DW Spectrum - Finding Server RTSP Stream Information

Finding DW Server RTSP Streams

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Affected Roles: Owner, Administrator

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum IPVMS

Last Edit: September 13, 2024

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RTSP Multicast Stream

While each IP camera will produce its own RTSP (real-time stream protocol) streams for steaming live video, there may be some situations where users may want to use the RTSP stream information that is produced by the DW Spectrum Server and not the camera itself. By doing this, the server can perform as a proxy device between the camera and the system.

This article will outline how to find the RTSP stream information to a camera while using DW Spectrum Server as a proxy.

**NOTE: If the RTSP stream from the DW Spectrum Server will be viewed from outside the local network (Internet), you will need to port forward the server (default Port 7001) through its local Internet router to allow external network access. Use of the server’s local IP address does not require port forwarding for local viewing.

Important User Notice

When using an RTSP stream to a camera, proxied from a DW Spectrum Server, the viewer is provided a constant stream of live video from the server.

Connections with an RTSP stream can only be achieved through direct connection (local IP, public IP, DDNS, etc.) with the system. RTSP streaming will not work when using a DW Cloud login and must use a local user profile instead.

Be sure to provide the viewer with a local user profile with which they may use to log in to the DW Spectrum Server.

**NOTE: For DW Spectrum Systems using version 5.0 and newer, the local user profile may need to use “Digest Authentication” to view streams from your secure DW Spectrum System. This setting can be enabled in the User Management settings.

Finding the RTSP Stream Information

Format

As of 5.0, Spectrum uses the following RTSP stream formats:

Camera ID

rtsp://<server_ip>:<server_port>/<camera_id>?stream=0 | Primary Stream

rtsp://<server_ip>:<server_port>/<camera_id>?stream=1 | Secondary Stream

Logical ID

rtsp://<server_ip>:<server_port>/<logical_id>?stream=0 | Primary Stream

rtsp://<server_ip>:<server_port>/<logical_id>?stream=1 | Secondary Stream

using the server's credentials to authenticate.

Example

rtsp://192.168.1.100:7001/69faed90-dca3-1c08-8d70-26dbeb540dc4?stream=0

rtsp://192.168.1.100:7001/69faed90-dca3-1c08-8d70-26dbeb540dc4?stream=1

admin/admin12345 (Blackjack Spectrum default login)

**NOTE: The IP address used should be the IP address the server is accessible by in relation to the network.

Method 1: Using Camera ID

The DW Spectrum Server will automatically configure a multicast stream for a camera once the device has been added.

To find RTSP information to view a camera from the server:

Open the DW Spectrum Client application and log in with the Owner (admin) user role or as an administrator user.

In the client, right-click on the Server in the Resource panel and select “Server Settings” from the context pop-up.

In the Server Settings menu, copy the server’s IP Address and TCP/IP Port number (default 7001). You will need this information to connect with the DW Spectrum Server that will be acting as the proxy.

Next, obtain the Camera ID of the desired camera.

In the DW Spectrum Client, right-click on the camera and open the Camera Settings menu.

Click on More Info and copy the Camera ID of the camera. This unique identifier will specify the desired camera for the RTSP stream.

**NOTE: The RTSP URLs that appear for the Primary Stream and Secondary Stream of the camera link directly to the camera itself, not the DW Spectrum Server. For creating a proxy connection through the server, you only need to copy the Camera ID for this step.

Method 2: Using Logical ID

As an alternative to the camera ID, you can configure cameras with a logical ID and use the logical ID in place of the camera ID.

The RTSP stream would be the same format, but replacing the Camera ID with the logical ID.

rtsp://192.168.1.100:7001/69faed90-dca3-1c08-8d70-26dbeb540dc4?stream=0 → rtsp://192.168.1.100:7001/1?stream=0

rtsp://192.168.1.100:7001/69faed90-dca3-1c08-8d70-26dbeb540dc4?stream=1 → rtsp://192.168.1.100:7001/1?stream=1

This method can be extremely beneficial in circumstances where a camera is replaced. Rather than re-adding every instance of the new camera to your devices, you can simply give the replacement camera the same logical ID from Spectrum.

For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: 866.446.3595 (option 4)

https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

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DW Sales: 866.446.3595 [email protected] www.digital-watchdog.com