In this article, I’ll cover the RTSP URL for Tapo cameras, including how to find the camera’s RTSP URL and access the live stream using VLC.
What Is the RTSP URL for a Tapo Camera? Why do so many people search for the RTSP URL of Tapo cameras? In most cases, they’re looking for a way to connect their Tapo camera to a third-party device or application. For example, they may want to view their Tapo camera through a Hikvision NVR, access it using a third-party app, or connect it to a self-hosted NVR such as VibeNVR.
Understanding the Tapo Camera RTSP URL
RTSP is a video streaming protocol commonly used by IP cameras.
Even though Tapo cameras connect to Wi-Fi, they are still IP cameras. This means they can have an RTSP URL. However, not all Tapo camera models support RTSP. You can check which Tapo camera models support RTSP.
RTSP generally works with ONVIF.
ONVIF is a standard that allows Tapo cameras to connect to NVRs and DVRs from different brands, as long as those devices also support ONVIF.
What Is the RTSP URL for a Tapo Camera, and How Do You Find It?
Each IP camera has its own RTSP URL.
For example, you can’t use the RTSP URL from an EZVIZ camera with a Tapo camera, and vice versa. A Tapo camera’s RTSP URL can only be used with a Tapo camera. Generally, an RTSP URL includes the camera’s IP address, username and password, streaming port, and an additional path that specifies the video stream or quality.
This is the RTSP URL for a Tapo camera:
rtsp://IP Dddress/Stream1
If the application requires a port, use the following format:
rtsp://IP Address:554/Stream1
The RTSP URL format is fixed and generally can’t be changed. The part you can change is the camera’s IP address.
How Do I Enable the RTSP URL on My Tapo Camera?
To enable the RTSP URL on your Tapo camera, you can do this through the Tapo app. The RTSP URL will only work after you enable the feature.
Open the Tapo app.
Next, select the Tapo camera you want to enable RTSP for. Click the gear icon to open the camera settings.
Select Advanced Settings.
Select Create Account.
Click the Create Now button.
Click the Understand and Agree button again.
Next, set a username and password for your camera, then click the Create button to save them. You’ll use these credentials to authenticate the camera when connecting it to VLC.
If the Camera Account status shows as enabled, the RTSP URL is already active.
How Can I Open a Tapo Camera’s RTSP URL Using VLC?
First, I need to set a static IP address for the Tapo camera. This prevents the IP address from changing automatically later on and also makes it easier for me to identify and keep track of the camera’s IP address. So the camera’s IP address will remain as I’ve set it and will change when I change it.
To set your Tapo camera’s IP address to static, go to Camera Settings > Advanced Settings > Network Settings. Then, enable the Static IP option.
Once everything is set up, it’s time to connect the Tapo camera to VLC using its RTSP URL.
I open the VLC app.
Then, I select File and choose Open Network. A field will appear where I can enter the RTSP URL. I’ll enter the RTSP URL for my Tapo camera and give it a try.
If you’re using Windows, you can go to Media > Open Network Stream.
Enter the RTSP URL.
Click the Play button to open the RTSP URL.
Enter the camera username and password you created earlier when enabling the RTSP feature. You can use an RTSP URL in this format: rtsp://username:password@IP Address:554/Stream1. This way, VLC won’t ask you to enter the camera username and password again when opening the camera stream.
If the Tapo camera’s RTSP URL works successfully, VLC will display the camera’s live video feed on the screen. You can see an example in the image below.
RTSP only streams the video feed. Features like two-way audio on Tapo cameras won’t work through RTSP. VLC also doesn’t record the footage, so you’ll only be able to watch the live video. If you need something more advanced, you can use VibeNVR. It allows you to record both video and audio from your camera at the same time, similar to using a physical NVR.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is a Tapo Camera RTSP URL?
An RTSP URL is a video streaming protocol that allows video from a Tapo camera to be viewed on third-party devices and applications.
How Do You Find the RTSP URL for a Tapo Camera?
Typically, Tapo camera RTSP URLs are set by the manufacturer. For current Tapo cameras, the RTSP URL format is rtsp://IP Address/Stream1, and this format cannot be changed. This RTSP URL format can be used with all Tapo camera models that support RTSP.
Can You Connect a Tapo Camera to VLC?
Yes, you can use an RTSP URL to stream your Tapo camera’s video in VLC.
Conclusion
The RTSP URL format is determined by the camera manufacturer.
That’s why each camera brand has its own RTSP URL format, and the URL can vary from one brand to another. The RTSP URL format for Tapo cameras can’t be changed, so you’ll need to use the format provided by Tapo. The only part you can change is the camera’s IP address. However, if cameras are made by the same manufacturer but sold under different brands, they will generally use the same RTSP URL format. A good example is HiLook. HiLook cameras use the same RTSP URL format as Hikvision and EZVIZ cameras.
Have you tried viewing your Tapo camera using VLC? If not, give it a try!