Channel Vision — IP Camera/DVR Setup Document

Channel Vision's IP Setup Document — a step-by-step guide for configuring a Channel Vision IP camera or DVR for network and remote access.

Step 1: Gather Information From the Customer

Before proceeding, collect the following (no exceptions):

• Are you the homeowner or the installer? (If both, note that free support isn't provided unless the requester is an actual installer/dealer setting the system up for a customer.)
• Router brand, part number, username, and password
• Modem brand, part number, username, and password
• WAN IP address (have the customer visit a "what's my IP" site to find this)
• DVR username (default: admin) and password (default: 123456)
• Whether the customer has a Static or Dynamic IP address

Step 2: Verify Equipment & Gather Network Info

Confirm the customer has a CAT5 cable connected from the router or switch to the IP camera. Then walk them through gathering their computer's network details:

1. Click the "Run" icon (or press Windows+R).
2. Type cmd and press Enter (or OK) to open the command prompt.
3. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter.
4. Write down the computer's IP address (for reference only — do not enter this into the IP camera).
5. Also record: Default Gateway, DNS Server (use the first one if two are listed), and Subnet Mask.

Step 3: Configure the IP Camera

1. Connect the IP camera to the switch/router and power it on.
2. Open "IP Installer" (included on the disc that came with the camera).
3. Press "Search" and click on the camera's Server Name once found.
4. Make sure "Static" is selected.
5. Assign an IP address to the camera using the first three number groups of the default gateway (e.g., if the gateway is 192.168.1.1, the camera address should start with 192.168.1._). Choose a host number (last group, 2–250) different from the computer's own host number.
6. Enter the Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS Server recorded in Step 2, plus a Port (Channel Vision recommends port 8000).
7. Click "Submit".
8. Open http://[camera IP]:[assigned port] (e.g. http://192.168.1.208:8000) in Internet Explorer.

Note: The first connection via Internet Explorer prompts an ActiveX control install. IE 6, 7, 8, or 9 is required (IE 6 is old and unreliable). If the ActiveX control won't load, go to Tools → Internet Options → Security → Custom Level, and set every ActiveX-related option to "Prompt" unless already Enable/Disable.

Step 4: DDNS Setup

To make the DVR reachable by hostname instead of a changing IP address, set up a free Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service such as a dynamic DNS provider:

1. Sign up for a free Dynamic DNS account with a DDNS provider.
2. Choose a hostname for the DVR.
3. Select "Host With IP Address" as the service type.
4. Use the auto-detected IP address option.
5. Activate the service and note the resulting hostname (e.g. customerdvrname.example-ddns.org — your actual hostname will differ).
6. Enter the DDNS information into the DVR's network page, under the "DDNS" section.

Note: Specific DDNS provider workflows change over time; use whichever free dynamic DNS service is currently available and follow its account setup steps.

Port Forwarding

Many routers support port forwarding, allowing access to the DVR from anywhere in the world — this step is required to view the DVR outside your home/office network.

1. Forward a chosen port (e.g. port 5400) to the internal IP address of the DVR.
2. In your router's admin interface, navigate to the port forwarding / virtual server / NAT section (interface varies by router brand — consult port-forwarding reference sites for your specific model if needed).
3. Enter the DVR's internal IP address and the port you configured on the DVR itself (must match).
4. Select TCP as the protocol.
5. Enable/check the forwarding rule, then apply and restart the router.

Common Issues

• 2Wire modem/router combos: Don't set the DVR to a "LAN" (static) address — use "DHCP" in the DVR's network menu instead. This usually lets the DVR appear in the 2Wire router's device list so it can be port forwarded. A static LAN address prevents the 2Wire router from detecting it.
• Router doesn't support port forwarding: Rare, but some routers simply lack this feature.
• Defective router: Also rare, but possible — port forwarding may fail even when configured correctly.
• Works internally but not externally: Usually caused by (a) an incomplete DVR network configuration (missing DNS server or wrong subnet mask — it will often still connect on the local network but fail externally), or (b) the customer unknowingly has two routers in the chain. You cannot view the DVR externally with two active routers unless one is fully disabled and used only as a wireless access point.

Manufacturer

Channel Vision — Costa Mesa, CA 92626. 1-800-840-0288. www.channelvision.com