Camera Validation Checklist
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Confirm the live picture keeps updating. Then test the camera controls, recordings, alerts and network connection you plan to use.
Pass criteria: the stream renders video, recovers after a short interruption, and every feature you intend to use is tested on the actual device and network.
Record separate results for each capability
For each camera, note model, firmware, stream profile, viewing device and app version. Mark discovery, authentication, moving video, audio, PTZ, reconnection and recording playback separately. A camera can pass one check and fail another.
For video, watch a changing scene. For audio, listen for a known sound. For recording, save and reopen a short clip. For reconnection, interrupt the test connection briefly and observe whether the picture returns. A synthetic stream can help isolate the player before you retest the actual camera.
Generate a synthetic test stream · RTSP connection troubleshooting
1. Prepare the camera
- Assign a stable LAN address with a DHCP reservation or camera-side static address.
- Create a dedicated camera account with a unique password and only the permissions you need. Enable the required services in the vendor app or web console.
- Synchronize camera time using NTP. Large clock drift can break ONVIF authentication and make event timestamps misleading.
- Record the model, firmware, LAN IP, RTSP port, ONVIF service port, and intended main/sub stream profiles.
2. Connect and authenticate
| Check | Pass | If it fails |
|---|---|---|
| ONVIF discovery | Camera appears with the expected IP and name. | Confirm same subnet, local-network permission, multicast/Wi-Fi isolation, and ONVIF enablement. |
| Credentials | Stream opens without repeated 401 errors. | Use the camera’s local viewing account. Check the camera clock and how the app handles special characters in the password. |
| Direct URL | Test the manufacturer’s exact RTSP address in Add Camera. Use Test Connection where available, then reopen the saved stream and confirm the picture keeps updating. | Check the brand guide, channel number, profile path, port, and whether RTSP is enabled. |
3. Validate media profiles
Main stream
Open full-screen video, listen for audio, capture a snapshot, and watch long enough to cross at least one keyframe interval. Note codec, resolution, frame rate, and bitrate.
Sub stream
Use a lower-resolution profile for multi-camera grids and detection. Confirm it is a distinct working URL rather than a duplicate or disabled profile.
Timestamps and recovery
Verify smooth playback and correct time. Briefly interrupt Wi-Fi or restart the stream, then confirm SmartRTSP reconnects without duplicating the camera.
Audio
Confirm the selected profile contains audio and the codec is supported by the current platform. Test mute/unmute and an actual recording, not only live playback.
4. Validate camera capabilities
- Snapshot: capture a current image; stale or black snapshots can affect thumbnails and alerts.
- PTZ: test pan, tilt, zoom, stop, and one preset separately. A camera advertising ONVIF does not necessarily implement every PTZ operation.
- Detection: walk through the zone, confirm the correct label and timestamp, and test a non-event to estimate false positives.
- Recording: create a short manual clip and one event clip, then play, seek, export, and delete them from History.
- Notifications: trigger a real event and verify the destination receives it once with the expected camera identity.
5. Validate the real network path
Measure first-frame time and stability on the slowest expected connection. If the grid struggles, validate the sub stream before lowering the main stream used for recording.
6. Capture a useful support report
Include the details below. Before sharing addresses, logs or screenshots, remove usernames, passwords, tokens and private IP addresses.
- • SmartRTSP app version and platform
- • OS version and device model
- • Camera brand, model, and firmware
- • RTSP or ONVIF connection method
- • Video/audio codecs and profiles
- • Local LAN or VPN path
- • Exact error and approximate time
- • Whether a decoded frame was visible