I have just installed my Uniden UDW20553 Video Surveillance System. I was under the impression that I would have remote access to view my cameras from anywhere in the world on my laptop. Have looked high and low, read both manuals cover to cover, cannot find anything about this. Can anyone tell me how I do this? thanks

The only solution I have found is using Remote Desktop Connection and running the Uniden application. On my Iphone I found that using Pocket Cloud Remote Desktop (RDP Itunes download application) works best. You must also download a free application named "Pocket Cloud Companion" on the PC your Uniden software is running. Pocket Cloud Companion must be running for connection to made through 3G, Edge or Wifi networks. Also, you have to configure your remote connections by using your PC's IP address rather then the name of your pc, particularly if making connection on 3G network.

You can use Uniden cameras (as well as other USB, IP, webcam, etc.) cameras with free software from http://www.ispyconnect.com/ which also markets remote viewing subscriptions thru their website (which links to your home internet-connected computer or network).
Services run about $8/mo or $70/yr. Uniden's software doesn't support remote access. I'd try ispyconnect on a monthly basis to start to see if it works for you, if you want remote viewing. They have slightly higher prices if you want phone SMS services to notify you of camera activity. Without subscribing, you can set up your home PC or laptop with the free ispyconnect software to monitor cameras from anywhere within your home's wireless or wired network. Remote-viewing subscriptions have caveats, like when your power goes off at home while you're away, and the PC can't reboot with the camera software running unattended, or you don't have backup power on your monitoring PC. There are other solutions such as windows remote desktop access mentioned in another reply, but serious users will purchase more fail-safe commercial versions of remote access software (maybe $100-$150 one-time purchase) to do this and might have to call their ISP to ask them to open up-link network ports on your internet service to accommodate remote access.

Another cheap approach might be to have a dedicated PC running Skype non-stop with it's camera pointed where you want to monitor activity and connect it with another Skype device remotely. Apple products also have their versions of Skype-type software.

Best thing is a static ip address. Then open ports in the router. Then go to canyouseeme.org and see if the ports are successful on opening. If you don't go with a static ip address then use a service like dyndns.com and that service will keep any changes from the isp if the wan ip address changes. If you use a static ip and ports are open then you should be able to type in the static ip address followed by :9000 would look something like this 345.66.345.23:9000 or what ever port for web browsing or cell phone moble browsing. If you do not go with static ip then the dyndns name you chose will find it even if ip address changes.Then it would look like this http://mydvr.dyndns-home.com:9000 as a example