How to Find RTSP URL of Any IP Camera Easily

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An RTSP URL lets you connect an IP camera to compatible software such as VLC, an NVR, a video management system, or some smart-home platforms. If your camera supports RTSP, the URL normally contains the camera’s IP address, login credentials, RTSP port, and a model-specific stream path.

The tricky part is that there is no universal RTSP URL that works with every IP camera. Reolink, Hikvision, Dahua, Axis, and other manufacturers use different stream formats, and some consumer cameras do not support RTSP at all. The safest approach is to identify the exact camera model, find its local IP address, check the manufacturer’s documentation, and then test the stream locally.

What Is an RTSP URL?

RTSP stands for Real-Time Streaming Protocol. It is commonly used to establish and control live audio or video streams from network cameras. The protocol itself handles stream control, while the actual media is typically transported through related protocols.

A typical camera RTSP URL looks something like this:

rtsp://username:[email protected]:554/stream-path

The different parts are:

rtsp:// — tells the application to use RTSP
username — camera login username
password — camera password
192.168.1.100 — camera’s local IP address
554 — RTSP port
/stream-path — manufacturer-specific path to the video stream

Port 554 is commonly used for RTSP, although a camera can be configured to use another port.

1. Check the Camera Manufacturer’s Documentation

The best way to find an RTSP URL is to start with documentation for your exact camera model.

Search the manufacturer’s support site for:

RTSP
Stream URL
Third-party integration
ONVIF
VLC
NVR integration

Check the Camera Manufacturer’s Documentation

Do not assume a URL found for another camera from the same company will work with yours. Stream formats can vary by product line, generation, and firmware.

For example, Reolink maintains separate documentation covering RTSP formats and lists which of its products support RTSP and ONVIF.

2. Find the Camera’s IP Address

Before building an RTSP URL, you normally need the camera’s local IP address.

You can find it using:

Your router’s connected-device list
The camera manufacturer’s app or desktop software
The NVR camera-management menu
Manufacturer device-discovery tools
The camera’s MAC address

For example, your camera might have:

192.168.1.120

You would then insert that address into the appropriate RTSP format.

If you are unsure how to locate it, see our guide on how to find an IP address for security cameras.

3. Check the Camera’s Web Interface

Many traditional IP cameras provide a local web interface.

Enter the camera’s IP address into a browser and log in using your camera credentials.

Look under sections such as:

Network
Advanced Settings
Video
Port
Integration
ONVIF
RTSP

Depending on the manufacturer, you may need to enable RTSP or third-party integration before another application can access the stream.

Hikvision, for example, provides integration settings through the camera’s web interface for supported protocols such as ONVIF.

Not every consumer Wi-Fi camera offers this type of local configuration page.

4. Use ONVIF to Retrieve the Stream URL

If your camera supports ONVIF, an ONVIF-compatible management tool can often make finding the RTSP stream much easier.

ONVIF defines a GetStreamUri function that allows compatible software to request a stream URI associated with a camera’s media profile. The returned URI can use RTSP for controlling the live stream.

In practical terms:

Connect your computer and camera to the same network.
Open an ONVIF-compatible device management tool.
Discover the camera.
Log in with the camera credentials.
Open the media or streaming profiles.
Locate the RTSP stream URI.

This can be much more reliable than randomly testing dozens of possible URL formats.

Remember that ONVIF and RTSP are not the same thing. ONVIF provides interoperability and device-management functions, while RTSP is commonly used to access the actual live stream.

Common RTSP URL Formats by Brand

Below are examples based on official manufacturer documentation. Replace the sample information with the credentials, IP address, channel, and stream required by your camera.

Brand	Typical RTSP Format	Notes
Reolink	`rtsp://user:password@IP/Preview_01_main`	Main or sub stream
Hikvision	`rtsp://user:password@IP:554/Streaming/Channels/101`	101 typically represents channel 1 main stream
Dahua	`rtsp://user:password@IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0`	subtype 0 normally selects main stream
Axis	`rtsp://IP/axis-media/media.amp`	Parameters/profiles can be added

These formats are examples, not guarantees for every model.

Reolink RTSP URL

Reolink currently documents the main stream format as:

rtsp://username:password@IP/Preview_01_main

and the sub stream as:

rtsp://username:password@IP/Preview_01_sub

For example:

rtsp://admin:[email protected]/Preview_01_main

Reolink also notes that RTSP support varies by product, so confirm compatibility for the specific camera before troubleshooting the URL.

Hikvision RTSP URL

Hikvision documents a format similar to:

rtsp://username:password@IP:554/Streaming/Channels/101

For the first camera:

101 = channel 1 main stream
102 = channel 1 sub stream

Hikvision’s current US support documentation continues to use this structure for cameras and recorders.

Dahua RTSP URL

Dahua documentation uses a format similar to:

rtsp://username:password@IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0

Here:

channel=1 selects camera channel 1
subtype=0 selects the primary stream

Dahua also documents using VLC to test this type of RTSP stream.

Axis RTSP URL

Axis uses a different structure.

A basic Axis RTSP endpoint is:

rtsp://IP/axis-media/media.amp

Axis allows additional parameters or stream profiles to be included when requesting video with specific properties.

Always check the exact Axis model documentation before adding custom parameters.

How to Test an RTSP URL With VLC

Once you think you have the correct URL, VLC is one of the easiest ways to test it.

VLC supports RTSP network streams.

To test the camera:

Open VLC Media Player.
Select Media.
Choose Open Network Stream.
Paste your RTSP URL.
Select Play.

For example:

rtsp://admin:[email protected]:554/your-stream-path

If the credentials are not embedded in the URL, VLC may ask for them separately.

If the live camera feed appears, the IP address, credentials, port, and stream path are working.

Main Stream vs Sub Stream

Many IP cameras offer more than one video stream.

Main Stream

The main stream normally provides:

Higher resolution
Higher bitrate
Better image quality

It is usually preferred for recording or full-screen viewing.

Sub Stream

The sub stream generally uses:

Lower resolution
Lower bitrate
Less network bandwidth

It can be useful for remote viewing, mobile devices, or multi-camera dashboards.

Reolink and Hikvision, for example, provide separate RTSP paths or channel identifiers for primary and secondary streams.

How to Find an RTSP URL Through an NVR

If your cameras are connected directly to an NVR, the RTSP URL may use the NVR’s IP address and camera channel number rather than the individual camera’s LAN address.

Check:

NVR Settings > Camera Management

and identify the channel containing the camera.

Then check the manufacturer’s NVR RTSP format.

For example, Hikvision documents the same general /Streaming/channels/ structure for NVR and DVR streams, with channel numbers identifying the camera feed.

This is particularly important when PoE cameras sit on the NVR’s private internal network and cannot be accessed directly from your normal LAN.

Why Is My RTSP URL Not Working?

If VLC or your NVR cannot open the stream, check these common problems.

Wrong IP Address

The camera may have received a new address from your router.

Confirm its current IP before changing anything else.

Wrong Username or Password

RTSP access normally requires valid camera credentials.

Also be careful with passwords containing characters such as @, :, /, or # when embedding credentials directly in a URL. Some characters may need URL encoding.

Wrong RTSP Port

Port 554 is common, but your camera may use a different configured RTSP port.

Check the camera’s network settings.

Wrong Stream Path

This is one of the most common causes of failure.

A Reolink path will not automatically work with Hikvision, Dahua, Axis, or another manufacturer.

Use the correct format for the exact device.

RTSP Is Disabled

Some cameras require RTSP or related network services to be enabled before third-party applications can connect.

Camera Does Not Support RTSP

Not every IP camera provides an accessible RTSP stream.

This is especially common among cloud-first consumer cameras designed primarily for their manufacturer’s mobile app. Before spending time troubleshooting, verify RTSP support for the exact model.

Is It Safe to Use RTSP?

RTSP can be useful on a trusted local network, but avoid exposing your camera directly to the internet simply so you can access its stream remotely.

For better security:

Use a strong camera password
Keep camera firmware updated
Keep RTSP access within your LAN when possible
Avoid unnecessary port forwarding
Use a properly configured VPN for remote LAN access when appropriate
Disable unused network services

Your local URL might contain the camera username and password, so do not publish or share a working RTSP address that includes real credentials.

RTSP vs ONVIF

The two technologies are frequently mentioned together, but they serve different purposes.

Feature	RTSP	ONVIF
Primary purpose	Media streaming control	Device interoperability
Live video	Yes	Can provide a stream URI
Camera discovery	No	Yes
Media profiles	Limited	Yes
PTZ/device integration	Not its main purpose	Often supported
Common use	VLC, NVR, VMS	Discovery and third-party integration

ONVIF’s media specification specifically allows a compatible client to request a stream URI for a media profile, which is why ONVIF can be helpful when you do not know the camera’s RTSP path.

FAQs

How Do I Find My IP Camera’s RTSP URL?

Start by identifying the exact model and local IP address. Then check the manufacturer’s official RTSP or third-party integration documentation. If the camera supports ONVIF, an ONVIF-compatible client may also retrieve the stream URI.

Does Every IP Camera Support RTSP?

No. RTSP support depends on the camera model and firmware. Always verify support for the exact device before trying generic URLs.

What Is the Default RTSP Port?

Port 554 is commonly used for RTSP, although cameras can use other configured ports.

Can I Watch an RTSP Camera in VLC?

Yes, if the camera provides a compatible RTSP stream. VLC supports RTSP network streams, and manufacturers such as Reolink and Dahua provide VLC-specific instructions for testing camera streams.

How Do I Find the Main and Sub Stream URLs?

Check the manufacturer’s RTSP documentation. The two streams usually use different paths, stream numbers, or parameters.

Final Verdict

The most reliable way to find the RTSP URL of an IP camera is to identify the exact camera model, find its local IP address, and use the manufacturer’s official RTSP format. If the stream path is difficult to locate and the camera supports ONVIF, an ONVIF-compatible tool may be able to retrieve the correct stream URI automatically.

After building the URL, test it locally in VLC before adding it to an NVR, VMS, or smart-home platform. Most importantly, do not assume one generic RTSP URL works with every security camera support and stream paths vary considerably between manufacturers and models.