Direct answer
The ID is channel number × 100 + stream type: 1 is main, 2 is sub, and 3 is third stream when supported. Channel 1 main is 101, channel 1 sub is 102, channel 2 main is 201, and channel 16 main is 1601. For an NVR stream, use the NVR IP, NVR credentials, configured RTSP port, and the channel shown in Camera Management.
Channel ID formula
Stream type 1 = main, 2 = sub, 3 = third stream. The formula creates an address; it does not guarantee that the selected third stream exists.
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 the correct IP address and credentials
| Connection path | Use this endpoint | Channel rule | Credentials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera directly | Camera IP and configured RTSP port | Usually channel 1 for a single-sensor camera | Camera account |
| Camera through NVR | NVR IP and configured RTSP port | Slot shown under NVR Camera Management | NVR account |
| Hybrid DVR | DVR IP and configured RTSP port | Digital channels may begin after analog channels | DVR account |
Copyable URL patterns
Use the RTSP port configured on the device. Port 554 is common; Hikvision support also publishes 10554 examples, but 10554 is not universal.
RTSP channel URL or ONVIF?
ONVIF can discover the recorder and return media profiles, while a manual RTSP URL selects one exact channel and stream. On supported firmware, enable ONVIF under Configuration > Network > Advanced Settings > Integration Protocol and create an ONVIF user. Menu names and recorder support vary by firmware.
Add Hikvision NVR channels to SmartRTSP
- Open Camera Management on the recorder and note the actual slot for each camera.
- Keep the Apple device and recorder on the same LAN for the first test.
- Add the NVR IP, NVR username/password, configured RTSP port, and the calculated path.
- Test the sub-stream first in a multi-camera grid, then switch selected cameras to main stream when needed.
- For direct-camera access, replace the NVR endpoint and credentials with the camera's own 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 | Check or fix |
|---|---|---|
| 101 works but 201 fails | Camera is not assigned to recorder slot 2 | Read the slot in Camera Management instead of assuming PoE port order. |
| 401 Unauthorized | Camera credentials used against NVR, or wrong RTSP port | Use the account and port of the endpoint in the URL. |
| Connected but black screen | Unsupported H.265/resolution or excessive main-stream load | Test the H.264 sub-stream path ending in 02 and lower its bitrate if needed. |
| 103 or 203 fails | Device has no third stream or it is disabled | Use 101/102 or confirm stream capability in the model settings. |
| First IP camera on hybrid DVR is not 101 | Digital channels start after analog channels | Use the digital slot number shown by the recorder; e.g. slot 17 main is 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 Hikvision channel 101 mean?
Channel 1 main stream. The last digit is the stream type.
Is channel 102 camera number 2?
No. In the standard formula it is channel 1 sub-stream. Channel 2 main is 201.
Should I use the camera IP or NVR IP?
Use the NVR IP for an NVR channel and the camera IP for direct camera access. Credentials must match that endpoint.