RTSP

RTSP solution: connecting any IP camera to Eldes alarm systems

Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) offers you a chance to connect any IP camera to the Eldes alarm system via Eldes Security mobile app. The RTSP solution allows you to:

• Livestream your cameras anytime;
• Take a quick livestream snapshot (snaphots are saved to the device storage);
• Make instant video record (records saved to the device storage);
• Listen what is happening around the area (camera model must support this function);
• Change video quality preference (available if a manufacturer is selected).

There are few steps needed to establish the right connection:

1. To set a router or other network equipment;
2. To configure IP camera;
3. To obtain an RTSP link and establish a video stream;
4. To connect the camera using the Eldes Security app.

Exploring the video transmission from IP camera to the Eldes Security app

An IP camera records the video and creates a livestream of data 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 to access the video by connecting to the camera using this link.

No limits!

When you choose Eldes video solution, there is no limit of IP cameras that can be connected to the alarm system. Below you can see the list of our systems that support RTSP video stream:

DEVICE NAME	FW VERSION NOTE:
ESIM384	All FW versions
Pitbull Alarm Pro	All FW versions
ESIM364	From FW version 02.10.00
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 could not 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 in the list, then probably it doesn‘t support the RTSP protocol and the camera can‘t be connected to the Eldes alarm panel via RTSP link.

1. How to a set 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 changing of a dynamic IP address leads to a change of the camera RTSP link. Consequently, the video from the camera will not be available until a new RTSP link is generated. Information about the public IP address will be provided by your internet provider.

Note: If your internet provider does not provide a public static IP address or you are not comfortable with its conditions, use DDNS services. They allow viewing camera streams from anywhere in the world even if you do not have a public static IP address.

Do the camera and your network equipment support UPnP

In order 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 for making device control easier.

After UPnP function is turned ON, the ports will be automatically redirected. They can also be redirected manually (if the IP camera or router does not support this function, or in the case when 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 a 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 UPnP function is not supported)

If UPnP function is not supported or you want to redirect the ports manually, then:

1. Open the ‘Forwarding’ section in the router settings. Choose ‘Port Triggering’ and click ‘Add New’.
2. 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 are most often used by various utility services.
   Remember that the external port must be obtainable (opened in the router settings and not occupied by any service). You can check it via online services, for example: 2ip.io. If you have problems with the discovering of an open port, then 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.
3. Save the settings and reboot the router. The ports are redirected.

Note: When connecting several IP cameras, you must assign and configure individual network ports for each of them.

Note: While the router configuration process is very much alike, the settings and names may vary for different manufacturers. Before you begin the configuration process, get acquainted with the equipment manual to know more about the connection of the camera to your router.

Note: If you connect the IP camera within a group network, contact your system administrator. The administrator will help you with the configuration process.

2. How to configure an IP camera

IP camera configuration (to be exact – IP address and port reservation) 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 to obtain a 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 link for Dahua IP camera:
URL format example:
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

If such information is missing or you have failed to locate it, use the second method.

Method 2: Using online services

For example, https://www.ispyconnect.com/man.aspx?n=Dahua

1. Select the corresponding camera from the list on the website;
2. Fill in the form, specifying the external IP address, network port, login and password for the camera.

Attention!

Do not reveal the info for obtaining the RTSP link or the whole video stream link to any untrusted sources.

We suggest to indicate incorrect data when generating an RTSP link and to substitute them with correct ones after the generation is complete. This way you will protect yourself against stream link interception by third-party services or keyloggers.

3. 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 to add a new RTSP camera

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):

RTSP camera features and settings