Frequently Asked Question

Use this article to stream an image file as a camera, for example a status image or a floor plan. An image source can also carry sound to an NVR/VMS that cannot use audio-only streams (see below).

Create an image media source

1. In Camera Settings, click Stop.

2. Go to Video & Audio Settings.

3. Click + Add Media Source below the source list.

4. Select Other source, then choose Image.

   

5. Enter a name for the source.

6. Click ... next to File path.

7. Double-click the image file. Resolution shows the size of the picture. While it shows 0 × 0, DeskCamera cannot read the file, and OK is gray.

8. To show the new picture when the file changes, turn on Monitor Image file changes on the hard drive.

9. Click OK.

10. Click Start.

Updating the image

For the most reliable result, replace the image file with the same file type and similar dimensions.

Using image sources with audio

An image source can be useful when your NVR/VMS does not support audio-only streams. In Video & Audio Settings, select the image source. In the Audio list, choose a device.

For audio-only stream details, see Create Audio-only RTSP Streams.

If it does not work

The stream still shows the old image

Check that Monitor Image file changes on the hard drive is turned on. Check that the new file has the same name and is in the same folder.

The NVR/VMS does not show the new image immediately

Refresh the live view or restart recording for that stream in the NVR/VMS if needed.

The image does not load

Use a common image format such as PNG or JPG and make sure the DeskCamera Windows user has access to the file.