The DVR, or DVR (Digital Video Recorder), has largely replaced standard VHS recorders that play VHS tapes or home DVD recorders, due to its ability to record directly to the built-in hard drive. Although some old-style devices are still in use, DVRs offer much more features.
How to improve functionality?
You can connect it to a computer and, therefore, store the recordings on the external / main drive, encode and download them somewhere, write to the media, or perform any other actions with them. This is especially useful for those who want to save video.
How to connect a DVR to a computer? This requires a cable with HDMI (High Definition Media Interface) at both ends or an HDMI connector at one end and an RCA-type audio / video connector or USB at the other end, depending on the available connection ports on the device. Regardless of the wire used, the connection is quick and you will download the contents to your PC in a few minutes.
PC connection
Make sure your DVR is equipped with remote viewing capabilities. Not all DVRs can transmit data remotely. Some models (often outdated) are for recording only, and they will not have features that allow you to connect to them over the network. However, modern devices have such settings.
The connection depends on your model, but most DVRs offer a USB connection or some other means. For example, the popular wireless adapter for connecting to the Internet.
TiVo easily transfers data to your computer if you connect it using an Ethernet cable to a similar port on your PC, and then change the settings to Phone and Network. You can also download software for computers specifically designed to work with TiVo DVRs.
Another popular model, the Pioneer DVR-LX61D, offers downloading videos via USB connection to your computer. This is a very simple way to transmit captured data.
To learn more specifically how to connect the DVR to the computer of your particular model, you will have to study the user guide for your gadget. Most settings are identical: these devices use an Ethernet or USB port to connect to a computer. Also check for available software designed to work with your model.
What do you need?
A router is a device that transfers data between your network connections. This will allow you to connect multiple devices for collaboration. Most people currently use Wi-Fi routers, which allow them to connect devices wirelessly. However, you can make a wired connection.
How to connect a DVR to a computer using such a router? You will also need Ethernet cables for this . They are usually labeled CAT5 cables (category 5) and are used to connect to the Internet. Most viewable DVRs come remotely with a network port to which you can connect such a wire. Sometimes the manufacturer even includes a cable for connection, but often it is too short.
For initial setup, you will need some kind of monitor so that you can connect the DVR and view all the options that you configure. After setting these parameters, you will no longer need it.
How to connect a DVR to a computer for viewing? Some devices have outputs that also allow you to use the TV as a monitor if you connect it using BNC, HDMI, VGA, or even composite RCA connections.
Wired connection
How to connect the DVR to a computer via USB or HDMI? Attach the audio / video cable to the back of the device. When using HDMI, simply align the pins from the cable connector with the socket on the DVR and securely attach it. When using RCA type plugs, insert the red and white audio connectors into the corresponding ports on the rear panel of the DVR. Attach the other end of the cable to your computer using the HDMI connector or USB port.
Turn on the device and wait until the computer displays the message “found new equipment”, then follow the instructions to launch your software to download DVR records to the computer or data from the hard disk to the device.
Wireless connection
Can I connect a DVR to a computer without using a cable? This is available via Ethernet / CAT5 directly on the router or modem that is connected to the network.
In this case, the local network is quite suitable. If you do not have internet, this method can be easily used. However, you will not be able to access the DVR on your phone or using DDNS on a computer away from home. This method involves using your PC, laptop or netbook if it has an Ethernet port, without using the Internet to access the web user interface.
How to connect a DVR to a computer through a router?
First, place the DVR next to your computer close enough to connect to it with an Ethernet cable. Insert one end into the appropriate port on the DVR and the other into the computer. After that, you will need to connect a monitor or TV to your DVR so that you can change the network settings. They must match your computer settings. After connecting, go into the settings of the DVR.
Network settings
Once you are logged in, go to the TCP / IP tab in the “Network Settings” section using the main menu (Main menu> Network Settings> TCP / IP).
After that, the default network configuration will appear on the screen. How to connect a DVR to a computer? To access it on your PC, you need to change the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.
Turn on your computer and open an Internet browser. This will be the only method you will use to access the web interface through a PC or laptop.
You will notice that using the default IP address to try to connect the DVR to the computer does not work directly. You will need a new network configuration made in accordance with both devices.
Open a command prompt on the computer. The fastest way to find it is to use your start menu and search for cmd.exe to launch the application. Type ipconfig and press enter. Scroll down until you reach the Ethernet adapter local connection options.
Network address
You will need an IPv4 Autoconfiguration address and subnet mask. Leave the window open with the following options:
IPv4 Auto Configuration Address: 169.254.117.197
Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
At this time, open the DVR options. As already mentioned, you need to make changes to the IPv4 address to reflect the DVR connection. Using a computer and the options shown, you cannot use address 197 for the DVR. Simply change the last number in the IPv4 address to 198 or 199, or use any number between 0-255 that is not the last number in the IPv4 address.
How to connect a car DVR to a computer so as not to enter network settings every time? Uncheck the DHCP box to make them static. They should not change when connected to any other local area network or Ethernet port.
Copy the information from the computer to the DVR using the IPv4 address as the IP address with the latest number. The subnet mask must be the same. The default gateway should be changed to the default IPv4 address on the computer, except this time the last number in the address should be changed to 1. After changing these settings, click Apply and Save Configuration.
Continuing to follow the instructions on how to connect a CCTV DVR to a computer, open your Internet browser and enter the new static IP address of the DVR in the address bar and press Enter. The web interface will open. You may need to install plugins and allow them to use this feature. After installing them on your computer, you should allow them to run on this website.
After the plugins have been resolved, try logging in using the username and password from the DVR settings. If you have not changed the options present by default, try using the admin value in both fields.
Finally, the web interface will be available, and you can view the camera, recordings stored on the hard drive, as well as change the settings of the DVR.
Now the monitor or TV that was used to watch the DVR is no longer needed, since you can use your computer to directly monitor data from the DVR.
Note
The P2P and DDNS functions for monitoring your DVR from a phone or computer away from the local network will not be used, since it is not connected to the Internet. This is because it is impossible to share the Internet through the Ethernet port through which the DVR is connected to a PC.
In order to connect the device to the global network and use it remotely, you will need to connect using port forwarding. You can also use the settings of your router with Wi-Fi connection to any of the providers in the same way.