Using TZO Dynamic DNS and IP Cam Viewer to remotely monitor your IP Cameras or DVR

IP Cam Viewer on the Android platform is a great way to view, monitor and record live video from your IP Cameras or Security DVR. TZO offers a simple and easy way to remotely connect back to your IP Cameras or DVR without worrying about a changing IP address and remembering this cryptic number. In this tutorial we will show you in just a few steps how easy it is to signup for your Free TZO trial and get TZO up and running so you can enjoy viewing your cameras when you are away from home or the office.

*** In order to complete this tutorial you'll need the IP Cam Viewer software on your Android powered phone and a compatible DVR or IP Cameras

Step 1) Signup with a TZO Trial Account - Go to http://IPCamViewer.tzo.com to signup with a free fully-functional 30-day trial of the TZO DDNS service. You will select a domain name and the TZO account information will be sent to you by email. Once you get this email, you want to then enable TZO DDNS somewhere on the same network where the camera or cameras will operate.

Step 2) Enable TZO on your Network - TZO is a service that needs to run somewhere on the network where the camera resides. There are a few different choices on how you can use your free trial of TZO with your IP Camera. You can enable your TZO account on one of these devices/computers in your home or office where the camera(s) reside.

Step 3) Forward ports in your router - Now that you have TZO up and running somewhere on your network you just need to edit your routers port forwarding so you can view your camera from the outside. You'll need to know your IP cameras IP address and port it uses for viewing, in most cases this will be port 80, but could possibly be another port. Refer to your setup and management software on where to find this information in your camera . Since each router is different, you'll need to use some other tutorials to open this port/ports at portforward.com if you have trouble. You can always check out the other TZO tutorials under the support section of the TZO.COM website.

Step 4) Setup and Install IP Cam Viewer on your Android Smartphone - Setting up IP Cam Viewer on the Android platform is easy! Just download it from the marketplace and install it on your android powered device.

Step 5) Add Your Camera or DVR into IP Cam Viewer - You now want to add your camera or DVR to IP Cam Viewer, but use the INTERNAL IP address of the camera and test.

Internal Testing: Try to test IP Cam Viewer using the internal IP address of the camera before you attempt remote viewing with the domain name. This helps prove that IP Cam Viewer works with the camera before you attempt remote access with the domain name. Once you have IP Cam Viewer working with the camera on the internal IP, you can then attempt remote viewing using your domain name. To view your cameras on the internal network, follow these steps and use the screenshot for help.

Step 1 - Run IP Cam Viewer and select ADD CAM and select IP Camera, DVR, NVR

Step 2 - Name the Camera, Select the MAKE, MODEL, and in the HOST / IP area, put in the local IP address of your camera.

Step 3 – Select the HTTP Port your camera is on, default is 80.

Step 4 – Enter the username and password for the camera and then click Test to test the camera and then save. If this works, perform these steps for each camera, then move onto remote viewing using your domain below.

Step 6) Viewing the Camera or DVR using your Domain - Now that you have IP Cam Viewer working with the internal IP address of each camera you can now attempt to view using the domain name. To setup your domain name all you need to do is change the HOST /IP to your domain name, or follow the complete steps below and use the screenshot for help.

Step 1 - Run IP Cam Viewer and select ADD CAM and select IP Camera, DVR, NVR

Step 2 - Name the Camera, Select the MAKE, MODEL, and in the HOST / IP area, put in the TZO Domain Name you selected.

Step 3 – Select the HTTP Port your camera is on, default is 80.

Step 4 – Enter the username and password for the camera and then click Test and then save. To add other cameras at the same location, you can use the same domain and just set the camera to a different port. You do not need to configure DDNS again since the domain name is pointing at one location. Only one instance of TZO is needed per location.