Do you have start the VDR with the remote plugin and the -p... option?
Yes,
I attached log messages after i used the proper command
vdr -P"remote -p tcp:3333"
Nov 30 23:50:54 (none) user.info vdr: [8228] initializing plugin: remote (0.7.0): Remote control
Nov 30 23:50:54 (none) user.err vdr: [8228] ERROR: invalid primary device number: 1
Nov 30 23:50:54 (none) user.err vdr: [8228] ERROR: no primary device found - using first device!
Nov 30 23:50:54 (none) user.err vdr: [8228] ERROR: invalid primary device number: 1
Nov 30 23:50:54 (none) user.debug vdr: [8228] saving /etc/vdr/camtweaks.conf
Nov 30 23:50:54 (none) user.debug vdr: [8229] video directory scanner thread ended (pid=8228, tid=8229)
Nov 30 23:50:54 (none) user.debug vdr: [8230] epg data reader thread ended (pid=8228, tid=8230)
Nov 30 23:50:55 (none) user.info vdr: [8228] deleting plugin: remote
Nov 30 23:50:55 (none) user.info vdr: [8228] exiting, exit code 2
Perhaps it doesn't work because no DVB receiver connected?
As i mentioned in another thread if the DVB receiver is connected network will not work.