Connect any IP video camera to Eldes alarm systems using RTSP protocol
Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) allows you to connect any IP camera to the Eldes alarm system via the Eldes Security mobile app. The RTSP solution enables you to:
- Livestream your cameras anytime;
- Take a quick livestream snapshot (snapshots are saved to the device storage);
- Make instant video recordings (records saved to the device storage);
- Listen to what is happening around the area (the camera model must support this function);
- Change video quality preference (available for certain camera models).
There are a few steps needed to establish a connection:
- To set a router or other network equipment;
- To configure the IP camera;
- To obtain an RTSP link and establish a video stream;
- To connect the camera use the Eldes Security app.
Exploring the video transmission from the IP camera to the Eldes Security app
An IP camera records the video and creates a live data stream through a closed channel. The channel can be reached via particular software using an RTSP link to the camera video stream. Eldes Security app helps you access the video by connecting to the camera using this link.
Supported equipment
Below you can see the list of our systems that support RTSP video stream:
| DEVICE NAME | FW VERSION required: |
| ESIM484 | All FW versions |
| ESIM384 | All FW versions |
| Pitbull Alarm Pro | All FW versions |
| Pitbull Alarm | From FW version 01.02.00 |
Note: the same IP camera can be added and used by multiple users!
How to check if your camera model supports the RTSP protocol?
This could often be found on the manufacturer’s website (look for the part describing device specifications). If you cannot find it, then opt for online services. For instance, try http://www.ispyconnect.com/ :
- Select the camera’s manufacturer;
- Find your device model. If your device is not on the list, it probably doesn‘t support the RTSP protocol and the camera can‘t be connected to the Eldes alarm panel via the RTSP link.
1. How to set up a router or other network equipment
Note: detailed port forwarding configuration steps and documentation should be provided by the manufacturer.
Things you should consider in network configuration before connecting an IP camera
Does your internet provider provide a public static IP address?
To be able to view the camera video from anywhere in the world, you must have a public IP address. The public IP address can be permanent or dynamic. We recommend using a permanent IP address as a dynamic IP address might change and will require you to update your camera RTSP link. You can check your current public IP here: https://2ip.io or with a simple Google search “what is my IP”.
Note: If your internet provider does not provide a public static IP address you can use DDNS services. This will bind your dynamic IP address with the persistent domain name. Then you can use this domain name in the RTSP link.
Does your camera and your network equipment support UPnP?
To make the camera video viewable from the Eldes app, you must redirect the external network port to the internal port of your camera. UPnP function simplifies this process significantly.
Note: UPnP is an automatic network equipment configuration function performing required port forwarding automatically.
After the UPnP function is turned ON, the ports will be automatically redirected to the camera. They can also be redirected manually (if the IP camera or router does not support this function or if something goes wrong with the automatic configuration).
How to redirect network ports
If your equipment has the UPnP function, turn it ON in the settings of the IP camera and the router. After this, the ports will be redirected automatically.
How to enable the UPnP function on your router
- Go to the router settings.
- Select the Forwarding category.
- Go to the UPnP tab and click Enable if this option has been disabled.
How to make Port forwarding manually (if the UPnP function is not supported)
If the UPnP function is not supported or you want to redirect the ports manually, then:
- Open the ‘Forwarding’ or similar section in the router settings.
- Specify the network ports: the internal port (that is used by the camera within the network, the value is specified in the manufacturer’s instructions) and the external port (that will be accessible from the outside world).
Attention! It is not recommended to use the following network ports: 20, 21, 22, 53, 80, 110, 138, 139, 443, 3306, 3128, 3389, 5900 as they might be used by common internet services.
Remember that the external port must not be used already (allowed in the router settings and not occupied by any service). You can check it via online services, such as https://2ip.io/check-port. If it says that the port is ‘open’, it means that it is already used by some service. If still have problems with the discovery of an unused port – contact your internet provider.
Note: IP cameras use port 554 by default but the port number may vary for different manufacturers. The exact value can be found in the device manual. - Save the settings and reboot the router. The ports should be forwarded.
Note: When connecting several IP cameras, you must assign and configure individual network ports for each.
2. How to configure an IP camera
IP camera configuration (to be exact – IP address and port setup) depends on its model and can be implemented via a browser, an app, or a video recorder. Therefore, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions when configuring video equipment.
Instructions on configuring IP cameras:
How to configure a Hikvision IP camera
How to configure a Dahua IP camera
How to configure a Uniview IP camera
3. How do you obtain an RTSP link and establish a video stream?
Method 1: Using the manufacturer’s documentation
The RTSP link format is typically specified in the manufacturer’s documentation or in the camera web interface.
Example of an RTSP URL link for Dahua IP camera:
rtsp://username:password@ip:port/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0
• Username: Your username. For example, admin.
• Password: Your password. For example, admin.
• IP: Your device IP. For example, 192.168.1.122.
• Port: Leave it if the value is 554 by default.
• Channel: Channel number starting from 1. For example, if it is channel 2, then enter channel=2.
• Subtype: stream type. The main stream is 0 (subtype=0); the sub stream is 1 (subtype=1).
For example, if you require the sub-stream of channel 2 from a certain device, then the URL shall be:
rtsp://admin:[email protected]:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=2&subtype=1
Method 2: Using online services
For example, RTSP link generator
- Select the corresponding camera from the list on the website;
- Fill in the form, specifying the external IP address, network port, login and password for the camera.
- Click ‘Generate’. You will obtain a link to your video stream. If necessary, replace the incorrect data in the link with the correct ones.
Use VLC media player (or any player that allows viewing streaming video) to check the functioning of the RTSP link.
How to view a video from an IP camera using VLC media player:
• Launch VLC media player;
• Select ‘File’ —> ‘Open network’;
• Enter the RTSP link and click ‘Open’.
If you are not able to see the video stream, then check the settings of the camera or the network equipment. Check all the settings carefully.
If the equipment is properly set but the stream from the video camera is still not displayed, contact the service support of the video surveillance system manufacturer.
4. How to connect the camera using the Eldes Security app
Adding a camera
The new RTSP solution offers an easy and reliable way of adding an IP camera. Please check the video and follow the recommended steps:
How the solution works
After you have successfully added your IP camera using the new RTSP method, please find out more about the possibilities of our new solution (check this video):