Subscriber Discussion

Who Has The Best Remote Access Camera Software?

RF
Robert Falus
•Aug 14, 2018

I am working on a site that will have a number of NVRs when completed, however they will have only 1 static IP. I will need to be able to access each NVR remotely.  I am wondering who has the best software to do this? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #1
•Aug 14, 2018

Use port forwarding and set each nvr to unique ports. No software needed. 

*Edit*

So if you are looking to provide secure remote access then your best bet is a VPN - either software based or router-hardware/client pc software based.  Any remote desktop software will be cumbersome and requires a remote PC to manage to view the desktop.  Remote desktop is great for troubleshooting and tweaking but not for daily NVR use.

(3)
JH
John Honovich
•Aug 14, 2018
IPVM
In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

Please don't recommend people use port forwarding. It exposes the unit to the public Internet and when vulnerabilities are found sets them up to be mass hacked, e.g., see Dahua Recorders Mass Hacked

Related: Remote Network Access for Video Surveillance Guide

(5)
Avatar
Anton Miller
•Aug 14, 2018
Shaked Projects
In reply to John Honovich

Disabling ping on router and changing ports to anything above 10000 efficiently mitigates mass hacking - nobody is gonna scan thousands of ports on a dead host

 

(5)
JH
John Honovich
•Aug 14, 2018
IPVM
In reply to Anton Miller

Security by obscurity. The public Internet is a very large place with lots of 'bodies' scanning. All it takes is one of them getting it into Shodan or another directory and 'everybody' than knows.

(4)
Avatar
Sean Patton
•Aug 14, 2018

We have an integrator survey report listing the Favorite Software for Remote Support

There are variables of cost and capabilities, but the top responses were:

  • TeamViewer
  • LogMeIn
  • VPN/RDP
  • GoToAssist
  • ConnectWise

Each has its strengths (ConnectWise is integrated in their overall CRM package, TeamViewer is "Free", etc), and weaknesses (ConnectWise might have too large of a learning curve if you're only using it for remote access, TeamViewer might be too expensive for a small integrator when properly licensed, etc).

EDIT:

If you're asking about remotely viewing video from the NVRs, what is the manufacturer/VMS provider?

(1)
Avatar
Anton Miller
•Aug 14, 2018
Shaked Projects
In reply to Sean Patton

We've just bought TeamViewer. Expensive, yes, but fast and very reliable. I've tried to find a cheaper/free alternative but everything I tested had too many drawbacks.

(1)
PD
Paresh Desai
•Aug 20, 2018
In reply to Anton Miller

I've used Google/Chrome Remote Desktop in the past.  It worked great until IT blocked it at the FW.  Back to Teamviewer.

(1)
MM
Michael Miller
•Aug 14, 2018
In reply to Sean Patton

FYI you can purchase Screenconnect (now Connectwise Control) without any of the other Connectwise solutions. Its very cost effective as you only pay per seat for techs so if you have 2000 clients and you want two techs to be able to provide support at the same time you only need two seats. 

Having used Teamviewer, LogMeIn and GotoAssit we found CW Control to be way faster than any of them and you have more flexibility to get users to connect.  It's also nice that we can host our own server so we have complete control of our system. 

(2)
Avatar
Harald Lutz
•Aug 15, 2018
Kronfelder Videoloesungen • IPVMU Certified

You basically need to decide, if you wanna configure the system or remote view live videos. For live viewing, all the Remote Software I have seen is not really good. 

For remote managing / supporting / configuring, we use Supremo (www.supremocontrol.com), a real TeamViewer alternative.

For live viewing of remote site, VPN is the key, as said before. We use for some customers Tosibox. Just place a box on customer site, connect the sticks to the box, place the stick whereever you have internet access and stick and box will VPN-connected with a local IP address assigned. It's as simple as described and if bandwidth is not the issue, you can use your Clientsoftware to connect to your Server or NVR to see live video.

(1)
RF
Robert Falus
•Aug 15, 2018

Thanks to everyone who responded. They are all great suggestions. In fact I already use some of them. What I really wanted to know and should have been clearer (my apologies) what company - HIK, Dahua, Axis, etc. has the best remote app for their system. So that my client can review cameras on their mobile devices.  I like IVMS 4200 it seems pretty stable.

Thanks

Avatar
Sean Nelson
•Aug 20, 2018
Nelly's Security
In reply to Robert Falus

Most manufacturers have their own app to view remotely. You mentioned ivms4200, this is HIkvision. For Dahua, it is DMSS.

There are some 3rd party apps like IPCamViewer but they are generally not as good for the specific brand apps that the manufacturer makes.

U
Undisclosed #2
•Aug 20, 2018
In reply to Sean Nelson

Sean, note that IPCamViewer does not let you review recorded video which seems to be what Robert is looking for. I have not seen a mobile app other than manufactures app that allows for recorded video playback.

Avatar
Sean Nelson
•Aug 20, 2018
Nelly's Security
In reply to Undisclosed #2

good point

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