Connect CCTV to Phone- DVR internet setup

To connect your CCTV to the phone there are several things we need to set up. Aside from the DVR itself, a stable internet connection is required. At the end of this post, you should be able to connect your CCTV system to your phone.

Modern CCTV System can be a web server too. The main CCTV box can push video to internal network and mobile network even outside premises. IP cameras can be easier to set up because they are designed for mobile app monitoring.

What are the requirements to connect CCTV to Phone?

To connect your CCTV to the phone, we need to have at least these requirements.

1. Digital Video Recorder supports web access and application over network and internet. The DVR has built in web server.
2. Static Internet Subscription with at least 512kpbs upload speed. It is necessary to connect your DVR with static IP configuration coming from an internet provider. There will be no connection issue whenever a public IP address changes. Some DVR that supports cloud access can use DHCP internet subscription, however limited to DSL or Fiber lines only.
3. Straight through UTP Cat6 cable or LAN cable from DVR Ethernet port to Switch or Modem router.
4. Mobile App. Each DVR has a user manual that would tell you what mobile App to download and install on your phone.
5. PC or Laptop with Net Framework and Java installed. We’ll be using this in system configuration on your router or modem.

How to configure router or modem?

Before going to router configuration, we need to set up all network values in DVR. After that, get your PC to access modem or router to start configuration.

Connect LAN cable from router to DVR

Prepare a good straight through UTP cat6 cable. Find the LAN or Ethernet port of the DVR then plug in the first node. Plug the second end to your modem router or switch hub. You may notice a blinking light that indicates transfer of data or having a good connection.

Find a valid IP address for DVR

First, we need to assign a valid static IP address for your DVR. In your home or small network, find your gateway address, then allocate the IP address. In corporate network you should ask the network administrator of available IP for DVR.

To do it, search Command prompt in windows search box or run cmd.exe. Type in ipconfig /all then press enter. Look at the results, list down the default gateway, subnet mask and IPv4 Address.

In PLDT Router for example, you may get results like this.

• IPv4 Address 192.168.1.100
• Subnet mask 255.255.255.0
• Default Gateway 192.168.1.1

Therefore, you can try to use the succeeding IPv4 Address, try to make ping test of 192.168.1.101 for example, if you see a result like destination host unreachable, then this IP address is free to use for DVR. You may use 192.168.1.101 for DVR.

Assign the static IPv4 Address to DVR

Proceed to DVR settings to change default network values. Login to your DVR using Administrator account, look at the user manual to get the default admin account username and password.

Find Network Setting, then look for IP Address setting. Make sure the IP address is set to Static (not DHCP). Input the IPv4 Address, Subnet mask and Gateway Address. In this example, we’ll be using 192.168.1.101 for IP address, 255.255.255.0 for subnet mask and 192.168.1.1 for the default gateway.

Leave all ports to default setting value. List it down, we are going to use it in router configuration.

In some cases, to get a valid IP address, you need to plug in a LAN cable from your router to DVR. Then set your DVR to DHCP IP address configuration. Restart your DVR to get a valid IP address. List down all values, then switch to Static IP address using the same values.

Test local connection

After setting up the correct IPv4 address values in DVR network setting, it is necessary to check whether you have successfully connected. To see if the DVR has a local connection, try to make a ping test from your PC. Open your Command Prompt window, type in ping 192.168.1.101. If the results say, reply from 192.168.1.101: bytes=32 time=110ms ttl=107 or similar values, then your DVR is connected.

Because your DVR is connected locally, you can use an internet explorer browser to check the DVR web server response.

Open Internet Explorer browser, in the address bar type the following, http://192.168.1.101:80. It will prompt you to install active x plugins to run, then prompt you to login and connect all cameras.

Most DVR can be accessible using http only with default port 80. If the DVR supports secured connection, you may try https prefix. Also, if the DVR uses a port other than 80, replace it. Always look at the user manual for default setting values.

Configure Port Forward setting in the Modem Router or Firewall

Next step would be the router configuration. To do it, get all your notes on IP address setting values of DVR. We will access the global configuration of router using the default gateway address.

Open your web browser, type in the default gateway address in the address bar. In this example, we are using 192.168.1.1 gateway address. You should see a login prompt window. Type the admin user account login details and password. Try to use the default username and password of routers if you fail to login.

Once logged in, look for NAT, Application, then Port Forward setting. Create new rules, type in the DVR IP address along with HTTP, select TCP protocol. For other ports like Mobile and Control ports, use the same IP address but select UDP or Both protocols. Always look at your DVR documentation, it may differ in some cases. Click save and reboot your router to take effect.

Why are we creating a Port Forward rule in the router?

Without port forward rule, you won’t be able to access your DVR from a remote location as well as using a mobile phone app. Basically, it tells your router to forward any request coming from outside to point into the DVR port. Hence, communication will always be redirected to DVR server whenever a user attempts to connect from phone or browser. It passed through the firewall, and created a virtual tunnel from the end user to this machine.

Static Public IP address and Dynamic DNS Hostname.

We need to use the Static IP address or DDNS host name to access the DVR from remote location and mobile phone. Local IPv4 addresses can only be used internally. You may need to assign a Dynamic DNS host name of your subscription with ISP is DHCP. To check your current Public IP address, visit www.whatismyip.com . List down your public IP address, if you restart the router and the IP address changes, then apply for DDNS host name, I recommend No-IP DDNS.

Download and Install CCTV Mobile App

Get your DVR documentation and look for mobile phone app instructions. It usually asks you to download the app from App Store or Google Play. Some may have QR codes that let you scan and download the app.

After App installation, open the app and tap Add to add your DVR. Select IP Address, type in the Static Public IP address, or use the DDNS host name instead. Type the admin username and password along with DVR port used. Always look at your DVR documentation on how to connect the DVR for mobile phone.

Optionally, you can add the local IP when you want to access the DVR within the house or same network. Some have features of search, so no need to add manually. Just accept and add the CCTV DVR.

What to expect in Mobile Phone Monitoring?

Aside from remote access viewing, the user may take snap shots, replay video footage, receive alarms and control menu settings.

Conclusion

In CCTV system, most DVR has capability of mobile phone monitoring. Just like a simple IP camera, all we need is physical connection from router to DVR, correct IP address values setup in the DVR, and Port forward setting on your router. Download the app, use the static public IP address, DVR username and passwords, and Port used to add in the app list of devices.

A simple analog Cameras can turn into IP cameras using this approach. So, no need to invest in expensive IP cameras if the system is just installed in a small house or office.

If you’re having issues in system configuration, always refer to your DVR manual, or leave your comments below.