RTSP Setup Guide

Hikvision RTSP Setup

Enable RTSP on your Hikvision IP camera and stream live video to SmartRTSP on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Works with all Hikvision DS-series cameras, NVRs, and DVRs.

RTSP Stream URL
rtsp://<username>:<password>@<IP>:554/Streaming/Channels/101
Port
554
Protocol
RTSP
ONVIF
Yes
Codec
H.264/H.265

How to Enable RTSP on Hikvision

1

Log in to the camera web interface

Open a browser and go to http://<camera-IP>. Sign in with your admin username and password. Default credentials are often admin / <blank> or printed on the camera label. You will be prompted to create a new password on first login.

2

Navigate to RTSP settings

In the web UI, go to Configuration → Network → Advanced Settings → Integration Protocol. Confirm that RTSP is enabled and the port is set to 554. On newer firmware you may find this under Configuration → Network → More Settings.

3

Find your camera's local IP address

Use Hikvision's SADP Tool (available at hikvision.com/support/tools) to scan your network and find the camera's IP. Alternatively, check your router's DHCP client list.

4

Open SmartRTSP and add the camera

Option A — ONVIF Auto-Discovery: Tap the scan icon in SmartRTSP. Hikvision cameras broadcast ONVIF on your LAN; the app will find and add them automatically.

Option B — Manual RTSP URL: Tap + → Manual, then enter:

rtsp://admin:YourPassword@192.168.1.100:554/Streaming/Channels/101

Hikvision RTSP URL Reference

Hikvision uses a channel-based URL scheme. Channel numbers follow the pattern ChN×100 + StreamType.

Stream RTSP URL
Channel 1 — Main /Streaming/Channels/101
Channel 1 — Sub /Streaming/Channels/102
Channel 2 — Main /Streaming/Channels/201
Channel 2 — Sub /Streaming/Channels/202
NVR Channel 3 — Main /Streaming/Channels/301
Unicast (alternative) /h264/ch1/main/av_stream

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I connect to my Hikvision camera via RTSP?
Common causes: (1) RTSP is disabled — re-check Configuration → Network → Integration Protocol; (2) Port 554 is blocked by a firewall on the camera or your router; (3) Incorrect username or password — Hikvision passwords are case-sensitive; (4) You are on a different subnet. Make sure your iPhone/Mac is on the same Wi-Fi network as the camera.
Does Hikvision support ONVIF?
Yes. All modern Hikvision cameras (DS-2CD series onwards) support ONVIF Profile S. SmartRTSP's ONVIF scanner will auto-discover any Hikvision camera on your local network, making manual URL entry unnecessary. Enable ONVIF under Configuration → Network → Advanced Settings → Integration Protocol → Enable ONVIF.
What is the RTSP URL for a Hikvision NVR?
For Hikvision NVRs, use the NVR's IP address and change the channel number: channel 1 = /Streaming/Channels/101, channel 2 = /Streaming/Channels/201, and so on. The sub-stream adds 1 to the last digit (101 → 102).
Does Hikvision RTSP work over the internet?
RTSP is designed for local network use. For remote access, you would need to forward port 554 on your router (not recommended for security reasons) or use a VPN to access your home network. SmartRTSP works best on the same LAN as your cameras. A VPN such as WireGuard or OpenVPN to your home router is the most secure way to access cameras remotely.
Where can I find the official Hikvision RTSP documentation?
Official resources: Hikvision SDK & Documentation and the Hikvision Support Tools page. The ISAPI specification documents all URL formats in detail.