DVRs, CCTVs and Cameras

This guide will help you get started with the Dynamic DNS service for use with your camera system.

What is Dynamic DNS? How do I use it with my camera?

The free Dynamic DNS service provides an easy-to-remember URL for quick remote access to your network. This allows you to view your DVR or CCTV using a simple web address like http://mycamera.dyndns.org/, instead of a meaningless, ever-changing IP address like http://123.45.67.89.

Many newer camera systems and routers feature a DynDNS.com-compatible update client (a script which sends the IP address for your network whenever your IP changes), and many camera installers recommend using our services so you can easily view your camera while you're at work or away on vacation. This guide will help you to get the service up and running quickly.

How do I set it up?

Please complete the following steps to get your camera working with Dynamic DNS.

1. Install your camera

The first step, naturally, is to install and configure your camera system. Once the device is working properly, and you can view the camera from a computer in the same network, you can begin setting up the network for remote viewing. If you are having trouble viewing the camera locally, you will need to fix the problem before you can move to the next step. (Please note: DynDNS.com cannot provide support for camera installation or setup. You will need to contact the installer or manufacturer for more help.)

2. Configure port forwarding

Once the camera is working, the next step is to configure your network to allow remote access. To do this, you will need to configure your router's port forwarding settings. Please visit PortForward.com for a list of guides by router. In most cases, you will need to forward HTTP (port 80) to your camera's IP address (e.g. 192.168.x.x). You may also need to forward a separate UDP port for the video stream.

3. Test your network

When you have configured port forwarding in your router, you will need to test your network externally (from outside). To do this, get your network's external IP address from CheckIP, then have a friend try to visit the IP address or use our Open Port Tool to test your network. If your network is configured properly, you can continue to the next step; if not, please see the Troubleshooting section for some common problems.

4. Create an account and Dynamic DNS host

Now that your camera is working, and visitors from outside your network can view the camera, you can begin using the Dynamic DNS service. Create and confirm an account, then create a free Dynamic DNS host. The Dynamic DNS host should be assigned to your network's external IP address. Once your host is created, wait a few minutes for the service to activate, then have your friend (or our Open Port Tool) test your network using your new host (e.g. http://mycamera.dyndns.org).

5. Install an update client

The last step is to configure an update client, which will keep your new Dynamic DNS host up-to-date with your network's external IP address. If your camera or router has a section for DynDNS.com (sometimes DynDNS.org), this is an update client. Enter your username, password and hostname, and the router will tell us when your IP changes so that your Dynamic DNS host will always be correct.

If you do not have a hardware update client, you can install a software update client on a computer anywhere in the network. We recommend using a software client whenever possible, since they are easier to troubleshoot and configure than hardware update clients.

Troubleshooting

My camera is working, but I can't view it outside my network.

This problem is usually related to port forwarding. Ensure that your router is properly configured to forward the necessary ports to the correct internal IP for your camera. You can learn more about port forwarding here.

If the port is forwarded properly, but you are still receiving a timeout error, your ISP may be blocking port 80. If this is the case, you should configure your camera to use an alternate port for its web interface (such as 8000), then connect using http://yourhost.dyndns.org:8000. (Depending on your network's configuration, this may also be caused by a firewall.)

Please see our detailed Why Can't I Connect to My Server? troubleshooting guide for more help.

When I view my camera, it asks for a password. Is this from DynDNS.com?

No. If you see a login prompt when visiting your hostname, it is coming from your camera or some other device in your network. If you do not recall setting a password, please refer to your camera manual, or simply try common default login credentials (admin/admin, admin/(blank), root/(blank), etc.).

When I view my camera, the video stream lags/the connection drops/the quality is poor.

No traffic passes through DynDNS.com, so the quality of service for your camera is entirely dependent on your local network's bandwidth. If you are having connectivity problems, you should try adjusting the settings on the camera to lower quality to provide better framerate.

When I view my camera, the interface appears but I can't see the video.

Some cameras use special browser plugins to allow video streaming, such as Active X or Java, which you may need to install to see the video stream. The other possibility is that your camera uses a separate UDP port for streaming the video, which also needs to be forwarded in your router. Please consult your manual or check the device settings for more information on additional ports.

My camera doesn't seem to have a web interface. Can I still use my DynDNS.com host to view files?

Some camera systems, particularly CCTVs, do not always provide a web interface (a small website located on the camera that can be viewed through a browser). You can use other remote access software, such as Windows Remote Desktop, VPN, FTP, etc. with your Dynamic DNS host to access the recorded video; however, please note that DynDNS.com does not provide remote access software and cannot provide support for installation or configuration.

My host is blocked for abusive updates, or my update client isn't working at all.

Some camera systems have update clients which are not properly compatible with our services. Some clients send unnecessary updates, which can trigger abuse blocks to protect our systems from flooding, while some clients do not send any updates at all. If you have been blocked for abuse, please see our Update Abuse Policy for more information on how to fix the problem.

In either case, you should try installing a software client instead, as they are generally far more reliable than hardware update clients. (If you switch from a hardware client to a software client, please make sure you disable the hardware client to prevent unnecessary updates.) Please note that DynDNS.com is not responsible for update clients embedded in hardware devices. You will need to contact the manufacturer for more help if your update client does not work. You can also try installing a newer version of the device's firmware.