Alien DVR Client 4+

I frequently get a 'failed connection' on one or more cameras. Have to keep refreshing cam to eventually get it working - even if viewing single channel. Same problem when trying to PTZ cams. Problem bad at home on fast local network but much worse from remote WiFi networks.
The UI is too bright.
Problems present on old Alien Pro and latest Alien MaxPix.
App is so close to being really good. Please make the extra effort and get its reliability sorted.

Dear Customer

From the information you have provided I would suggest you need to ensure the settings you are entering into the App are for remote access to the DVR, I would recommend you looking on our website for some more information, or perhaps contact your original installer/ supplier of the equipment if you require more assistance on the setup.

www.aliendvr.com/support/

Kind Regards
Robert
AlienDVR Support Team

I do love having this app on my phone, but recently I have had to delete the app and download again a few times.
Works no problem on my tv but sometimes the app just doesn’t connect on my phone.
I can go a few months with it working perfectly then it just stops.
Not sure if there is a new update needed but hate being without it as I use it more on my phone than I do on my tv.
I have lots of phone data and my home WiFi is great. Hope the app gets some sort of update soon. Thank you

Dear Customer

Depending on where you are viewing the DVR (for example WIFI or on 3G) will affect what address/ details you have entered into the App, If you are using a Local IP address for example and you are on a remote network - this may not work.

I would recommend contacting your original installer/ supplier of the DVR and they should be able to work out weather or not the setup in the App if correct and explain what address or domain you should be using.

For more details see our help guides and tips on our website:

http://www.aliendvr.com/support/

The App itself typically isn't the main reason as to why you can't connect to your DVR, sometimes this may be due to external factors like upload bandwidth from the router where the DVR is to the internet.

I hope this helps,

Kind Regards
AlienDVR - Support Team

I recently downloaded this app on both iPhone & iPad and noticed that footage can only be fast forwarded at X4 speed on the iPhone (very slow & painful) and bizarrely there is no option at all on the iPad version to fast forward footage during playback. I have tried contacting alien’s technical support regarding this but their website is just as bad!

Robert, There is no issue with broadband as the footage plays fine it’s more the apps that are the problem. It would be nice to have the option of fast forwarding on IPad & more fast forward speeds like x8,x16 on phone app

Dear Customer

When you are away from site (remote access) this type of playback can be difficult depending on the upload speed of the internet where the DVR is. Standard playback (with a 1080p, 12fps recording) will require at least 5mbps upload, so anything higher will require even more upload speed. With older analogue DVRs (4CIF, 12 fps recording) these only required 1mbps upload speed.

I accept your comment as to it being bizarre why one App has the option and the simple answer to this is the iPhone client was released earlier to the iPad App. Meaning the iPhone app was designed earlier when DVRs required less upload bandwidth than what is required nowadays to the newer HD versions of the DVRs. The AlienDVR HD Client had newer DVRs in mind when accessing DVRs remotely and playing back a HD image, which is difficult so fast forward was not implemented.

Kind Regards
Robert
AlienDVR Support Team