SWANN tech support

Has anyone got anywhere with Swann tech support ?

heres the live chat i had with them, i think they must be reading a script or something. does anyone have an emaill address for them

here is my fun conversation of which the just stopped talking to me... lol

":26 PM Connecting...

4:26 PM Connected. A support representative will be with you shortly.

4:27 PM Support session established with SwannTechF.

4:27 PM SwannTechF:

Hi this is RJ, how can I assist you?

4:27 PM Chris:

hi

4:27 PM Chris:

im trying to connect to my dvr via a web page

4:27 PM Chris:

but i do not use windows i use linux

4:28 PM Chris:

this works perfect with the android app on my phone

4:28 PM Chris:

is there a way ?

4:28 PM Chris:

thanks

4:28 PM Chris:

also what is the password for the telnet login ?

4:29 PM SwannTechF:

Well you need to use a safari browser or a windows based computer

4:30 PM SwannTechF:

there's no way we can use a linux software atr this time to set up the dvr for network access

4:30 PM Chris:

that sux

4:30 PM Chris:

isnt the dvr linux based os

4:30 PM SwannTechF:

and for your router username and password you need to contact your ISP

4:30 PM SwannTechF:

Okay?

4:30 PM Chris:

no no not my router

4:30 PM Chris:

the DV4-1200 has telnet open

4:30 PM Chris:

i can telnet to it

4:31 PM SwannTechF:

Once you got the username and password and once you got a windows based computer

4:31 PM Chris:

i know it will be root as the username but whats the password

4:31 PM SwannTechF:

contact us again

4:31 PM Chris:

???

4:32 PM Chris:

is that it?

4:33 PM Chris:

hmm not the tech support i was expecting, do you have a tech support 3rd line email ?

4:34 PM SwannTechF:

But Chris it we can't really set this up using a linux software

4:35 PM SwannTechF:

You need to use Windows OS or Safari browser to view the cameras online

4:35 PM Chris:

ok i understand using the active thing,,,, whats the telnet access password on the dvr

4:37 PM SwannTechF:

are you referring to the dvr username and password?

4:37 PM SwannTechF:

or the ports need to be forwarded?

4:38 PM Chris:

TELNET

4:38 PM Chris:

telnet is a console access

4:38 PM Chris:

the username is root

4:38 PM Chris:

but i dont know the password

4:38 PM Chris:

its not the username or password for my dvr users "

I wouldn't count on much from swann. Some of their stuff is rebranded so maybe you could find your dvr under a different make and call them?

Hey, that is pretty good tech support, they answered!

if you have a ttl-serial interface and don't mind opening the box, you can get access:

http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=207973#p207973

although it looks like the footage is stored on the unmounted part of the partition in a proprietary way (dvrfs) so extracting that will be a little tricky. The main dvr process is a single executable application looks like it's statically linked so limited options for interacting with that too.... oh and the chipset (hi3515) only has binary kernel libraries installed, documentation and source code seems limited.

having said that once you have a login onto the box there's bound to be something interesting you can get it to do. just haven't decided what yet!

Hi all.

Just a few points about BT Homehub2/ and 3 ive tried with my Swann camera DVR system.

I had a BTHomehub3a and spent hours trying to port forward etc etc slowly losing the will to live.

I spent hours online researching this and found out its a firmware problem with them (great)!

I got in touch via twitter to @btcare and asked them to send me a new router because of the port forwarding faults in the router.

They despatched me a new Homehub2b which is supposed to be better.

IT ISN'T MUCH BETTER!

I bit the bullet and went to Maplin and bought a new NETGEAR N300 Adsl router.

This is an excellent bit of kit and for £89.99 it has kept me from going (completeley) insane!

The router was setup from scratch with my BT broadband line (ADSL) without problems, the port forwarding was setup, the wireless setup in minutes for all our devices from Blackberries, to Archos tablets for the kids, PS3, Laptops etc & it is opening ports and forwarding them as it should.

My recommendation to you all with the same problem, is cut your losses and THROW YOUR HOMEHUBS IN THE BIN AND BUY A NETGEAR N300 from Maplin.

This is the solution to all my problems getting my Swann DVR online.

I was also having problems getting my Swannview Blackberry App to stream the images from the DVR, but another little trick is:- Whatever your password is setup as on your DVR, if its over 6 characters Eg "Zebbedee" then it wont work. You need to take the first 6characters from this and enter into the Swannview app as your password. So you would put your IP address in, port 18004, channel select, the user id, then enter ZEBBED out of the password and VOILA it works!

I hope this helps someone after i nearly gave up after all the problems i had.

Good luck everyone.

Matty.

Sorry to revive a year old thread, but someone may find this useful.

The telnet login credentials for the Swann DVR4-1200 (and probably others) are:

username: root

password: 123456

I highly recommend that you login and change the password with the command: passwd

TBH I would not trust the security of this DVR.

Don't port forward directly to it. It has no encryption and will send your password in plain text.

If you want to securely connect from outside your LAN, buy a small office router with VPN capablities.