How to Enable RTSP on Vivotek Cameras
Log in to the camera web interface
Open http://<camera-IP> or the HTTPS address configured for the camera and sign in with the account created during installation. Do not rely on a default username or password. To find the IP, use Vivotek's current Shepherd camera management tool or your router's client list.
Verify RTSP streaming is enabled
Open the camera's network or streaming settings and record the RTSP port plus each stream's access name. Vivotek manuals commonly show port 554, live.sdp for stream 1 and live2.sdp for stream 2, but these values can be changed and the menu labels vary by model and firmware. Reserve the camera IP in DHCP after testing.
Use ONVIF scan or enter the RTSP URL manually
ONVIF discovery: If the exact model lists ONVIF, keep both devices on the same LAN and scan in SmartRTSP. Select a returned media profile and enter the camera account. Current Vivotek products may list Profiles S, T, G and M in different combinations; do not assume every model has the same profiles.
Alternative — Manual RTSP URL: Tap + → Manual in SmartRTSP, then enter:
Choose the configured stream
Use the access names displayed by your camera. If the defaults are unchanged, stream 1 may be live.sdp and stream 2 may be live2.sdp. A third or dewarped stream exists only when the model and current configuration expose one. Use a lower-bitrate profile for multi-camera viewing.
Vivotek RTSP URL Reference
The URL uses an RTSP access name. The values below are common defaults documented in Vivotek manuals, not universal fixed paths.
| Stream | RTSP Path |
|---|---|
| Common stream 1 default | /live.sdp |
| Common stream 2 default | /live2.sdp |
| Additional stream | Use the configured access name |
| Full main stream URL | rtsp://USER:PASS@IP:554/live.sdp |
| Full sub-stream URL | rtsp://USER:PASS@IP:554/live2.sdp |
Check Vivotek support by model
Current product pages publish protocols and ONVIF profiles separately. These examples show why the exact model matters.
| Model | Published protocols | Published ONVIF profiles |
|---|---|---|
| FD9387-EHTV-V3 | RTSP/RTP/RTCP | G, S, T, M |
| IB9387-LPR-V3 | RTSP/RTP/RTCP | G, S, T |
| SD9384-EHL | RTSP/RTP/RTCP | G, S, T |
| Legacy or VORTEX model | Check the exact product page, manual and firmware; do not reuse another model's stream path. | |
View Vivotek cameras in SmartRTSP
SmartRTSP is an RTSP and ONVIF camera viewer for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. Add a compatible Vivotek camera by ONVIF discovery or paste the exact RTSP URL from its settings.
- Use a lower-bitrate stream for multi-camera grids and the main stream for detail.
- View up to eight cameras simultaneously on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
- Apple TV Monitor offers 4-, 6- or 9-tile layouts.
Troubleshooting by symptom
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 404 or path not found | The access name is not live.sdp | Read the configured access name or use ONVIF GetStreamUri. |
| 401 Unauthorized | Wrong camera account or authentication settings | Use the current local account and verify RTSP permissions. |
| ONVIF finds the camera but video fails | RTSP port, profile, codec or credentials | Test the returned URI and a lower H.264 profile. |
| Fisheye image is circular | The selected profile is the raw sensor view | Choose a dewarped profile only if the model exposes one. |
| Camera is not discovered | ONVIF unavailable, disabled or blocked across the LAN | Verify model support, same-VLAN discovery and local-network permission, or add RTSP manually. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between live.sdp and live2.sdp?
Does Vivotek support ONVIF?
What RTSP URL do Vivotek fisheye cameras use?
/live3.sdp is a dewarped stream.