Cloud video surveillance from IP cameras

What it is

Cloud video surveillance combines a live stream from an IP camera with remote storage of its recordings. The camera sends its stream over the internet to rtsp.me, and the owner reaches the video through their account.

No separate media server, no recorder with a public interface and no permanently running computer are required. A compatible IP camera and a stable internet connection are enough.

The service works for a single camera or for a network of cameras across different rooms, branches and remote sites.

Capabilities

• Live viewingVideo in a modern browser on desktop and mobile
• Cloud archiveRecordings stored without a local video server
• Two modesContinuous recording or motion-triggered recording
• RetentionYou choose how many days the archive keeps
• TimelineJump straight to the date and time you need
• ExportSave selected video clips
• Access controlArchive for the owner only, or for viewers too
• ScalingCameras from several sites in one account

Live and archive

The live stream shows what is happening right now, while the archive lets you go back to events that have already happened. The two complement each other.

Live viewing

Use it for day-to-day oversight: check how a room is running, the state of the grounds, a queue, the weather or the general situation on site.

Archive playback

Pick a date and time on the timeline to reconstruct a sequence of events, review a customer enquiry or watch a moment you missed.

Recording modes

Continuous recording

The stream is saved without interruption for as long as recording is on and the camera is reachable. This mode suits sites where a continuous history without gaps matters.

Motion-triggered recording

Only the periods linked to detected motion are stored. This mode is convenient for rooms and areas where events do not happen constantly.

The right mode depends on the camera's purpose, how much activity is in frame and how complete the archive has to be. For critical sites, check in advance whether motion detection suits that particular angle and lighting.

Archive pricing

Cloud recording starts from 0.08 Euro per camera per day, and the archive can be enabled for as little as a single day.

• From 0.08 EuroPer camera, per day of recording
• From one dayEnable the archive for exactly the period you need
• Flexible modeContinuous recording or motion detection
• Your retentionThe camera owner sets how deep the archive goes

Recording can be switched on and off in the camera settings. The final amount depends on the parameters you choose and how long the archive stays enabled.

Current rates, invoicing rules and payment methods are described on the payment terms page.

How to switch the archive on

If the camera is already added on rtsp.me, there is no need to change the RTSP link or create a new stream.

1. Sign in to your rtsp.me account.
2. Open the settings of the stream you need.
3. Go to the Video archive tab.
4. Choose continuous recording or motion-triggered recording.
5. Specify how many days should be kept.
6. Set who is allowed to view the archive.
7. Save the settings and check that recordings appear on the timeline.

If the camera is not connected yet, start with the guide “How to create a live stream on a website”.

Player with archive — example

In this player you can open the timeline, jump to an available recording and see how the cloud video archive behaves.

Scroll the timeline to find the moment you need. Available segments can be selected and exported for later use.

Access to recordings

The owner decides who may use a particular camera's archive.

• Owner only. Viewers see the live stream but cannot open past recordings.
• Viewers as well. Player users are given access to the permitted archive.

For internal cameras it is worth limiting the archive to authorized users and reviewing access rights regularly.

Further ways to restrict viewing are described on the page “How to protect a stream from copying”.

Where it is used

• shops, pickup points and customer areas;
• warehouses, production floors and construction sites;
• parking lots, car washes and repair shops;
• offices, coworking spaces and server rooms;
• cafés, restaurants and service businesses;
• tourist sites, marinas and RV parks;
• weather, road and city cameras;
• remote sites with no video server of their own.

For each scenario, decide in advance on a suitable angle, recording mode, retention period and the set of users who get access.

Recording reliability

The cloud archive depends on the source stream being available. If the camera is switched off, loses its network or stops sending video, the missing segment cannot be recorded to the cloud.

• use a stable wired connection where one is available;
• check the upload speed at the site;
• set the camera's date and time correctly;
• use H.264 and the recommended stream parameters;
• protect the camera and router against power interruptions;
• check from time to time that new recordings are appearing.

The recommended camera profile is on the page “Recommended IP camera settings”.

Privacy and security

Recordings may contain personal data and other sensitive information. The camera owner is responsible for the lawfulness of filming, for informing people, for retention periods and for granting access in line with applicable requirements.

• do not point a camera into private areas without a lawful basis;
• use a unique, strong camera password;
• grant archive access only to those who need it;
• choose a retention period that matches the actual purpose;
• export and share recordings only over trusted channels;
• revoke access for staff who no longer require it.

Frequently asked questions