Whether you’re running a small business or you just want to be sure that your home is always as safe as possible, there are few things more valuable than a high-quality CCTV system. Security cameras are an essential part of any security system and can function not only as a way to gather evidence in the event of any kind of break-in but they are also an incredibly effective deterrent as well.
Of course, if you find yourself away from home or spending time away from your business premises then that can often leave you frustrated and wondering exactly what is waiting for you in your CCTV footage. Fortunately, there is an elegant solution for that: remote viewing.
Being able to access and view your CCTV footage live from anywhere is a fantastic way to keep your business or home secure and set your mind at ease. But that raises the question: how do you actually do it. With that in mind here is how to watch CCTV cameras from anywhere using the internet service.
The Benefits Of Remote Viewing
The benefits of remote viewing are pretty obvious from the start. The ability to monitor your business and your home no matter where you are is an essential way to not only ensure that you have a great sense of peace of mind but also to ensure that you’re always able to respond to any issues with your business or home no matter where you might be.
There may even be occassions where you actually need a thermal-type imaging camera. These cameras capture and depict infrared radiation as light you can see. For instance these can help you see in dark areas or through smoke. Thermal imagers are a lot less expensive today then they were just a decade ago! Something else to consider.
This is especially important for those who either spend a lot of time away from home or travel a great deal due to their business. Rather than having to constantly check in with other people, you’re able to stay connected to the things that really matter even when you’re far away.
How Do You Do It?
For a lot of people, the concept of being able to connect to your CCTV remotely can seem somewhat difficult and complicated. And, to be sure, it’s not necessarily the simplest thing in the world when you first look at it. However, it’s actually a whole lot less intimidating when you break it down and look at it as a step by step process. Here are the essential steps that you need to take.
Step 1. Connecting Your Recorder
The first and most obvious thing to make sure of is that your security system can actually connect to your network and has access to internet access. Connecting your CCTV to the internet service is not a particularly complicated process by itself but you do have to make sure that you have a system that is able to do that in the first place. You need to connect your recorder to your router by plugging it into one of the LAN port number at the back of your router. By connecting your recorder to your local area network (LAN) you can then move forward and start viewing your CCTV over the internet service.
Step 2. Enabling Remote Viewing
In order to view your recorder remotely, you need a dynamic IP address. This is usually done by login into your recorder with your username and password, something you will have either set up or that will be provided by the CCTV system’s manufacturer. You can then set up your recorder with a DHCP (Dynamic Hots Configuration Protocol) which allows you to get a dynamic IP address from your router rather than the static wan ip address that your recorder already has. This sets up a new wan ip address for the recorder on your computer allowing you to connect to your recorder remotely.
Step 3. Viewing Your Recorder
Once your CCTV is connected to the internet service, you need to find a way to watch it. There are a lot of different options when it comes to the method that you use in order to view your footage and which you choose is generally just going to come down to what it easiest and most effective for you. The best option is almost certainly to have at least some combination of different methods so that you’re always in a position to view your security cameras remotely no matter where you are or what you’re doing.
Step 4. Installing Viewing Software
The most obvious way to view your footage is to install dedicated viewing software on your laptop or computer. Something like Smart PSS that allows you to connect to your DVR or security cameras is pretty much essential for remote viewing.
You may find that the viewing software you use will be proprietory depending on the brand or manufacturer or security cameras that you have but most of them will function in pretty much the same way outside of certain user interface functionalities and specifics. No matter what software you’re using, you will likely not only be able to view your security cameras but you may well be able to make adjustments to your security cameras positions in order to have the most control possible over every single aspect of your security cameras.
Step 5. Connecting To Your Smartphone
One of the most significant technological advances of the last several years is that of the smartphone. Not only have smartphones revolutionized a great deal of the kinds of services offered by digital technology, but they have moved forward leaps and bounds themselves in recent years. one of the best things that your smartphone can offer you is the ability to connect to your CCTV through dedicated apps.
This can sometimes be a little more complicated than just viewing through a desktop program but it’s simple enough once you have it set up. You need to make sure that, once you have an wan ip address set up, you configure your port number forwarding rules to allow data to pass through your router’s firewall and reach the ip camera recorder. Then you need to install the mobile app on your iPhone or Android device and enable P2P networking on your recorder. You may also need to scan a QR code in order to connect your smart device and your recorder as well. Then, much like with your desktop software, you’re able to monitor, record, and adjust your security cameras to your needs.
Step 6. Using Web Services
If you find yourself in a place where you don’t have access to your own computer or smartphone containing your dedicated software or app, don’t worry, there are still options available to you. For one thing, Google Chrome offers you the possibility of remote viewing your security cameras as well.
That means that all you need is access to a dedicated app through Google Chrome, something pretty much all computers enable, and you’ll be able to access all of the features of your recorder that you would otherwise be able to connect to through your dedicated app or software. This means that you never have to find yourself in a position where you can’t access your CCTV as long as you have access to a computer.
Step 7. Potential Risks
It would be wrong to say that there are no risks whatsoever to a system like this. The reality is that any time you spend online is going to present potential risks. Enabling remote access can potentially provide access to your CCTV to outside agents who may try to use that to their advantage. However, this can only happen if you don’t take the right steps to stop it.
There are plenty of methods to increase the security of your remote recorder from P2P, which creates a network between two specific devices, or a VPN connection which essentially requires any device that wants to connect to the system requires a VPN client, which can keep potential intruders out. Whatever method you choose, the security of your remote CCTV is far too important to ignore.
