Hi all! Very technologically impaired person here trying to set up this channels DVR. I downloaded the software onto my laptop first, however, I don't think that will work very well as my laptop is often closed, dead, etc.
So I'm reading up on this NAS thing but I don't think I really understand... can I plug an external hard drive into my router to make it a NAS and install the software onto that somehow instead? How do I do that?
The only NAS options I see are:
Any help is appreciated!
You need an always-on computer or NAS.
If you want something cheap the Raspberry Pi is a good solution: http://getchannels.com/raspberry-pi
A NAS is a bit more than an external hard drive. A NAS is an external drive connected directly to the network but they each include their own OS, one of the functions of the OS is to act as a server for the files stored there.
External hard drives provide storage but rely on another PC - laptop, Rpi, MAC etc to provide the "server" function to make those files available.
That is a basic description of the differences. The different models of NAS vary in their capabilities so be aware of that.
Hope this helps.
So I used my router to turn my WD MyCloud external drive into a NAS but I can't figure out which software to use. There are a lot of options for WD MyCloud...
It is not possible to use a router for your DVR. Routers have very little CPU and RAM and are meant for routing your internet access. Running extra software on there is not recommended.
No I'm sorry for the confusion. I plugged my External Hard Drive into my Router via USB and network mapped it and turned it into a NAS.
Unfortunately that doesn't make it compatible with Channels DVR.
It says it's compatible with WD MyCloud so why wouldn't it be?
Wait, I think I follow: you have attached a WD MyCloud to your network. Next step is to install Channels DVR.
Only you can know which version MyCloud you have. Then pick from the list. You've probably already gotten to this page: https://getchannels.com/dvr-server/#wdmycloud From there you need to know which model and OS version you have, and how to get to the MyCloud Apps tab over your LAN.
An NAS is less work in the long run than a Mac or PC, but maybe you'd be more comfortable installing on one of those just for now, while you see how you like Channels DVR.
Yes! That's what I was trying to explain haha. Sorry I'm very technologically inept so this has been a 2+ hour process
That link you sent is where I'm stuck. I can't seem to figure out which version I have or how to access the my cloud interface.
Only MyCloud devices with a network port are supported. A USB drive is not going to work.
Ah that's my issue then. This is just a regular old external hard drive.
Ah-ha! Confusion clarified.
Yep that's what I'll have to do. And set an Alexa reminder to make sure my computer is on when I want to record things lol
My understanding is that the DVR server will install on an nvidia shield, if that is accurate, you can run on that platform and use it as a client as well. If this is totally inaccurate, someone correct me please.
Yes, the shield could be a good solution for you.
I don't know what that means haha... might be better for me to stick to a computer.
Now I can't get it to work on my computer either 
The app on my fire tv says no channels DVR can be found on my IP address
It might need time to find it. Or you may need to manually input it into the Fire TV app. Do you know the IP address? https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-your-ip-address-f21a9bbc-c582-55cd-35e0-73431160a1b9
Also, your PC's firewall settings have to allow this communication.
Can you at least use it in your web browser on the same PC? http://[IP address]:8089/admin/guide/grid