Find your camera’s RTSP URL
An RTSP URL is the address software uses to get video from an IP camera. It is usually the camera’s IP address followed by a path set by the manufacturer. Find your brand below and replace CameraIP with the camera’s IP address.
RTSP URL by manufacturer
| Manufacturer | Main stream | Sub stream | Do first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hikvision | rtsp://CameraIP:554/Streaming/Channels/101 | …/Channels/102 | Activate the camera by setting the admin password on first use |
| Dahua, Amcrest | rtsp://CameraIP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 | subtype=1 | None |
| Reolink | rtsp://CameraIP:554/Preview_01_main | Preview_01_sub | Turn on RTSP in the app under Advanced Network Settings > Server Settings |
| TP-Link Tapo | rtsp://CameraIP:554/stream1 | stream2 | Create a camera account in the Tapo app under Advanced Settings > Camera Account |
| TP-Link VIGI | rtsp://CameraIP:554/stream1 | stream2 | None |
| Uniview | rtsp://CameraIP:554/media/video1 | video2 | None |
| Hanwha Vision (Wisenet) | rtsp://CameraIP:554/profile2/media.smp | Another profile number | None |
| IDIS | rtsp://CameraIP:554/trackID=1 | trackID=2 | If it does not connect, enable the RTSP port under Network > Port/QoS |
| EZVIZ | rtsp://CameraIP:554/ch1/main | Username admin, password is the verification code on the camera label | |
| Axis | rtsp://CameraIP:554/axis-media/media.amp | None | |
| TRUEN | rtsp://CameraIP:554/video1 | video1s1 | None |
Based on each manufacturer’s official support pages, checked September 2026. Details can vary by model and firmware.
Cameras connected to an NVR
- Hikvision NVR: in /Streaming/Channels/201, the leading digits are the channel and the last two the stream (01 main, 02 sub).
- Dahua NVR: the number after channel= is the channel.
- Reolink NVR and Home Hub: in Preview_02_main, the middle number is the channel.
- Hanwha Vision NVR: rtsp://NVR-IP:554/LiveChannel/0/media.smp. Channels start at 0.
- IDIS NVR: rtsp://NVR-IP:554/trackID=3&streamID=2. trackID is the camera number and streamID the stream.
Try ONVIF first
If the camera supports ONVIF, you may not need the address. In Litmus NVR, choose ONVIF as the camera type and cameras on the same network are found automatically.
If the camera does not connect
- Check that the computer running Litmus and the camera are on the same network (router).
- Sign in to the camera’s web page or app to confirm the username and password.
- If you changed the camera’s RTSP port from 554, replace 554 in the address with that number.
- To test the address, open it in VLC media player under Media > Open Network Stream. In VLC, put the account in the address: rtsp://username:password@CameraIP:554/...
Cameras without RTSP
Some home cameras have no RTSP: most Tapo and Reolink battery cameras, Reolink 4G cameras and EZVIZ video doorbells. Igloocam, Hejhome, Xiaomi and Imou do not officially document RTSP support.
Questions
What is the default RTSP port?
554. If you changed it in the camera settings, use that number instead.
Should I put the password in the URL?
Not in Litmus NVR. Enter the username and password in their own fields, where passwords with characters such as @ or # also work. Players such as VLC need them in the URL.
What is the sub stream for?
It is a lower-resolution copy of the video. Litmus NVR can use it for detection to reduce load and keep recording the main stream at full quality.