Connection protocols
When you add a camera manually, each stream URL begins with a protocol that tells camera.ui how to connect. RTSP is the default and works with almost any IP camera. In the add-camera dialog you paste the full stream URL. camera.ui reads the protocol from the URL and shows it under the field as the detected protocol. The (i) button next to the URL field opens help for that protocol, with URL formats and examples.
A stream URL has to start with one of the protocols camera.ui supports. If it doesn't, the source won't save and the field tells you the protocol isn't supported. The (i) help only becomes available once camera.ui recognizes the protocol you typed, so it's a quick way to check a URL.
RTSP (recommended)
RTSP is the universal choice and what most cameras provide. A URL looks like this:
rtsp://username:password@192.168.1.123:554/pathThe path after the address is specific to your camera, so check its manual or app for the exact RTSP URL. Many cameras offer a main (high-resolution) and a sub (low-resolution) stream; you can add each as a separate source.
Other common protocols
| Protocol | Use it for |
|---|---|
| ONVIF | A standard most cameras support. Connects without knowing the RTSP path, and powers discovery. |
| HTTP / HTTPS | Snapshot (JPEG), MJPEG, HTTP-FLV, or MPEG-TS streams. |
| RTMP | RTMP streams. |
| FFmpeg | Wrap any source FFmpeg can read. |
NVR and DVR systems
| Protocol | Use it for |
|---|---|
| ISAPI | Hikvision two-way audio (add it alongside an RTSP source). |
| DVRIP | Dahua and compatible recorders (also known as NetSurveillance / Sofia / XMeye). |
Brand and smart-home integrations
camera.ui also recognizes brand- and app-specific URLs, such as Tapo, Kasa, Doorbird, GoPro, Home Assistant, HomeKit, Ring, Nest, Wyze, and Tuya. Many of these depend on a vendor cloud.[1] Paste the URL and use the (i) help for the exact setup of each.
Tips
- You can give one source multiple URLs. camera.ui combines them, which helps when streams carry different codecs (for example video on one and backchannel audio on another).
- If you don't know your camera's URLs, try ONVIF or auto-discovery first.
Cameras that depend on a vendor cloud (such as Ring or Nest) can be connected, either directly or through a plugin, but they are not recommended and not covered by support. Use local RTSP / ONVIF cameras for a reliable experience. ↩︎