Connecting cctv to 4g router via ethernet and tp extender?

[Kevin]

Hi there. I've bought the HD View 4MP cctv system by ESP. It's the wired version but was told I could connect the drive to WiFi for accessing them cameras via the app when away. Now I contacted them and they told me to plug the drive into a range extender via ethernet then pick up on the 4g wifi (EE) router signal.
I'm pulling my hair out and admittedly not a whizz by any means. So am I wasting my time or is this possible in some way?
Current set up is 3 cameras in operation wired into hard drive, EE 4g router on and working in use for smart switches and a tp link extender connected to hard drive via ethernet cable.
Annoyingly I could have bought a wifi ready system but at the time had no plans to have wifi in the building. Ready for a lashing but praying for good news, thanks!
Kev

 

[johnfitzy]

Howdy @Kevin ...

What's the model number of the drive (DVR) ... maybe SHDV4KD4G1TB ?

It's the wired version but was told I could connect the drive to WiFi for accessing them cameras via the app when away

EE 4g router on and working in use for smart switches

This maybe an obvious/silly question but, can you run an Ethernet cable from the drive (DVR) to one of the smart switches? Then you would be able to get the remote access to the cameras via the app when away.

If not, then you should be able to use the TP-Link extender to connect the DVR's Ethernet port to the EE 4G hub's Wi-Fi to get the remote access (as they said when you contacted them). I do something similar to this... I have cameras on a switch at a site with no internet access... I use a TP-Link extender to connect the switch to a spare iPhone's 4G hotspot (very similar to what they suggested you do). I can detail that setup with you if necessary.

Annoyingly I could have bought a wifi ready system but at the time had no plans to have wifi in the building.

It seems there is an optional module part number DVRWLA for that DVR that allows Wi-Fi connectivity using the USB port on the DVR, but it is unavailable/obsolete?

 

[Kevin]

Howdy @Kevin ...

What's the model number of the drive (DVR) ... maybe SHDV4KD4G1TB ?




This maybe an obvious/silly question but, can you run an Ethernet cable from the drive (DVR) to one of the smart switches? Then you would be able to get the remote access to the cameras via the app when away.

If not, then you should be able to use the TP-Link extender to connect the DVR's Ethernet port to the EE 4G hub's Wi-Fi to get the remote access (as they said when you contacted them). I do something similar to this... I have cameras on a switch at a site with no internet access... I use a TP-Link extender to connect the switch to a spare iPhone's 4G hotspot (very similar to what they suggested you do). I can detail that setup with you if necessary.



It seems there is an optional module part number DVRWLA for that DVR that allows Wi-Fi connectivity using the USB port on the DVR, but it is unavailable/obsolete?

Thanks for your reply! The smart switches are wifi only with no ethernet connections. I have been trying to buy one of the dvrwla USB adapters but can't find a single one anywhere. I'm not sure if a generic USB WiFi adapter would work? So long as it doesn't require a disc driver to start up as I've been there and sent it back. Becoming a major yawn. In the service part of dvr it says it is picking up wifi signal for up and download yet in network area it won't pick up a single thing. Much confusion?!

Howdy @Kevin ...

What's the model number of the drive (DVR) ... maybe SHDV4KD4G1TB ?




This maybe an obvious/silly question but, can you run an Ethernet cable from the drive (DVR) to one of the smart switches? Then you would be able to get the remote access to the cameras via the app when away.

If not, then you should be able to use the TP-Link extender to connect the DVR's Ethernet port to the EE 4G hub's Wi-Fi to get the remote access (as they said when you contacted them). I do something similar to this... I have cameras on a switch at a site with no internet access... I use a TP-Link extender to connect the switch to a spare iPhone's 4G hotspot (very similar to what they suggested you do). I can detail that setup with you if necessary.



It seems there is an optional module part number DVRWLA for that DVR that allows Wi-Fi connectivity using the USB port on the DVR, but it is unavailable/obsolete?

 

[Kevin]

Hey, the model is TS SHDV4KD4W. Still struggling away, quite close to taking it all out, selling it for buttons and buying a wireless, WiFi ready system at this stage but willing to try one last time under knowledgeable instruction

 

[Kevin]

Thanks for your reply! The smart switches are wifi only with no ethernet connections. I have been trying to buy one of the dvrwla USB adapters but can't find a single one anywhere. I'm not sure if a generic USB WiFi adapter would work? So long as it doesn't require a disc driver to start up as I've been there and sent it back. Becoming a major yawn. In the service part of dvr it says it is picking up wifi signal for up and download yet in network area it won't pick up a single thing. Much confusion?!

If you have a moment then a detailed set up of using the tp extender would be very much appreciated, thanks for the help!

 

[Kevin]

Howdy @Kevin ...

What's the model number of the drive (DVR) ... maybe SHDV4KD4G1TB ?




This maybe an obvious/silly question but, can you run an Ethernet cable from the drive (DVR) to one of the smart switches? Then you would be able to get the remote access to the cameras via the app when away.

If not, then you should be able to use the TP-Link extender to connect the DVR's Ethernet port to the EE 4G hub's Wi-Fi to get the remote access (as they said when you contacted them). I do something similar to this... I have cameras on a switch at a site with no internet access... I use a TP-Link extender to connect the switch to a spare iPhone's 4G hotspot (very similar to what they suggested you do). I can detail that setup with you if necessary.



It seems there is an optional module part number DVRWLA for that DVR that allows Wi-Fi connectivity using the USB port on the DVR, but it is unavailable/obsolete?

Thanks for your reply! The smart switches are wifi only with no ethernet connections. I have been trying to buy one of the dvrwla USB adapters but can't find a single one anywhere. I'm not sure if a generic USB WiFi adapter would work? So long as it doesn't require a disc driver to start up as I've been there and sent it back. Becoming a major yawn. In the service part of dvr it says it is picking up wifi signal for up and download yet in network area it won't pick up a single thing. Much confusion?!

Howdy @Kevin ...

What's the model number of the drive (DVR) ... maybe SHDV4KD4G1TB ?




This maybe an obvious/silly question but, can you run an Ethernet cable from the drive (DVR) to one of the smart switches? Then you would be able to get the remote access to the cameras via the app when away.

If not, then you should be able to use the TP-Link extender to connect the DVR's Ethernet port to the EE 4G hub's Wi-Fi to get the remote access (as they said when you contacted them). I do something similar to this... I have cameras on a switch at a site with no internet access... I use a TP-Link extender to connect the switch to a spare iPhone's 4G hotspot (very similar to what they suggested you do). I can detail that setup with you if necessary.



It seems there is an optional module part number DVRWLA for that DVR that allows Wi-Fi connectivity using the USB port on the DVR, but it is unavailable/obsolete?

 

[johnfitzy]

Hi @Kevin .... sorry I got busy with something since I last replied to you, I'll have a chance to review and catch up with this tomorrow!

 

[johnfitzy]

The smart switches are wifi only with no ethernet connections.

Yes, this the "issue"... if the switch had an Ethernet connection available, you would be all set just connecting the DVR to the switch with an Ethernet cable...

so instead, you should be able to use the TP-Link range extender (I use both model RE505X and RE603X to do similar) to create the connection between the DVR Ethernet port and the switch's Wi-Fi signal... connect an Ethernet cable from the DVR Ethernet port to the Ethernet port on the range extender... download the TP-Link "Tether" app to your cell phone and setup a user account... there's a "+" in the upper right hand corner of the app to add a new device... choose "Add a Range Extender" and follow the instructions the app will give you...

now, depending on how familiar you are with networking stuff, you may or may not need more details from here... when you get this far, let me know if you have questions....

BUT... this SHDV4KD4W system seems quite dated/obsolete? I'm not saying it won't work/meet your needs, but there are better systems out there for sure... the "ESP RekorHD" app you intend to use to view the cameras doesn't look like it's been updated for over 4 years and the DVR may have security vulnerabilities that haven't been addressed...

note that the name of this site includes "use-ip"... I'm a hobbyist with this stuff but I think most new installations these days use IP cameras (not the analog BNC connectors) ... in any case, if you want to try getting what you have working, go as far as I suggested above and then let me know where you get stuck!

 

[Kevin]

Thanks for all the detail, I appreciate the effort! I am not great at this but I got as far as ethernet from dvr to tp link in the hopes it would then pick up signal from the 4g wifi box but sadly no luck. If I can just get the dvr to "see" the wifi then I'd like to think it would connect. Currently the smart switches are connected to the 4g router and work no problem via their own app.
I'm just confused that in the system settings of the dvr it has a whole range of connectivity settings including wifi and 4g but when searching for a signal or device it finds nothing as it probably doesn't have a way to connect.
I haven't tried the tether via the tp app so I will give this a try and get back to you-probably with a photo of a new cctv system haha! Thanks again.

 

[johnfitzy]

Hi Kevin,

If I can just get the dvr to "see" the wifi then I'd like to think it would connect.

The DVR will NOT know/see Wi-Fi... it will be connected to the extender using Ethernet.

I'm just confused that in the system settings of the dvr it has a whole range of connectivity settings including wifi and 4g

Set the DVR to connect using Ethernet...

I haven't tried the tether via the tp app so I will give this a try

You MUST use the TP-Link Tether app to configure the extender... in the app hit the "+" in the upper right-hand corner of the app to add a new device... choose "Add a Range Extender" and follow the instructions the app will give you... you may have to hold the reset button on the extender for a few seconds to reset it and put it in configuration mode (some lights on the extender will start blinking)... the app will ask to connect your phone's Wi-Fi to the extender directly to add the extender to your TP-Link account... then you will be able to use the app to configure/connect the extender's Wi-Fi to your 4g router's Wi-Fi...

Try this and let me know if you get stuck somewhere!