Which RTSP Format Does My Swann Use?
Swann does not manufacture its own camera chipsets. Newer Swann NVRs (PRO series, 4K series released after approximately 2018) are built on Hikvision-compatible hardware and use the /Streaming/Channels/ URL format. Some older Swann DVRs are based on Dahua hardware and use the /cam/realmonitor format. If you are unsure which you have, try the Hikvision format first — it works for the majority of current Swann products.
| Swann Product Line | Compatible Format | ONVIF |
|---|---|---|
| PRO-4K, 4K Ultra HD NVR (2018+) | Hikvision — /Streaming/Channels/101 | Yes |
| PRO-1080MSB, PRO-T855 NVR | Hikvision — /Streaming/Channels/101 | Some |
| Older DVR (pre-2016) | Dahua — /cam/realmonitor?channel=1 | No |
| Budget/entry-level cameras | May not support RTSP | No |
How to Enable RTSP on Swann NVR / DVR
Find your NVR's IP address
Log in to your router's admin panel and look at the DHCP client list — your Swann NVR should appear there with its assigned IP address. Alternatively, open the Swann Security app on your phone; the device list often shows the local IP. Write it down — you'll need it for the RTSP URL.
Log in to the NVR web interface
Open a browser and go to http://<NVR-IP>. Default credentials are typically admin with the password you set during initial setup. If you have never set one, check the sticker on the NVR for factory defaults. Some Swann units use admin / 12345 as defaults.
Check that RTSP is enabled
In the web interface navigate to Network → Advanced (or Setup → Network → More Settings on some firmware versions). Confirm that RTSP is enabled and the port is 554. Save the settings if you make changes.
Try the Hikvision format first
For newer Swann PRO and 4K NVRs, attempt this URL in SmartRTSP:
Channel 1 main stream = /101, sub-stream = /102, channel 2 = /201.
If that fails, try the Dahua format
Older Swann DVRs use a different URL structure. Try:
Change channel=1 to access other cameras, and subtype=1 for the sub-stream.
Swann RTSP URL Reference
Both URL formats side by side, covering channel 1 and channel 2 in main and sub-stream variants.
| Stream | Hikvision Format (Newer) | Dahua Format (Older) |
|---|---|---|
| Ch 1 — Main | /Streaming/Channels/101 | /cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 |
| Ch 1 — Sub | /Streaming/Channels/102 | /cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1 |
| Ch 2 — Main | /Streaming/Channels/201 | /cam/realmonitor?channel=2&subtype=0 |
| Ch 2 — Sub | /Streaming/Channels/202 | /cam/realmonitor?channel=2&subtype=1 |
| Ch 4 — Main | /Streaming/Channels/401 | /cam/realmonitor?channel=4&subtype=0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which RTSP URL format should I use for my Swann?
/Streaming/Channels/101. This works with most Swann NVRs sold after 2018, including the PRO, 4K Ultra HD, and 4K Enforcer series. If you get a connection timeout or authentication error after confirming your credentials are correct, switch to the Dahua format: /cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0. The quickest way to determine which chipset your NVR uses is to look at its model number and compare against Swann's product page.