Mobile & Remote Video Surveillance
Camera Systems
Customers often ask how to access a live view of their remote
security cameras when they’re away from their home or business. After all,
people lead busy lives, come in and out of work, go on vacations, and run
errands so investing in a remote video surveillance system is crucial to the
well-being and safety of your home or business. Thus, much of the time you’re
not actually able to be onsite where your cameras are installed. One of the
primary benefits of IP video is that you’re not limited to viewing your remote
video surveillance system on site. The advancements in video surveillance
technology have made it possible to view your remote security camera from any
internet-enabled PC or smartphone. arindamcctvaccesscontrol.blogspot.com has outlined the key
components of remote security camera system and video surveillance app,
everything you need to know in order to start viewing your security cameras
off-site.
What is Remote Video
Surveillance?
Remote video surveillance enables users to view live video on a
PC or laptop from just about anywhere in the world with internet access. To
facilitate remote viewing, you simply type in the IP address of your network
security camera in your internet browser like you would a website. This is done
through DDNS and port-forwarding, which is discussed in greater detail further
below. Once you’ve configured DDNS and port-forwarding and have obtained an IP
address to view online, you can then begin to experience what it’s like to view
your security camera system from a remote location. Remote security cameras are
typically compatible with a wide range of web browsers. It is worth noting that
specific web browser support varies by manufacturer.
What is Mobile Monitoring?
Remote mobile video surveillance takes remote monitoring to a
whole new level. Several IP camera manufacturers offer complimentary mobile
surveillance apps that give you the ability to view and manage your security
cameras from a smartphone or tablet such as the iPhone, iPad, or Android. Many
of these security camera apps allow you to view multiple cameras
simultaneously, control PTZ settings, view recorded images, search through
archived footage, play back events, and much more. Just like you would view
your security camera(s) on a remote PC/laptop, you will need to have an
internet data plan and IP address to do so. Remote video surveillance is
perfect for users who are often off-site, and therefore not able to be on the
local computer system where their IP cameras are connected.
What’s the Difference
between Remote and Mobile Video Surveillance?
The common denominator of remote monitoring and a security
camera app is online viewing. The main differences between the two are
usability features. Remote monitoring tends to give you greater control over
your camera system when it comes to managing settings and recording video. If
you’re checking up on your business cameras from your home or hotel on a PC or
Mac, you usually have a more reliable and secure internet connection.
A mobile security camera app requires a smartphone data plan,
and may lose connection from time to time in no-coverage zones. It’s also a
matter of personal preference – if you use the internet primarily on your
smartphone, then mobile surveillance may be the right choice for you.
How can Remote Video
Surveillance and Mobile Monitoring Help You?
Remote security camera monitoring and mobile surveillance do not
require you to be “on location” in order to view and manage each of your
security cameras. You’re not limited to monitoring just one camera remotely;
most video surveillance apps provide simultaneous viewing and multi-site
options so you can check up on all of your remote security cameras in your
business or home. Monitoring off-site is also extremely convenient for users as
it gives them the freedom to come and go as they please without having to worry
about their property. For example, mobile and remote monitoring is great to
have when you’re on vacation. If you’ve got two or three IP cameras installed at
your home, and decide to take a trip somewhere, you can still monitor your
property and receive email notifications if your cameras detect motion or
tampering. Essentially, remote video surveillance makes it so you don’t have to
be at the exact location of your security cameras to keep a watchful eye on
your property. In addition, remote monitoring works wonderfully with pet cams,
nanny cams, and pool cams. You’re not limited to what you can view.
Surveillance on the go has never been easier.
Features:
View Live Stream
- Real-time
video display is a primary selling point for remote and mobile monitoring.
Having direct access to your live camera feed gives you the power to monitor
your property without actually being there.
View NVR Live Stream
- Some
NVR manufacturers offer remote web interfaces and video surveillance apps that
provide remote access to your IP camera system. These Internet-based platforms
give you instant access to live camera displays and recorded video footage that
work on PCs, and some smartphones. You simply log on to the NVR’s web interface
or app to facilitate real-time monitoring.
View Recorded Video from your camera/NVR
- Another
benefit of remote monitoring and mobile surveillance is with some mobile apps
and NVR web interfaces, you can view recorded video. This is especially helpful
when you’re on vacation; you can review recorded video and decide if it’s
relevant or not, or notify law enforcement if you come across something
suspicious that was captured on video.
Images are sent to your phone, on motion or
schedule - You
can configure your IP camera so that images are sent directly to your email
account or smartphone via message MMS if motion, tampering, or vandalism is
detected. Images can also be sent on a schedule to keep you abreast of what
your video monitors.
Send images to email account
- With
video management software, you can configure your security cameras to send
email alerts to your smartphone, iphone or email account for evidentiary
purposes and as a way to archive footage deemed important.
Administer VS System remotely
- You
can do a lot more with mobile and remote monitoring than just viewing live
video. A number of IP camera and NVR brands offer web interfaces and cloud
services that can be accessed from remote locations. These online platforms
allow you to control the settings and configure your IP camera system like you
would onsite.
How Do You View Your Video
Surveillance Cameras Remotely?
In order to monitor your video surveillance cameras from a
remote device like a PC or smartphone, you will typically need to set up DDNS
and port forwarding.
DDNS - With video management software,
you can configure your security cameras to send email alerts to your
smartphone, iphone or email account for evidentiary purposes and as a way to
archive footage deemed important.
Port-Forwarding
- When
you purchase your IP camera system, you’re at first limited to viewing your
cameras locally, meaning you can only access them in a local area network. To
view your cameras remotely, you must configure port-forwarding. Port-forwarding
sends network ports used by your IP camera(s) onto the World Wide Web so that
you can monitor your cameras remotely. Network ports are typically forwarded
through your network’s router, which tech support specialist at
VideoSurveillance.com can help you with. Port-forwarding can only be set up by
obtaining the IP address of your router that connects to your video
surveillance cameras. It should be noted your IP cameras and NVRs are still
secure when accessed via the Internet because of password protection.
Special Plug-and-Play Solutions
- Some
NVR manufacturers such as Smartvue offer online cloud services that allow you
to access your video surveillance system from a remote location by simply
logging into your cloud account. Once logged in, you can view your live video
feed, manage settings, and search recorded video as needed.
Benefits Of Remote Surveillance Monitoring
24/7 Protection
One of the more popular
benefits of a modern surveillance system is the ability to monitor footage
remotely with a mobile app. There's a wide array of apps that allow a user to
log into your system from anywhere with just a touch of your smart phone. Upon logging
in, you will have the ability to view live and recorded video, control PTZ
settings, search through past footage and manage alerts. To set up the app
properly, you'll need to work closely with a security company and have an
internet data plan as well as an IP address.
The best aspect of this
feature is that you don’t have to be on location to view and manage your
security cameras, thus offering you and/or your security staff the ability to
monitor and respond to issues whenever they may occur, even after hours or
while you are on vacation. The added peace of mind that comes with remote
monitoring can be the greatest benefit of all.
Monitor Multiple Feeds Across Multiple Locations
Also, you don’t have to
be limited to monitoring only one security camera remotely. If your building
requires multiple cameras in seperate locations, you're in luck as you can
monitor multiple camera feeds from across multiple locations. This is a popular
feature for property managers who need to monitor multiple buildings.
This is incredibly
useful when combined with a motion alert camera system-- you can be alerted if
any of your cameras detect motion while your business is closed. In addition,
you will get an email and/or text alert notifying you that one of your cameras
detected motion.
Less False Alarms
The overriding advantage
associated with a remote monitored system is the fact that it provides visual
confirmation to an operator regarding the cause of anyone specific activation.
In turn, this lessens the likelihood of false alarms and allows the operator to
orchestrate the fastest possible and most appropriate action.
When an alarm is
triggered, the process begins and the images are transmitted to a central
control room where the operator consults site plans to determine whether to
issue audio warnings or alert the relevant emergency services. Audio warnings
have been proven to act as a successful deterrent for a majority of cases, in
terms of contacting the emergency services, the visual confirmation provided by
the operator allows them to give the activation a priority response and
increases the likelihood of the culprit of any trespass or theft committed on
the property in question.
Monitored Alarm System Provides Peace Of Mind
Remote
access can also assist business owners in detecting threats such as
fires, high carbon dioxide levels or intrusion that could otherwise be
detrimental to their employees and valuable assets.
·
Schedule notifications in case of an emergency.
·
Arm or disarm security systems remotely.
·
Lock or unlock doors remotely
Controlling these security features with remote access creates
peace of mind for business owners who can stay connected with their business,
even when they are away.
Conclusion
What
makes remote video surveillance and mobile monitoring so favorable is that they
both fit within your busy schedule. Remote monitoring and mobile surveillance
give you on-the-go, real-time access to your live camera view so you can check
up on your property anytime, day or night. The remote solutions made available
by IP camera, NVR manufacturers, and even third-party mobile app developers are
manifold; it is up to you to decide which one best aligns with your day-to-day
routine.