Where to find your camera's RTSP link

What an RTSP link is made of

Most addresses follow the same general pattern:

• Login and passwordThe credentials of a user created in the camera settings
• IP addressThe camera's local address or the router's public address
• PortThe camera's RTSP port; 554 is often the default
• Stream pathThe path to the stream, which depends on the manufacturer and model

If the password contains @, :, /, # or %, those characters may need to be URL encoded. For initial troubleshooting it is easier to create a separate user on the camera with a long password made up of letters and digits.

Where to look for the address

Start with the exact manufacturer name and model number on the label on the camera, on the box or in your router's device list. Then check the following sources:

1. The camera's web interface. Open its local IP address in a browser and look for sections such as “Network”, “Port”, “RTSP”, “Video”, “Stream” or “Integration”.
2. The manual and the manufacturer's website. Search for “exact model + RTSP URL” or “exact model + RTSP stream”.
3. The manufacturer's app. The advanced network settings sometimes list the RTSP port and a protocol toggle.
4. ONVIF. A compatible ONVIF discovery tool can retrieve the camera profile and the stream URI automatically.
5. The video recorder. For a camera connected to an NVR, the address may contain the recorder's IP and its channel number rather than the camera's own address.

Example RTSP links

Below are the common templates. Replace <login>, <password>, <ip> and <port> with your own values. Your particular model or firmware may use a different path.

Hikvision

101 usually means the main stream of the first channel, and 102 the sub stream. For the second channel, 201 and 202 are often used.

HiWatch

Most HiWatch devices use the Hikvision scheme: 101 is the main stream of the first channel and 102 the sub stream.

Dahua

subtype=0 usually selects the main stream and subtype=1 the sub stream.

Tiandy

The first digit usually denotes the channel and the second the stream: /1/1 is the main stream of the first channel and /1/2 the sub stream. Some series use a different path, so check the RTSP URI in the ONVIF profile.

Axis

Resolution, codec and profile parameters may be appended to the address depending on the model and configuration.

Hanwha Vision

The number in profile1 depends on the video profile created on the camera. Select the profile you need in the device's web interface.

Vivotek

Multi-stream models may use paths such as /live2.sdp and other stream numbers.

Reolink

The sub stream often ends in _sub. On some models RTSP has to be enabled in the network settings first.

TP-Link Tapo

stream1 is usually the main stream and stream2 the sub stream. Use the separate camera account created in the Tapo app.

Uniview

The sub stream often uses the path /media/video2.

Milesight

The sub stream usually uses the path /sub.

Imou

Many models use the Dahua scheme: subtype=0 for the main stream and subtype=1 for the sub stream. RTSP is not available on every model and may need to be enabled in the app.

EZVIZ

On compatible models the password is often the verification code printed on the device label. RTSP support and the path depend on the model and firmware version.

UniFi Protect

For UniFi cameras, the RTSP or RTSPS address is generated in the UniFi Protect interface for the camera and stream quality you select. Copy the URL the system issues: there is no universal path you can safely put together by hand.

RVi, TRASSIR and Beward

These manufacturers use a range of hardware platforms and product lines whose paths do not match. Find the URI through ONVIF, the web interface or the documentation for your exact model. Do not reuse the path from a similar camera just because it carries the same brand name.

Generic ONVIF variant

This path appears on some OEM cameras, but it is not a universal standard. It is better to obtain the exact URI from the device's ONVIF profile.

Main stream or sub stream

A camera often provides several RTSP streams with different settings:

• The main stream — the highest resolution and quality, but a higher bitrate and more load on your internet connection.
• The sub stream — lower resolution and bitrate, quicker to start and usually a better fit for a public stream.

Start with the sub stream. If its quality is not enough and your upload speed allows, switch to the main stream.

Local and external addresses

On a local network the link may contain an address such as 192.168.1.100. The rtsp.me server sits outside your network and cannot connect to an address like that directly.

For a direct connection, use your router's public IP or DDNS name together with the external port forwarded to the camera's RTSP port:

If you have no public IP, use the MyVMS Bridge, RTMP Push on a compatible camera, or a ready-to-use rtsp.me camera. The connection diagram is set out in detail on the “How to create a live stream on a website” page.

How to test the link

1. Put together the full RTSP address with the login, password, address, port and stream path.
2. Open rtsp.me and paste the link into the test form.
3. Click “Test” and wait for the result of the remote check.

If the stream does not open, check the credentials, the RTSP port, the path, whether RTSP is enabled on the camera and whether the external port is reachable. For H.265, try the H.264 sub stream if your camera lets you choose the codec.

Frequently asked questions