How to connect RTSP cameras to AI

This is for the reader who's already got cameras on the wall and a recorder in a cupboard, and would rather have the AI read what they already produce than buy anything new. If that's the position you're in, the short version is: it very likely already works, and the setup is pasting a URL.

What an RTSP stream actually is

RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) is the standard way IP cameras and recorders hand video to other systems: a URL that another machine can open to receive the live stream. It's how a VMS or a viewing app on your phone gets the picture from a camera it didn't manufacture. If your CCTV is IP-based at all, RTSP is very likely already there, either switched on already or a settings toggle away.

Finding your RTSP URL

The URL lives in your camera's or recorder's own settings, usually somewhere under network or streaming settings, and the manufacturer's manual will give you the exact format for your device. It typically includes the device's address and a set of credentials. We won't guess at your particular brand's path or port here; the device's own documentation is the reliable source, and it's usually a five-minute look once you know what you're searching for.

1. 01

   Locate the RTSP URL

   Find it in the settings or manual for each camera or channel you want to connect.

2. 02

   Check it's reachable

   The stream needs a reachable route from wherever Svid runs: that's the open internet for cloud, the default, or the same local network for the on-prem appliance.

3. 03

   Add it as a source

   Create an account at app.svid.ai, then add each RTSP URL from the Add tab.

4. 04

   Let it start reading

   The vision model describes every kept frame as it arrives, and the feed becomes searchable and alertable like any other input.

Live and recorded, same pipeline

A live RTSP feed and an uploaded export go through identical processing on the way in. That means a system can start with exports today, while the network side of the live feed gets sorted, and switch over to live RTSP later without redoing anything.

How do I find my camera's RTSP URL?

Check the device's network or streaming settings and its manual. The exact path and port vary by manufacturer, so the device's own documentation is the source to trust.

My cameras go through an NVR, does that still work?

Yes. Most NVRs expose an RTSP stream per channel, and the recorder's documentation will show you the URL format to use.

Does the AI need a special stream format or resolution?

No. It only needs images out of the stream, so there's no particular codec or resolution to arrange in advance.

Can it read recorded footage as well as the live stream?

Yes. Live and recorded footage are treated identically, and you can upload exports alongside a live RTSP connection.