Frequently Asked Question

DeskCamera allows a Windows PC to work as a virtual ONVIF IP camera and stream desktop screens, webcams, audio, and other media sources to CCTV systems, VMS, and NVR software using ONVIF and RTSP.

This guide explains three ways to add DeskCamera to Hikvision:

• Quick Add – when Hikvision detects DeskCamera automatically
• Manual Add – when automatic detection does not work
• Custom Protocol (RTSP) – when you need to add extra DeskCamera channels manually

Video Tutorial Playlist

You can view the full DeskCamera + Hikvision tutorial playlist here:

DeskCamera + Hikvision YouTube Playlist

Method 1: Quick Add in Hikvision

Use Quick Add if Hikvision automatically detects DeskCamera on the network. This is usually the easiest and fastest method.

When to use Quick Add

• Hikvision can already see DeskCamera automatically
• You want the simplest setup method
• You only need the automatically detected DeskCamera channel

Quick Add Video Tutorial

Watch: How to Add DeskCamera to Hikvision with Quick Add

Notes

• If Quick Add does not detect DeskCamera, use the manual setup method below.
• If DeskCamera is streaming more than one source, such as Display 1, Display 2, or Webcam, Hikvision may recognize only a single source automatically.
• To add extra sources as separate channels, use the Custom Protocol (RTSP) method.

Method 2: Manual Add via ONVIF

Use Manual Add if Hikvision does not detect DeskCamera automatically with Quick Add, or if you prefer to enter the connection settings manually.

When to use Manual Add

• Quick Add does not find DeskCamera
• You want to manually enter the ONVIF connection details
• You need a fallback method when automatic detection is unavailable

Manual Add Video Tutorial

Watch: How to Add DeskCamera to Hikvision Manually

Notes

• Manual Add is typically the next method to try if Quick Add fails.
• This method is for adding DeskCamera using ONVIF.
• If you need more than one DeskCamera source and Hikvision shows only one detected channel, use the Custom Protocol (RTSP) method below.

Method 3: Add Extra Channels via Hikvision Custom Protocol (RTSP)

DeskCamera can stream multiple sources from the same PC, for example:

• Display 1
• Display 2
• Webcam
• Other supported media sources

However, when using Hikvision automatic discovery, Hikvision may detect only one DeskCamera source even though DeskCamera streams all of them as separate virtual ONVIF / RTSP camera channels.

To add the additional sources, you can configure them manually in Hikvision using Custom Protocol (RTSP).

When to use Custom Protocol (RTSP)

• Quick Add finds only one DeskCamera source
• You need to add extra DeskCamera channels separately
• You want to add sources such as Display 2 or Webcam manually via RTSP

Custom Protocol Video Tutorial

Watch: How to Add Multiple DeskCamera Channels to Hikvision with Custom Protocol (RTSP)

Recommended Setup Flow

1. First, try Quick Add.
2. If Hikvision does not detect DeskCamera, use Manual Add.
3. If you need multiple DeskCamera sources and Hikvision recognizes only one automatically, use Custom Protocol (RTSP) for the additional channels.

All Related Video Links

• Full Playlist: DeskCamera + Hikvision Tutorials
• Quick Add in Hikvision
• Manual Add in Hikvision
• Custom Protocol (RTSP) for Additional Channels

Summary

DeskCamera is a flexible software-based way to stream a PC screen, webcam, and other media to Hikvision as a virtual IP camera using ONVIF and RTSP.

• Use Quick Add when DeskCamera is detected automatically.
• Use Manual Add when automatic detection does not work.
• Use Custom Protocol (RTSP) when you need to add extra DeskCamera sources as separate channels.