An RTSP URL is the address your viewer app uses to connect to an IP camera's video stream. The format is rtsp://username:password@IP-address:port/stream-path. The stream path varies by camera brand — this is why a Hikvision URL looks different from a Reolink URL even though both use the same RTSP protocol.
Replace username, password, and IP in every URL below with your camera's actual login credentials and local IP address. The IP address is typically something like 192.168.1.100.
Complete RTSP URL Reference
Main stream URLs for each brand. Substream variants are noted where they differ from the main stream path.
| Brand | RTSP URL (Main Stream) | Port | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hikvision | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/Streaming/Channels/101 | 554 | Sub: /Channels/102. Channel 2 cam: /201 |
| Reolink | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/h264Preview_01_main | 554 | Sub: h264Preview_01_sub. Enable RTSP in camera settings first. |
| Dahua | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 | 554 | Sub: subtype=1. Channel 2: channel=2 |
| Amcrest | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 | 554 | Same as Dahua (shared firmware). Sub: subtype=1 |
| TP-Link Tapo | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/stream1 | 554 | Sub: /stream2. Use Tapo app credentials. |
| Eufy | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/live0 | 554 | Sub: /live1. RTSP must be enabled in Eufy app settings. |
| Foscam | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/videoMain | 554 | Sub: /videoSub. Older models: /11 (main), /12 (sub) |
| Wyze | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/live | 554 | Requires RTSP firmware from Wyze. Not available on all models. |
| Annke | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/Streaming/Channels/101 | 554 | Hikvision-compatible firmware. Sub: /Channels/102 |
| Lorex | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 | 554 | Dahua-based firmware. Sub: subtype=1 |
| Axis | rtsp://user:pass@IP/axis-media/media.amp | 554 | Append ?videocodec=h264 to force codec. ONVIF supported. |
| Bosch | rtsp://user:pass@IP/video?inst=1&rec=0 | 554 | inst=1 is main stream; inst=2 for sub. ONVIF recommended. |
| Uniview (UNV) | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/unicast/c1/s0/live | 554 | s0 = main stream; s1 = sub-stream |
| Hanwha (Samsung) | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/profile1/media.smp | 554 | profile2 for sub-stream. Older models: /video1 |
| Vivotek | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/live.sdp | 554 | Some models: /live2.sdp for sub-stream |
| GeoVision | rtsp://user:pass@IP:8554/CH001.sdp | 8554 | CH001 = channel 1 main. Note non-standard port 8554. |
| Swann | rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/Streaming/Channels/101 | 554 | Hikvision-compatible firmware on most models. |
URL formats can vary between camera models and firmware versions. If a URL above does not work, try SmartRTSP's ONVIF scan — it retrieves the correct URL automatically.
How to Find Your Camera's IP Address
Before you can use any RTSP URL, you need to know the camera's current IP address on your local network. There are three reliable methods:
Log in to your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and look for the DHCP Clients or Connected Devices list. Each camera will appear with its hostname and IP address. Tip: assign a static IP from this list so the address never changes.
The fastest method. Tap the scan icon in SmartRTSP and it will detect all ONVIF cameras on your network, displaying each camera's IP address alongside its model name and ready-to-use RTSP URL. No manual lookup required.
Most camera brands include a network scanner in their official mobile or desktop app (Hik-Connect, Reolink App, DMSS for Dahua). These tools find the camera and display its IP address, which you can then use in SmartRTSP.
Common RTSP URL Problems
If your RTSP URL isn't connecting, work through these common causes in order:
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Wrong credentials. RTSP credentials are case-sensitive. The username and password are usually the same as the camera's web interface login, not the vendor's cloud app password.
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!
Wrong port. Most cameras use port 554 but some (especially GeoVision and lower-cost models) use 8554. Check the camera's web interface under Network > RTSP settings.
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Missing or wrong stream path. The path after the port (e.g.
/Streaming/Channels/101) must match exactly. Even a missing or extra character causes a connection failure. -
✕
Firewall blocking port 554. Some routers or security software block RTSP traffic. Check your router's firewall settings, or try connecting the camera and phone/Mac to the same Wi-Fi network without any VPN active.
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✕
RTSP disabled on camera. Many cameras ship with RTSP disabled by default. Log in to the camera's web interface and enable RTSP under Network or Video settings. Wyze requires a separate RTSP firmware flash.
Try ONVIF First — Skip the Manual URL
For any ONVIF-compatible camera (Hikvision, Reolink, Dahua, Amcrest, Axis, Bosch, and most others), you can skip the URL table entirely. SmartRTSP's built-in ONVIF scanner automatically discovers cameras on your network and retrieves the correct RTSP URL — no copy-pasting required.
- ✓ Tap scan → cameras appear in 3–5 seconds
- ✓ RTSP URL auto-filled
- ✓ Camera model name shown automatically
- ✓ No need to look up URL format
- → Needed for non-ONVIF cameras (Wyze, some Eufy)
- → Required when ONVIF is disabled on camera
- → Useful when connecting to a specific sub-stream
- → Works even if the camera is on a different subnet