Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) is a streaming protocol that allows Verkada cameras to integrate live video into third-party applications or media players. The video is streamed directly from the camera to the client without passing through the Verkada cloud.
Verkada camera RTSP streams can only be accessed over the local network from private addresses as defined in RFC 1918. This means a camera with a non-standard internal NAT IP outside of 10.0.0.0/8, 192.168.0.0/16, or 172.16.0.0/12 will fail to start an RTSP stream.
Verkada offers high quality (HQ) and standard quality (SQ) RTSP streams, where:
The resolution and bitrate of the RTSP streams are the same as in Verkada Command. See Adaptive Quality Recording for more information.
You can set up to 2 concurrent RTSP streams for a single camera.
Audio is not supported on RTSP streams.
Before you begin
Secure your camera network
RTSP 1.0 is widely supported by vendors for interoperability, but because it is an unencrypted protocol, you need to configure the network to secure the data properly.
Create a custom username and password for RTSP that is not used in any other system. We recommend that you generate a random long password for this purpose.
Segregate your cameras onto a separate network, virtual local area network (VLAN), or virtual private network (VPN) inaccessible from the internet or other untrusted systems.
If you use a third-party cloud video integration, set up a VPN between the third-party system and your camera network, as the RTSP authentication and connection are not encrypted when streaming video.
Configure your external/edge firewall to drop RTSP traffic (port 8554).
Add only the minimum necessary RTSP client IP addresses in Verkada Command.
If you have traffic shaping/limiting capabilities, consider configuring the bandwidth allowed for RTSP.
Configure the network
You need Site Admins permissions to enable RTSP.
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Cameras.
Select a camera and click Settings.
Under Device, toggle on Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP).
Enter a username and password, and click Enable.
A valid password is required to enable RTSP streams, and users are prompted to enter a valid password the first time they toggle on the feature. Store your password in a secure location; it will not display again after it is created.
Copy and paste RTSP URLs
For your convenience, you can see the RTSP URLs in Verkada Command. This allows you to copy and paste them with one click. You need to replace the [PASSWORD] text in the URL with the password you set up for the camera before using it in the RTSP client.
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Cameras.
Select a camera and click Settings.
Under Device > Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), click Copy next to the standard or high-resolution URL and change the [PASSWORD] section of the link with the password you created when RTSP was enabled.
Once you have updated the link, add it to your third-party application.
RTSP specs by camera model
Verkada supports RTSP 1.0 and RFC 2326. Verkada camera RTSP streams can only be accessed over the local network from private addresses as defined in RFC 1918.
Dome series
Model | RTSP Audio | Max SQ Streams | Max HQ Streams | Max Concurrent Streams |
Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
No | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Mini Dome series
Model | RTSP Audio | Max SQ Streams | Max HQ Streams | Max Concurrent Streams |
Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
No | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Fisheye
Bullet series
Model | RTSP Audio | Max SQ Streams | Max HQ Streams | Max Concurrent Streams |
No | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
No | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Multisensor
Model | RTSP Audio | Max SQ Streams | Max HQ Streams | Max Concurrent Streams |
No | 2 | 2 | 8 |
PTZ
Need more help? Contact Verkada Support.