Direct answer
ID = channel number × 100 + stream type: 1 main, 2 sub, and 3 third stream when supported. Channel 1 main is 101, channel 1 sub is 102, and channel 2 main is 201. For an NVR channel, use the NVR IP, NVR account, configured RTSP port, and the slot shown in Camera Management.
Channel ID formula
Type 1 = main, 2 = sub, 3 = third stream. A calculated third-stream address works only if the device exposes that stream.
RTSP channel examples
| Recorder slot | Main | Sub | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | /Streaming/Channels/101 | /Streaming/Channels/102 | If supported: /Streaming/Channels/103 |
| 2 | /Streaming/Channels/201 | /Streaming/Channels/202 | If supported: /Streaming/Channels/203 |
| 3 | /Streaming/Channels/301 | /Streaming/Channels/302 | If supported: /Streaming/Channels/303 |
| 16 | /Streaming/Channels/1601 | /Streaming/Channels/1602 | If supported: /Streaming/Channels/1603 |
| 17 | /Streaming/Channels/1701 | /Streaming/Channels/1702 | If supported: /Streaming/Channels/1703 |
| 19 | /Streaming/Channels/1901 | /Streaming/Channels/1902 | If supported: /Streaming/Channels/1903 |
Choose IP and credentials
| Connection | Endpoint | Channel rule | Credentials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct camera | Camera IP and RTSP port | Usually channel 1 for one sensor | Camera account |
| Through NVR | NVR IP and RTSP port | Slot in Camera Management | NVR account |
| Hybrid DVR | DVR IP and RTSP port | IP channels may follow analogue channels | DVR account |
Copyable URL patterns
Use the RTSP port configured on the recorder. Port 554 is common; Hikvision also publishes 10554 examples, but that port is not universal.
RTSP channel or ONVIF?
ONVIF can discover the recorder and media profiles; a manual RTSP URL selects one exact channel. On supported firmware, enable ONVIF under Configuration > Network > Advanced Settings > Integration Protocol and create an ONVIF user.
Add Hikvision NVR channels to SmartRTSP
- Read each camera's actual slot in Camera Management.
- Keep the Apple device and recorder on the same LAN.
- Enter NVR IP, account, RTSP port, and the calculated path.
- Use the sub-stream first in multi-camera grids.
- For direct access, use the camera's IP and account.
View this NVR in SmartRTSP
SmartRTSP is an RTSP and ONVIF camera viewer for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Once this stream works, add it manually or use ONVIF discovery on your local network.
- Use the sub stream in a multi-camera grid and the main stream for detail.
- View up to eight cameras in supported multi-camera layouts; the Apple TV grid currently supports four.
- Connect locally without bridge hardware or a required cloud subscription.
Troubleshooting by symptom
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 101 works, 201 fails | Camera is not in slot 2 | Check Camera Management rather than PoE port order. |
| 401 Unauthorized | Wrong account or RTSP port | Use the account and port of the URL endpoint. |
| Connected but black screen | H.265, resolution, or main-stream load | Test H.264 sub-stream ending in 02. |
| 103/203 fails | No third stream | Use 101/102 or verify capability. |
| First IP camera on hybrid DVR is not 101 | Digital slots follow analogue channels | Use the displayed slot, e.g. channel 17 main = 1701. |
Check your model and firmware
Channel assignment, stream count, codec, RTSP port, authentication, and menu names can vary by model and firmware. Check the current device settings before setup. For remote access, use a VPN instead of exposing RTSP to the public internet.
FAQ
What does 101 mean?
Channel 1 main stream.
Is 102 camera 2?
No. It is channel 1 sub-stream; channel 2 main is 201.
Camera IP or NVR IP?
Use NVR IP for an NVR channel and camera IP for direct access.