RTSP URLs: Real Time Streaming Protocol URLs For (Nearly) Every Camera Manufacturer

RTSP streaming url formatting for SCW, Avigilon, Axis, Hanwha Techwin (previously Samsung), Hikvision, Dahua, Arecont Vision, Pelco, Vivotek, ACTi, Uniview, Honeywell, Swann, Lorex, EzViz, Flir, Blink, Ring, Nest, Alro, and Verkada

decoding: a video surveillance software blog

What is RTSP?

Real time streaming protocol or RTSP is essentially the pure video and audio feed coming off IP cameras, NVRs, or networked DVRs. We use RTSP stream urls to ingest video into our hybrid-cloud, computer vision enabled, video management platform, survail.

RTSP stream URLs from (nearly) Every Manufacturer

SCW


SCW Admiral line cameras

rtsp://<ip>:<port>/media/video<stream type>

As far as video<stream type>, the number specifies the stream type - video1 would be mainstream, video2 for substream, and video3 for third stream etc

Stream URLs can be found via the web interface by going to Setup - Network - Port

You can also encode credentials into the URL by entering it prior to the IP address - for example.

Example URL: rtsp://admin:12345scw@192.168.1.210/media/video2 will bring up substream for the camera.

Older v1 Admiral line cameras may stream at rtsp://<ip>:<port>/video<stream type>


SCW Admiral/Imperial NVRs

rtsp://<ip>:<port>/unicast/c<channel number>/s<stream type>/live

<channel number> - c1 would be channel 1, c2 channel 2, etc

<stream type>: 0 (main stream) or 1 (sub stream) or 2 (third stream)

Stream URLs can be found via the web interface by going to Setup - Network - Port

You can also encode credentials into the URL by entering it prior to the IP address - for example.

Example URL: rtsp://admin:12345scw@192.168.1.210/unicast/c2/s2/live will bring up third stream for channel 2 on the NVR located at 192.168.1.210 , where admin is the username and 12345 is the password.


SCW Networker/Vanguard NVR line

rtsp://<address>:<port>/Streaming/Channels/<id>

<address> - IP for the system

<port> - RTSP port (typically 554)

<id> - streaming channel - for example “101” would be channel 1 and stream #1 (mainstream). Changing the <id> to 102 would create channel 1 and stream #2. 201 would produce the channel #2 of the NVR and mainstream and 202 would produce channel #2 and substream.

Example: rtsp://192.168.1.210:554/Streaming/Channels/101

This RTSP stream would mainstream channel 1 on an NVR at 192.168.1.210.

You can also encode credentials into the URL by entering it prior to the IP address - for example.

Example URL: rtsp://admin:12345@192.168.1.210:554/Streaming/Channels/101, where admin is the username and 12345 is the password.


What uses a RTSP Feed? Who would need it?

If you've ever been frustrated with a camera that locks you into their service, then you know why RTSP matters!

The RTSP stream can be useful in working in custom applications and situations or to isolate a video feed to add to a NVR for basic recording functionality. RTSP streams can be played in network video players such as VLC.

Some common uses for RTSP streams include

A) Adding an older camera to an NVR

Older, non ONVIF or poorly optimized ONVIF cameras may not always work with your new NVR. Many NVRs allow you to add a custom protocol to include the RTSP stream. This would allow your camera to work with your new NVR as a basic video feed. RTSP does not transmit motion, VCA, or any other analytics to the recorder, so only basic 24/7 recording is available.

B) Custom Applications

Developers will often call an RTSP stream to use in custom applications that boost or add features to a camera. This could include features such as more advanced analytics or cloud recording.

C) Streaming to a service

Some services allow you to send an RTSP stream to a

How to find your RTSP stream

RTSP streams are often not completely obvious to end users. While some systems will put the RTSP stream somewhere in the settings of the NVR or camera, others are hidden away behind documents, APIs, etc.

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