Q: How Do I Connect an IP Camera to Surveillance Center with RTSP?

2023-10-03

To connect an IP camera with RTSP, the correct RTSP path of a camera must be found first. This information is often found from camera vendors. If the vendor does not provide this information, information for most cameras can be found at the Camera Connection Database.

• Click Add under Camera in Settings.

• Select the option to enter the camera information manually.

For the brand, select [User-Defined] and for the model, select [RTP over RTSP (TCP)] or [RTSP and RTP over HTTP].

Input the following information for the rest of the fields:

• IP/Host: Camera's IP or host.
• Port: Camera's HTTP port. Usually port 80.
• RTSP Path: The RTSP address looks like this: rtsp://ip_address/channel1. Replace the channel with the channel of the camera in use.
• RTSP Port: The RTSP port is normally port 554. If you have selected RTSP and RTP over HTTP for the model, this field will not appear.
• Username/Password: Camera's administrator username and password.
• Click Test to see if the settings are working properly.
• If a green check mark is there, then it means it’s working properly.

You can also select [Multiple RTP over RTSP (TCP)] if the camera support to use multiple RTSP path.

Take TP-Link Tapo C200 as an example:

• Model: Select RTP over RTSP (TCP).
• IP/Host: TP-Link Tapo C200 IP or host.
• Port: TP-Link Tapo C200 HTTP port: 554.
• RTSP Path: The RTSP address for TP-Link Tapo C200: rtsp://ip_address/stream1. Enter "/stream1" here.
• RTSP Port: The RTSP port is normally port 554.
• Username/Password: Camera's administrator username and password.
• Click Test to see if the settings are working properly.
• If a green check mark is there, then it means TP-Link Tapo C200 is working properly.

Note: Tapo Care works best with one of the NVR or microSD card recordings, not both. At this point, the NVR recording will be disabled if Tapo Care and microSD card recording both work. To restart recording on the NVR, remove the microSD card from the camera. Please refer to TP-Link FAQ for more information.

Differences between ONVIF and RTSP.

• : Supported
• : Not supported