Camera Validation Checklist
Do not stop at “connected.” Confirm the camera is reliable across live view, recording, events, and the network path you will actually 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.
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. Enable RTSP and ONVIF in the vendor app or web console when required.
- 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. | Try a dedicated ONVIF/RTSP account; verify camera clock and special characters. |
| Direct URL | The exact rtsp:// path works. | 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 following without sending passwords or full credential-bearing RTSP URLs:
- • 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