Frequently Asked Question
DeskCamera can take an RTSP stream from another camera, encoder, or video device and expose it to an NVR/VMS as a DeskCamera ONVIF camera.
Use this when your NVR/VMS cannot connect to the original RTSP device directly, or when you want DeskCamera to manage the stream together with other DeskCamera media sources.
Before you start
- Make sure the DeskCamera PC can open the original RTSP URL.
- If the source requires credentials, prepare the username and password.
- If the source is on another network, first make sure the DeskCamera PC can reach that network.
Add the RTSP source
1) Open DeskCamera.
2) Go to Video & Audio Settings.
3) Click Add Media Source.
4) Select Other source, then choose RTSP.
5) Enter a name for the source.
6) Paste the RTSP URL into Source URL.
7) Enter the source username and password if required.
8) Click Probe. DeskCamera will try to fill the video format, resolution, FPS, and audio settings automatically.
9) If the source has audio and you want to pass it through, enable Audio.
10) Click Validate Connection to test the source.
11) Save the media source and start DeskCamera.
If Probe cannot read the stream but you know the stream settings, enter the video format, resolution, and FPS manually, then test again.
Latency
The Latency setting controls how much buffering DeskCamera uses while reading the RTSP source.
- Use a lower value for less delay on a stable local network.
- Use a higher value if the stream disconnects, freezes, or has network jitter.
Connection options
Leave RTCP and KeepAlive enabled for most RTSP sources.
If an older RTSP device disconnects repeatedly or does not work correctly, change one option at a time and test again.
Adding the stream to an NVR/VMS
After DeskCamera starts, add DeskCamera to the NVR/VMS by ONVIF discovery or by the DeskCamera ONVIF address.
If you need the direct DeskCamera RTSP URL, see How to retrieve direct RTSP URLs for DeskCamera streams.
For firewall and port requirements, see Ports used by DeskCamera and Configuring firewall rules.
Troubleshooting
Probe cannot read the stream.
Check that the RTSP URL works from the DeskCamera PC. Also check the source username, password, firewall, and whether the source allows RTSP connections from this PC.
The source connects but the video is unstable.
Increase the Latency value and test again. If the source is across a VPN or remote network, network quality can affect playback.
The NVR/VMS cannot find the stream.
First confirm that DeskCamera itself starts the RTSP media source correctly. Then check the ONVIF and RTSP ports used by DeskCamera.
You need to convert an HTTP MJPEG/H264 stream instead.
See Converting HTTP MJPEG/H264 streams to ONVIF with DeskCamera.