Glossary
What is RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol)?
Definition
RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) is a network protocol for establishing and controlling media streams. In video surveillance, IP cameras and recorders expose an RTSP address that a VMS, recorder or analytics server connects to in order to receive live video. The video itself is usually carried over RTP and encoded as H.264 or H.265.
RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) explained
RTSP is the most widely supported way to pull a live stream from an IP camera, which makes it a common baseline for connecting mixed-brand estates. Many cameras offer a main stream for recording and a lower-resolution substream for viewing.
RTSP does not cover device discovery, configuration or events; ONVIF or a vendor SDK handles those. Cameras usually require a username and password for their RTSP stream, and the exact stream address format varies by manufacturer.
OrionAlerts
How OrionAlerts handles it
RTSP is one of the protocols the Nebula OS universal device layer supports, alongside ONVIF and vendor SDKs. Where a camera or recorder provides a usable RTSP stream, OrionAlerts can bring it onto the platform for video management and AI video analytics without replacing the camera. Support for each model is confirmed during solution design.
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RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol): common questions
What is an RTSP URL?
An RTSP URL is the network address a VMS, recorder or analytics server uses to request a camera's live stream. It usually includes the camera's IP address, a port (554 by default) and a manufacturer-specific path that selects the main stream or substream. Access normally requires the camera's username and password.
Is RTSP secure?
Plain RTSP does not encrypt video. RTSPS, which runs RTSP over TLS, does, but camera support varies. Most deployments protect RTSP streams by keeping cameras on a separate network or VLAN, using strong unique passwords and never exposing RTSP ports directly to the internet. Check what each camera model supports.
Can AI video analytics use an RTSP stream?
Yes. An analytics server can connect to a camera's RTSP stream, decode the video and run detection models on the frames. Stream resolution, frame rate and network capacity affect what can be detected and how many cameras one server can handle. OrionAlerts supports RTSP alongside ONVIF and vendor SDKs.
Related terms
ONVIF
An open industry standard that lets IP cameras, recorders and video software from different manufacturers discover and work with each other.
Read moreVideo management system (VMS)
Software that connects cameras and recorders so operators can view live video, record, play back and export footage from one place.
Read moreVideo analytics
Software that analyzes video automatically to detect people, vehicles, objects and events, and raises alerts without constant human watching.
Read more
See it on your own cameras
Book a walkthrough of OrionAlerts on Nebula OS, from camera connection to alerts on the dashboard, mobile app and email.