). And I used it in my old place. It came with free cloud storage and I only logged in once or twice. As it also saved up to two weeks' worth of footage to the DVR I just used to use that with my own monitor. Since I moved house I didn't feel I needed to have the cameras up, so it's been in its box up to now.

Now I am going to be away sometimes, so I want to set it up. But as these cameras were bought in 2014, the login page on Swann's website no longer exists. And all their new cameras seem to be wi-fi cameras. Not sure if that makes a difference to my issue or not. 

So the hardware still works, and connects directly to the router. How can I view it online from anywhere?

Do I need to use OBS (open broadcast software)?

I don't mind using that software to set it up, but I was hoping to avoid using a laptop switched on and plugged in the whole time I'm away. 

Does anyone know if it can be done without using a laptop?

Thank you

[Deleted User]

Which model NVR is it?

Probably still supported, most of the Swann NVR's host their own webpage which you log in to with a unique URL re-directed by DDNS, so if the system is not currently powered up and connected then you won't be able to login and won't see the webpage.

So the main website is still running for the DDNS redirect:

http://www.swanndvr.net/

but you will access it via something like:

mycameras.swanndvr.net/

Which won't work unless your NVR is online.

You can of course use any DDNS service you like, you aren't tied to Swann for this.

They also have the Swanview software / app for some models, again, model number really useful in determining what you can do.

RealGem

Deleted_User said:

Which model NVR is it?

Probably still supported, most of the Swann NVR's host their own webpage which you log in to with a unique URL re-directed by DDNS, so if the system is not currently powered up and connected then you won't be able to login and won't see the webpage.

So the main website is still running for the DDNS redirect:

http://www.swanndvr.net/

but you will access it via something like:

mycameras.swanndvr.net/

Which won't work unless your NVR is online.

You can of course use any DDNS service you like, you aren't tied to Swann for this.

They also have the Swanview software / app for some models, again, model number really useful in determining what you can do.

Thank you for your help Deleted_User

It's the 960H pro series. 
https://www.swann.com/us/swdvk-432502

"You can of course use any DDNS service you like, you aren't tied to Swann for this."
oh dear... this is where I make a fool of myself. I've never understood DDNS or DNS. 

I have several websites, but I always got by without understanding DNS. 

Do I have to learn it? (sticking my bottom lip out here!) 


If I connect my system up to the router, where do I find the unique URL please?

Thank you

[Deleted User]

RealGem said:

Deleted_User said:

Which model NVR is it?

Probably still supported, most of the Swann NVR's host their own webpage which you log in to with a unique URL re-directed by DDNS, so if the system is not currently powered up and connected then you won't be able to login and won't see the webpage.

So the main website is still running for the DDNS redirect:

http://www.swanndvr.net/

but you will access it via something like:

mycameras.swanndvr.net/

Which won't work unless your NVR is online.

You can of course use any DDNS service you like, you aren't tied to Swann for this.

They also have the Swanview software / app for some models, again, model number really useful in determining what you can do.

Thank you for your help Deleted_User

It's the 960H pro series. 
https://www.swann.com/us/swdvk-432502

"You can of course use any DDNS service you like, you aren't tied to Swann for this."
oh dear... this is where I make a fool of myself. I've never understood DDNS or DNS. 

I have several websites, but I always got by without understanding DNS. 

Do I have to learn it? (sticking my bottom lip out here!) 


If I connect my system up to the router, where do I find the unique URL please?

Thank you

Right so the good news is you have two options to connect to your DVR/NVR as it came new:

The easiest is probably the Swanview link software which is available for PC and mobile phone app - (note the manual says this option is available but the website doesn't show your model as supported - hopefully it still is and worth a try)

https://support.swann.com/s/article/f8NaKENn3B

Just download the software, it should autodetect your device if you are on the same network and you are good to go. More details here:

https://www.swann.com/us/downloads/dl/file/id/1470/product/523/swannsecure_software_quick_start_guide.pdf

It will allow access outside the house as well - probably just need to make sure the NVR is configured as required for that but should be covered in the above links.

You can of course go via the DDNS route instead of the above but that is a little more complex as you need to forward a port on your router, register with the DDNS service to get a unique URL, tell the NVR which DDNS service and your login details. To be honest I wouldn't bother because according to the manual your hardware supports the above Swanview link software which will be much easier to set up and more secure - only use this option if you find the above is no longer supported.

DDNS - quick explanation - so to access your NVR outside the house, you need your external IP address and a port forwarded on your router to your NVR which needs a static or reserved internal IP address.

That way you could access your NVR with say https://86.45.33.21:85 where the 86.45.33.21 is your external IP address and 85 is the port you have forwarded to your NVR's internal IP address. 

Great until your external IP address changes which it does with domestic broadband, so one day you won't be able to access the NVR remotely until you are back home to find out what your new external IP address is.

This is where DDNS comes into play. You register with a DDNS provider and they allow you to set up a URL such as mycameras.ddnsprovider.com for example. You also tell your NVR which DDNS provider you are using and the NVR periodically contacts the DDNS provider to tell it what your external IP address is. The DDNS provider simply routes the url mycameras.ddnsprovider.com to whatever your latest external IP address is and so you never need to worry about it changing.

This is why it is called DDNS = dynamic DNS - ie it dynamically changes the DNS lookup for mycameras.ddnsprovider.com as and when needed to match your external IP address. (DNS simply provides an IP address for a internet domain name).

It is a bit fiddly to set up initially but once done you won't need to do anything else.

However there is a mild security risk, you have a port permanently open on your router and forwarded to your NVR. A hacker can scan your external IP address for open ports and therefore can also see your NVR and could attempt to brute force your password or use other malicious means to access it.

The Swannview link app uses port relaying which is a more secure, the NVR opens a random outgoing port on your router to a relay site owned by Swann. Because your NVR opened the port, only traffic from that relay site is allowed back in through the port unlike the above option where anybody can use the port. When you want to view your cameras outside your home with say your mobile phone, the app contacts the Swann relay site to negotiate a connection with your NVR (there are different ways of doing this - either relayed or direct that I won't go into for brevity of this already long post) but this type of connection is more secure.

RealGem

[Deleted User] said:

RealGem said:

[Deleted User] said:

Which model NVR is it?

Probably still supported, most of the Swann NVR's host their own webpage which you log in to with a unique URL re-directed by DDNS, so if the system is not currently powered up and connected then you won't be able to login and won't see the webpage.

So the main website is still running for the DDNS redirect:

http://www.swanndvr.net/

but you will access it via something like:

mycameras.swanndvr.net/

Which won't work unless your NVR is online.

You can of course use any DDNS service you like, you aren't tied to Swann for this.

They also have the Swanview software / app for some models, again, model number really useful in determining what you can do.

Thank you for your help Deleted_User

It's the 960H pro series. 
https://www.swann.com/us/swdvk-432502

"You can of course use any DDNS service you like, you aren't tied to Swann for this."
oh dear... this is where I make a fool of myself. I've never understood DDNS or DNS. 

I have several websites, but I always got by without understanding DNS. 

Do I have to learn it? (sticking my bottom lip out here!) 


If I connect my system up to the router, where do I find the unique URL please?

Thank you

Right so the good news is you have two options to connect to your DVR/NVR as it came new:

The easiest is probably the Swanview link software which is available for PC and mobile phone app - (note the manual says this option is available but the website doesn't show your model as supported - hopefully it still is and worth a try)

https://support.swann.com/s/article/f8NaKENn3B

Just download the software, it should autodetect your device if you are on the same network and you are good to go. More details here:

https://www.swann.com/us/downloads/dl/file/id/1470/product/523/swannsecure_software_quick_start_guide.pdf

It will allow access outside the house as well - probably just need to make sure the NVR is configured as required for that but should be covered in the above links.

You can of course go via the DDNS route instead of the above but that is a little more complex as you need to forward a port on your router, register with the DDNS service to get a unique URL, tell the NVR which DDNS service and your login details. To be honest I wouldn't bother because according to the manual your hardware supports the above Swanview link software which will be much easier to set up and more secure - only use this option if you find the above is no longer supported.

DDNS - quick explanation - so to access your NVR outside the house, you need your external IP address and a port forwarded on your router to your NVR which needs a static or reserved internal IP address.

That way you could access your NVR with say https://86.45.33.21:85 where the 86.45.33.21 is your external IP address and 85 is the port you have forwarded to your NVR's internal IP address. 

Great until your external IP address changes which it does with domestic broadband, so one day you won't be able to access the NVR remotely until you are back home to find out what your new external IP address is.

This is where DDNS comes into play. You register with a DDNS provider and they allow you to set up a URL such as mycameras.ddnsprovider.com for example. You also tell your NVR which DDNS provider you are using and the NVR periodically contacts the DDNS provider to tell it what your external IP address is. The DDNS provider simply routes the url mycameras.ddnsprovider.com to whatever your latest external IP address is and so you never need to worry about it changing.

This is why it is called DDNS = dynamic DNS - ie it dynamically changes the DNS lookup for mycameras.ddnsprovider.com as and when needed to match your external IP address. (DNS simply provides an IP address for a internet domain name).

It is a bit fiddly to set up initially but once done you won't need to do anything else.

However there is a mild security risk, you have a port permanently open on your router and forwarded to your NVR. A hacker can scan your external IP address for open ports and therefore can also see your NVR and could attempt to brute force your password or use other malicious means to access it.

The Swannview link app uses port relaying which is a more secure, the NVR opens a random outgoing port on your router to a relay site owned by Swann. Because your NVR opened the port, only traffic from that relay site is allowed back in through the port unlike the above option where anybody can use the port. When you want to view your cameras outside your home with say your mobile phone, the app contacts the Swann relay site to negotiate a connection with your NVR (there are different ways of doing this - either relayed or direct that I won't go into for brevity of this already long post) but this type of connection is more secure.

Thank you so much for this tallmansix !

I've downloaded the software and the PDF. I am going through the other info now. I'll let you know how I get on, thanks.

RealGem

Update:
I am having to contact Ofcom regarding my abysmal Virgin Media broadband connection (detailed in a different thread)

So that takes precedent over the cameras. And of course the cameras need the broadband, so I will return to this, once the broadband is sorted out.