[SOLVED] Do I need DDNS to access video on my Camera ?

[hw_user]

I have a TPlink TAPO C200. I install the TAPO App and was able to see the video on my camera when I am travelling. I was just wondering how this works. I think my TAPO App is accessing my TAPO camera using direct access through my router. If I am right , the TAPO App must know the IP address of my router. My router is not using static IP and I do not have DDNS setup. In order to ensure that I can see the video when i am travelling, I must set up DDNS. Is that true ?
But I do not see that as a requirement in the user manual.

 

[kanewolf]

I have a TPlink TAPO C200. I install the TAPO App and was able to see the video on my camera when I am travelling. I was just wondering how this works. I think my TAPO App is accessing my TAPO camera using direct access through my router. If I am right , the TAPO App must know the IP address of my router. My router is not using static IP and I do not have DDNS setup. In order to ensure that I can see the video when i am travelling, I must set up DDNS. Is that true ?
But I do not see that as a requirement in the user manual.

My guess (I don't have those cameras), is that the camera registers with a TP-Link website. The app then connects to that website which contains a pointer to your IP. The camera acts like a DDNS updater.

 

[Ralston18]

This camera?

https://static.tp-link.com/manual/2021/202107/20210723/1910013030_Tapo C200(EU)2.0UG_V1.pdf

If you are already able to see the camera's view while traveling then the TAPO app has worked everything out with the router and the network in general.

Yes: the TAPO App needs to know your router's IP address

Key is to understand the difference between a Public IP address (which you should not share) and a Private IP address.

FYI:

https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-private-ip-address-2625970