How to Connect RTSP Cameras to LightNVR Cloud

1. What is RTSP?

RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) is an open standard for streaming video over a network. Most professional IP cameras support RTSP, which means they can work with any compatible recorder — including LightNVR — not just the manufacturer’s own app.

An RTSP URL looks like this:

rtsp://username:password@192.168.1.100:554/stream1

The parts are:

• username:password — your camera’s login credentials
• 192.168.1.100 — your camera’s IP address on the local network
• 554 — the RTSP port (554 is the default for most cameras)
• /stream1 — the stream path (varies by manufacturer)

2. Find your camera’s RTSP URL

There are several ways to find the RTSP URL for your camera:

Method 1: Check the manufacturer’s documentation

Most camera manufacturers document their RTSP URL format. Search for “[your camera model] RTSP URL” online.

Method 2: Use ONVIF Device Manager (Windows)

1. Download ONVIF Device Manager
2. It will auto-discover ONVIF cameras on your network
3. Click on your camera and navigate to Live Video
4. The RTSP URL will be shown in the stream details

Method 3: Check your camera’s web interface

1. Open your camera’s IP in a browser (e.g., http://192.168.1.100)
2. Log in with admin credentials
3. Look under Network → RTSP or Configuration → Streaming
4. The RTSP port and path are usually listed there

3. Common RTSP URLs by brand

Here are the RTSP URL formats for popular camera brands:

4. Add the camera to LightNVR

1. Make sure your camera is reachable from your LightNVR instance — either via a WireGuard tunnel or direct network access
2. Open your LightNVR instance dashboard at https://your-instance.lightnvr.com
3. Go to Settings → Streams
4. Click Add Stream
5. Enter a name for the camera (e.g., “Front Door”, “Driveway”)
6. Paste the RTSP URL
7. Click Save
8. Within a few seconds, you should see the live stream and recording will begin automatically

5. Optimize stream settings

For the best experience with LightNVR Cloud, we recommend these camera settings:

• Resolution: 1080p (1920x1080) — best balance of quality and bandwidth
• Frame rate: 15 fps for recording, 30 fps if you need smooth live viewing
• Codec: H.264 (most compatible) or H.265 (lower bandwidth, needs more CPU)
• Bitrate: 2-4 Mbps per camera at 1080p is typical
• Use the sub-stream for live viewing and the main stream for recording to save bandwidth

6. Troubleshooting

Stream shows “Connection failed”

• Verify the camera is powered on and connected to the network
• Test the RTSP URL in VLC Media Player: Media → Open Network Stream and paste the URL
• Check that the camera’s RTSP port (usually 554) isn’t blocked by a local firewall
• Make sure the username/password in the URL are correct

Stream is choppy or freezing

• Lower the camera’s resolution or frame rate
• Check your upload bandwidth with a speed test
• Use H.264 instead of H.265 if CPU is limited
• Reduce the number of simultaneous streams if bandwidth is tight

Recording works but live view doesn’t

• Make sure your browser supports WebRTC (Chrome, Firefox, Edge all do)
• Try a different browser or clear your cache
• Check that port 443 (HTTPS) isn’t blocked by your corporate firewall