RTSP solution: connecting any IP camera to Eldes alarm systems
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:
There are few steps needed to establish the right connection:
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/ :
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
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:
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
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
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 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):