Remote CCTV Viewing

[frase]

I have a business client within real estate, they have an office at A and are wanting to view the cameras at office B.
What is the best software that one would recommend in this situation, those that have actually done this.

Thanks

 

[thecomputerguy]

Pretty much all semi-decent cameras should have a remote viewing option that can be configured by logging into the DVR. Remote viewing should be available by web browser (if you open ports, maybe no advisable?) or through an app provided by the manufacturer.

A lot of cameras/DVRs are very cheaply made so if it's one those Costco specials that are $500 it's likely going to be a junky experience all around since it's pretty much straight out of China with little to no support. Documentation for these Costco specials is usually riddled with mis-spellings and generally horrible instructions.

You could go with a much higher quality of camera from a hardware & software standpoint if you swap the cameras and DVR to Ubiquiti stuff. It's hard to get Ubiquiti stock right now but if you can piece it together it's definitely a better experience than China stuff.

You could swap the gateway out for a UDM-PRO or UDM-PRO SE which has a built in hard drive bay and then stuff a 8TB drive in there depending on how many camera's recording needs. They also sell this if you need even more storage

Network Video Recorder - Ubiquiti Store

A video recorder with (4) 2.5/3.5" HDD bays that can support up to 30 days of storage for (18) 4K cameras or (60) Full HD cameras.

store.ui.com

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Most of the modern NVR/IP camera systems have a secure "p2p viewing proxy" service. That is....the NVR gets tied to your account at their cloud services, and it securely streams the video to that cloud service. You can log into that cloud service from anywhere..and view it. Naturally this is MUCH MORE secure than opening/forwarding ports to the NVR...thus exposing it to the internet. Not only does it expose the NVR itself to being easily hacked, but now the NVR is a easy stepping stone to the inside of the network...so that more shenanigans can happen.

Simply put...don't do port forwarding to the NVR, get a modern one from a brand that supports the P2P viewing service.

Anyone remember one of the big DDoS against DNS attacks a few years ago? Took down a good portion of the US internet? It was launched from a botnet army that easily took over mostly DVRs/NVRs. https://www.arcdyn.com/articles/ip-security-cameras-and-the-ddos-attack-on-dyn/

 

[frase]

Well I went over today to scout what was needed. The client has a SWANN System located in Office B [ a display home]
The aim is to be able to view cameras from B to a TV in the main office at Office A.

Does SWANN have an app that connects to smart tv's, anyone used this before? Or will I need to use a HDMI splitter on the SWANN Box as there are two TV's they want to connect to.

-TIA-

 

[mikeroq]

You mention HDMI splitter, I was under the impression Office A and B were separate buildings.

All these cheap DVRs like SWANN are pretty basic. There is only a handful of manufacturers and SWANN or Ankee, etc just slap their name on it. You'll see it when the mobile app is identical to another brand except in branding. We sold one that was basically a Hikvision (same UI on the DVR) but it wasn't branded. Their mobile app was a clone of the iVMS app. Sadly it didn't work with the official Hikvision iVMS app.

Maybe a high end system could have a smart TV app but I don't know any camera systems that do.

100% use the P2P/cloud function if it has one so you don't have to open ports. I need to get one of ours switched to that so I can close these ports.

 

[alexsmith2709]

I used to have a swann camera system, it did need ports forwarding if i remember correctly. It had an app for android (and i assume iOS) and you could only use Internet Explorer (or an extension like IE Tab to fool the system into thinking you were using IE). The cameras were pretty good quality, but the rest of the system was very basic. I used to use the DVR connected to a monitor via HDMI so my staff could see and then connect over the LAN and use a web browser so i could also view the cameras from my office in a different room

 

[frase]

You mention HDMI splitter, I was under the impression Office A and B were separate buildings.

All these cheap DVRs like SWANN are pretty basic. There is only a handful of manufacturers and SWANN or Ankee, etc just slap their name on it. You'll see it when the mobile app is identical to another brand except in branding. We sold one that was basically a Hikvision (same UI on the DVR) but it wasn't branded. Their mobile app was a clone of the iVMS app. Sadly it didn't work with the official Hikvision iVMS app.

Maybe a high end system could have a smart TV app but I don't know any camera systems that do.

100% use the P2P/cloud function if it has one so you don't have to open ports. I need to get one of ours switched to that so I can close these ports.

Sorry to clarify they are though they wish to connect two tv's to receive signals from display home.
I am confusing myself and others derp.

@AlexCa I don't want to really use an obsolete browser that is insecure sorry. Thanks I followed up on the IETAB will have a look at that thanks

 

[AlexCa]

Sorry to clarify they are though they wish to connect two tv's to receive signals from display home.
I am confusing myself and others derp.

@AlexCa I don't want to really use an obsolete browser that is insecure sorry. Thanks I followed up on the IETAB will have a look at that thanks

@frase, not me

 

[frase]

@frase, not me

Oops sorry @alexsmith2709

 

[alexsmith2709]

Sorry to clarify they are though they wish to connect two tv's to receive signals from display home.
I am confusing myself and others derp.

@AlexCa I don't want to really use an obsolete browser that is insecure sorry. Thanks I followed up on the IETAB will have a look at that thanks

Sorry I meant that post to mean Swann is a very basic system and there isnt really a secure way to do what you want. While IETab allows you to use the system, ports still need to be opened and if they havent bothered making their system work natively on any other browser by now i dont think they ever will

 

[frase]

They are a big franchise though are in the building industry and things are bad here in that. I think the owner is trying to save $$$, I did recommend a more professional system as SWANN seem to be only good for home use, not commercial.