Finding your RTSP URL

When you add a camera in ROG it requires the RTSP URL. But, what is an RTSP URL?

The Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) is a network control protocol designed for use in entertainment and communications systems to control streaming media servers. The protocol is used for establishing and controlling media sessions between end points.

While only the RTSP URL and security credentials are required for adding the IP camera source to ROG, the formatting of the URL may be different from model to model. The common format of the RTSP URL is: rtsp://ip_address[:rtsp_port]/server_URL[[?param1=val1[param2=val2]..[paramN=valN]] RTSP URL Parameters Note that in most cases, the word server can be freely interchanged with the words IP camera as every IP camera has an RTSP server built in. Parameters in brackets are optional. ip_address Typically, the RTSP servers use DHCP to obtain an IP address automatically. The servers usually provide a utility for detecting the server's IP address. This can be in the usual IPv4 format (xx.xx.xx.xx). Since ROG is a cloud based service, you will need to ensure that the IP Address is accessible from an external server. rtsp_port (Optional) The port number on which the server is listening for RTSP commands. The port must be a number from 1 to 65535. Port 554 is the default for RTSP. server_URL Each RTSP server has its own relative server URL, so you need to consult the camera's manual to obtain it. paramN=valN (Optional)

What is an RTSP URL?

Extra parameters on this context are server parameters which can be used to control compression, video size, etc. See the examples below for such parameters. Example RTSP URLs These examples are here to merely show the possible formatting for the RTSP URLs. They will not work for testing RTSP sources. Panasonic IP camera example: rtsp://192.168.1.111/MediaInput/h264 Sony IP camera example: rtsp://105.185.55.72:554/media/video1 Axis IP camera example (H264/AAC codecs used): rtsp://105.185.55.72:554/axis-media/media.amp?videocodec=h264&audiocodec=aac Axis IP camera example (MJPEG/G711 codecs used): rtsp://105.185.55.72:554/axis-media/media.amp?videocodec=jpeg&audiocodec=g711 Dahua NVR example: rtsp://105.185.55.72:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 Hikvision NVR example: rtsp://105.185.55.72:554/Streaming/Channels/101/ Resources: Solertec has a good list of RTSP URL formats for IP cameras http://www.soleratec.com/support/rtsp/rtsp_listing Security World is another database source of RTSP URL formats https://security.world/rtsp/ Alternatively, Google “camera or NVR manufacturer along with RTSP URL format”. And if all else fails, send a request to your device supplier or manufacturer to provide you the RTSP format information. Alternatively, you can try using the ONVIF Device Manager by following the following ONVIF Device Manager Guide or you can even try asking our support :)

ONVIF Device Manager Guide How to Find a RTSP Address for an ONVIF Compatible Camera/NVR/DVR

ONVIF Device Manager is an open-source software application (currently available for Windows only), which scans your network for cameras, DVR's, and NVR's, trying to locate a stream address that can then be used for connecting your device to the ROG Cloud.

Who should use this?

If you’ve already setup port-forwarding for your device, but ROG can't find a stream automatically and/or:

• Your device documentation doesn't mention a RTSP or MJPEG stream path • Your camera supplier or manufacturer provides no support • You can't find any documentation or information on Google

Finding a stream path

Step 1: Be sure that you are on the same network as the device you're trying to discover (advanced users can also try to find a stream address for remotely accessible cameras as well, just use the "Add" button and specify the public address and forwarded ONVIF port of the remote device)

Step 2: Download and install ONVIF Device Manager (Windows only)

Step 3: Click the "Refresh" button to scan your network

Step 4: Select "Live Video" from the menu

Step 5: Copy the stream address, shown under the live video, to your clipboard (be sure to replace your local IP address with the public one when connecting directly)

Note: Be sure to enter your security credentials in the upper left corner.