Accessing the web service on one of our DVR's, NVR's or IP cameras requires that you use a compatible browser. Attempting to log in remotely to one or all of these devices with an incompatible browser will produce unpredictable errors. What is a compatible browser? A compatible browser is one that can use ActiveX controls. Therefore, you  must use one of the following two browsers:

  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Mozilla Firefox

Given that ActiveX is a proprietary Microsoft technology it is best to use IE 11, but if you are unable to use it due to whatever reasons, Firefox is good as a backup. Here we'll go over the necessary steps to get the ActiveX controls working for the Web Service on your surveillance cameras.

If you don't have Firefox, but would like to use it, you can download it here.

Access the Web Service

Open Mozilla Firefox and enter the IP address or DDNS address of your network camera or DVR into the URL bar at the top of the page. Once you reach the page a popup should appear like the one below:

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Click install.

You will be prompted to decide what action to take with the webplugin.exe file. This is the file needed to view video and change settings. This file is known to trigger false positives on antivirus software.

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Click Save File.

If your antivirus blocked it and deemed it a threat, disable your antivirus for 5 minutes and get this installed. Without it you will not be able to view video or change settings. You may not even be able to log in.

When the file finishes downloading you should see it in a small window below the download arrow on the browser's task bar.

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Double-click the file to open it.

Depending on your operating system and settings you may or may not be prompted by Windows to take action on the install.

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If you are prompted click yes.

The install should run in the background. When it comes time to run the DLL you'll be prompted that Firefox has blocked the plugin. Another false positive.

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Click Allow.

Now you will have to tell Firefox what to do with it in the future.

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Click allow and remember. If you only allow now, the next instance of Firefox to visit the site will prompt you again to allow or disallow the plugin. It can go easily unnoticed at the top and cause you unnecessary headaches in the future.

Now you are set to log in and configure your device.

Matt Rossi is a Technical Support Manager at CCTV Camera World, a leading CCTV Camera distributor located in Buffalo, NY. He is a technical support expert for everything video surveillance related.

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