DVR DDNS Setup / NVR DDNS Setup

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  • Viewtron hybrid BNC DVRs and IP camera NVRs both support a free DDNS (dynamic domain name service) for remote access.  Click here if you want to learn more about what DDNS is and how it can help you view your security cameras remotely.

    To setup DDNS on Viewtron recorders, follow these instructions.

    NVR Setup Settings

    Click on the Start button in the lower left, then click on settings

    DVR DDNS Network Setup

    On the main settings screen, click on the Network link.

    DVR DDNS Register Name

    On the Network screen, click on the DDNS link on the gray navigation menu. On the DDNS screen do the following:

    1. Check the Enable checkbox.
    2. Select autoddns.com from the DDNY type dropdown box. This is the free DDNS server provided to Viewtron products.
    3. Enter a name in the Domain Name field. In my example above, I chose mydvr91.autoddns.com.
    4. Click on the Register button.

    If that name is available, you will see a success message. If the name is taken, you must choose another.

    DVR DDNS Activate

    Next, click on the Apply button. Confirm that the Connection Status says: Success. You can now close the DDNS settings on your DVR / NVR.

    DDNS is now setup so that you can access your DVR / NVR using the DDNS hostname that you setup. In this example, mydvr91.autoddns.com.

    You can now use that DDNS hostname to access your DVR / NVR in a web browser, form the mobile app, and from the VMS software.

    What is DDNS?

    DDNS stands for Dynamic Domain Name Service. To understand DDNS, it helps to know how the Internet works. Every device connected to the Internet has an IP address – a string of numbers like 98.234.12.45. When you type a website name like google.com into your browser, DNS (Domain Name Service) translates that name into an IP address so your computer knows where to connect. DDNS does the same thing, but with one important difference: it automatically updates when your IP address changes.

    Most home and business Internet connections use a dynamic IP address, which means your Internet provider can change your IP address at any time. When that happens, your remote access to your security camera system stops working because the address you saved in your phone app or computer software is no longer valid. DDNS solves this problem by giving your DVR a hostname (like mydvr91.autoddns.com) that automatically updates whenever your IP address changes. Your DVR periodically checks in with the DDNS server, and if your IP has changed, it updates the record so your hostname always points to the right place.

    How DDNS Helps You Access Your Security Cameras

    I hear from customers all the time who had remote viewing working perfectly, then one day it just stopped. Nine times out of ten, their IP address changed and they didn’t know it. With DDNS enabled, you don’t have to worry about this – your hostname always points to your current IP address, so your connection stays reliable.

    The free DDNS service built into Viewtron DVRs and NVRs uses autoddns.com and is included at no extra cost. You don’t need to sign up for a third-party service or pay monthly fees. Just pick a hostname, register it directly from your DVR’s menu, and you’re set. This is one of those features that takes two minutes to configure and saves you headaches down the road.