Remote Recording

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ShadowAD
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Remote Recording

Post by ShadowAD » Sat Jun 29, 2019 01:37

Hi, I added the Beyonwiz App to the mobile today. All good found the V2 and can see the recordings and etc. I tested the app by adding a future recording and worked great but the mobile is connected to the home WIFI and when changed to the mobile data the V2 loses connection. If I wanted to add a recording to the unit and wasn't home do I need to setup the unit to mobile data as well as home?

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MrQuade
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Re: Remote Recording

Post by MrQuade » Sat Jun 29, 2019 02:15

The easiest way by far is to subscribe to the IceTV EPG service. It costs a fee per-month, but for that, you get an enhanced EPG on the WIz, and the ability to easily set up series recordings, and avoid recording repeats. It lets you set up recordings from an app or their web page, and the Wiz will automatically check the IceTV servers every so often to check for any new recordings.


The other method is to allow your router to let connections in from the Internet, and that is a little trickier, but doesn't require a monthly fee.

You want to ensure that if you set up a remote connection, that it is secure. What you don't want is just anyone getting access to your Beyonwiz from the Internet.

In fact there is yet another nasty worm/virus doing the rounds at the moment (been in the news), that specifically targets IOT devices and other devices like the Beyonwiz that run light Linux based operating systems, so you want to make sure yours is safe.

Ideally what you need is for your router to host its own VPN server so that you can use your phone to set up a VPN connection to your house's network. That will make it appear as if your phone is directly attached to your home network, even if you are on mobile data and miles away.

Most decent home Internet routers have some sort of VPN server hosting capability, so have a look at the manual for yours and see what it offers.
Ideally you want to use a OpenVPN type server, but the next best thing is a IPSec/L2TP VPN. The simplest, but least secure VPN type is a PPTP type, but that should be a last resort.

You will also need some way of ensuring that your phone knows where to find your home network on the Internet. What you need there is some sort of Dynamic DNS service. There are many such free services available to choose from, and your router's manufacturer may even have its own service for that. Again, check the manual for more info on that. (I personally use a paid account with a Dynamic DNS company called "NoIP").

What you don't want to do is set up simple port forwarding rules in your Router to get to your Beyonwiz from the Internet.


On the Beyonwiz, you will also need to enable "VPN access" via the OpenWebIf plugin MENU->Setup->Plugins->Plugin browser->OpenWebIf
That will tell the Wiz that it is ok to accept a connection that isn't coming from directly from your home network.



Once you have a working VPN to your home network, you can use that for lots of other things like accessing other smart devices in the home, or accessing documents and photos off your PC for use while you are out and about.
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peteru
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Re: Remote Recording

Post by peteru » Sun Jun 30, 2019 00:45

tl;dr: "If you need to ask, you can't afford* it."

Slightly more elaborate summary: Configure your router to provide VPN services so that your mobile phone can be part of the home network, even when out and about.

* Where afford means "be able to do it properly".

"Beauty lies in the hands of the beer holder."
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