How to Watch a CCTV Camera from Anywhere Using Internet

Although Singapore’s burglary and crime rate has continued to decline, there is still a need for business and home owners to invest in security system. 

Thanks to the evolving world of tech, with online CCTV, you have access to your security system’s live feed anywhere in the world on your smartphone or PC. 

This makes it possible to monitor what is happening whether it’s keeping an eye at your workplace or checking your home while you are away. While this may sound complicated, you will realize it is way easier than it sounds after reading this guide!

You can view your home’s security feed on your mobile phone online.

 

Benefits of Watching CCTV Camera Footages Online

The need to keep tabs on what is happening on your property can not be stressed enough. But why the need to watch CCTV online? The pros are endless.

• Footage video sharing – with an internet-connected CCTV camera, the footage can be shared with multiple devices and so you can view it on any device.

• Storage – you do not have to worry about your hard disk getting full. Online CCTV footage can be stored either on the hard drive or saved to cloud. The latter is the preferable option.

• High video quality – IP cameras produce higher resolution footage that you can zoom and pick the fine details.  Gone are the days when CCTV footage showed blurry footage and grainy images that sometimes had little to no use during investigations.

• Ease of access – to access your online CCTV live feed, all you need is the login permission and a device with internet connection, and you can monitor your premise from wherever in the world.

• The IP cams can be multi-functional – modern surveillance cams can be integrated with other web apps to serve multiple functions such as tracking attendance, calculating work hours, and access control.

 

What Are The Best Features of Internet-Connected CCTV Camera?

There are a ton of options when it comes to choosing online CCTV or IP cameras. Some of the features to look out for if you are considering installing an internet-connected surveillance or upgrading an older one are:

Motion Detection

This feature ensures that the online CCTV is triggered and starts recording when there is some movement in its field of view, thus saving on footage space. Also, check whether the camera has the capability to send alerts or push notifications every time the trigger factor occurs.

 

 Video Quality

Most IP cameras can provide higher resolution than the analogue cameras’ common 720p resolution. However, a higher resolution will consume more bandwidth so you have to consider the best resolution for your bandwidth budget.

 

Local Storage

Even with online CCTV viewing, the bigger the local storage capacity is, the more footage you will be able to store. Although these cameras come with cloud storage options, you may be limited to storing your footage locally since the cloud storage comes with paid plans.

 

Night and Low Light Viewing

If you want to keep surveillance always running, this feature is a must have. With this feature, you will have no problem viewing CCTV video online at low light conditions in real time.

 

How to Watch CCTV Cameras Online?

There are a few ways on how to set up the cameras for online viewing. Keep in mind that a professional security system Singapore vendor can set up your system, but here we’ll run through the general steps to start watching your CCTVs online.

Viewing on an App

Most CCTV vendors have PC software and mobile apps for monitoring purposes. You can make the best out of this by the following simple steps.

1. Connect DVR to The Internet

The DVR for analogue cameras, records the surveillance footage for later viewing. Check whether your DVR is internet-capable since older ones might not support this feature. Plug in the recorder to the router with the Ethernet cable and log into the DVR.

Read more: DVR VS NVR Security Cameras

2. Connect DVR to a Monitor/PC

This is easily done using a HDMI cable and it is just for viewing and changing the recorder’s IP address. From here you can access it online.

3. Install a Monitoring App or PC Software

It is recommended that you use software from your CCTV manufacturer although there are some third-party apps which provide the service. The apps will give step by step instructions to pair with the cameras.

4. Log into The Recorder

Enter the username and password and you are now ready to set up the streaming software.

 

Software Set Up

The software may vary slightly from one vendor to another but below are some common steps to get the online CCTV surveillance going.

1. Under the “Network” tab check for “IP” and disable the automatically assign option. Edit the address so that it ends in “110”.

2. Enter your router’s IP address into a browser address bar and make sure port forwarding is on for port 88. Some DVRs are specific for port forwarding and you might have to check with the manual.

3. Enter the DVR’s static IP address in the port forwarding.

4. Pair the cameras with the DVR by typing the router’s IP address plus the forwarding port into the browser. Login into the recorder page, click on pair or camera icon and press on the physical camera’s pair button.

5. Check the DVRs URL IP address and enter it in a browser. After logging in, you should be able to see your cameras.

 

Viewing The Cameras’ Live Feed on a Browser

1. Connect the camera to the router with the Ethernet cable

2. Check the camera’s IP address by:

• Logging into the router and check for “connected devices” and look for your IP camera’s  manufacturer or;

• Use the Search IP software from your IP camera’s manufacturer

• Check the network page on the vendor’s pc software or mobile app

3. Enter the IP address into a browser and enter the login fields required

4. Determine the HTTP Port number of the camera

5. Determine router’s WAN. Usually, the default port number is 80. However, some ISPs may block this number and you have to change it.

6. Reboot the camera to save the changes

7. Log into the router and set up port forwarding and enter the IP address and the Port Number into the fields required.

8. Enter your WAN address and the port number in the address bar of the browser as a URL and you are good to go!

 

Let’s Get You Started

With security at our homes, businesses or other premises being of utmost importance, pairing a robust security system with modern CCTV surveillance is a sure-fire way of achieving this goal. 

Ensure that the security system you purchase is equipped with the mentioned key features. Also, inquire about after sale services, software upgrades, warranties, maintenance, and other professional services.

If you need to purchase a modern security surveillance system or upgrade the existing one, feel free to give Security System Singapore a call. Our knowledgeable service representatives will give you free consultation and provide you with excellent support. 

              Access you security camera’s live feed 24 hours a day.