Overview
An RTSP source is a camera or video device that streams video to Hive using the RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) protocol. RTSP is the standard way most IP cameras deliver their video feed over a network.
When you add an RTSP source, you're telling Hive where to find your camera's video stream on your local network. Hive uses this connection to bring your camera's live video into your Studio for remote viewing, PTZ control, recording, and more.
Nearly all cameras supported by Hive use RTSP as their video transport. When you select your camera brand and model during setup, Hive automatically configures the correct RTSP port, path, and other connection details for you.
What you need
A Hive account with an active Studio (room).
A compatible IP camera connected to your local network. Hive supports cameras from many major brands, including:
AIDA, Angekis, AVer, Avonic, Axis, BirdDog, Bolin Technology, BZBGear, Canon, Datavideo, Everet, HDKATOV, HuddleCamHD, JVC, Lumens, Marshall, Minrray, NeoID, NewTek, Panasonic, PTZOptics, Salrayworks, Sony, Telycam, Vizrt, Winsafe, Z CAM, and more.
If your brand isn't listed, you can select "Other" to use a generic configuration.
The camera must be powered on and reachable over the network (same LAN or a routable network).
The camera's RTSP stream must be enabled. Most cameras enable RTSP by default, but some may need it turned on in the camera's own settings page.
Your plan must allow adding another source. The number of video sources you can add depends on your current billing plan (Free, Standard, Pro, or Enterprise).
How to add an RTSP source
Start
Open the Hive desktop app or go to your Hive in your browser.
Navigate to the area where you manage your video sources (cameras).
Select Add Source (or a similar option to add a new camera).
In the Auto-Discovery window, select the source you wish to add to your studio.
If you do not see your source, ensure you've followed the above steps.
If you confirm you have, find your camera's RTSP URL and input it manually by clicking the "Manually Add an RTSP Source" button in the lower left corner of the window.
If you're unsure of where to find the stream URL, we have a list of Supported Drivers in the Help center with links to their e-manuals and RTSP URL formats for your fast reference.
input the URL and click the Check Connection button. When your camera's video feed appears, click the continue button.
In the next window. Confirm the control protocol you wish to use. Possible selections for the control protocol may be VISCA or HTTP. You will also see an automatically filled in UDP or TCP port based on the selection you pick. You can change this if you wish, but we don't recommend it without confirming with your manufacturer's manual. A vast majority of camera sources use the autogenerated ports standard.
After a few seconds since selecting the control type, you should see your video preview window change from "Connecting" to "Connected". Test the controls out by clicking on the directional pad a few times, confirming the controls work as expected.
Once you have control, click save & continue. Your camera is now added into your studio as a source!
While it's active
Once added, your camera's live RTSP video feed will appear in your Studio.
You can control supported cameras (PTZ movement, zoom, focus, exposure, etc.) directly from within Hive.
Depending on the camera model, you may see additional advanced settings in the camera's settings panel, including RTSP-specific settings such as:
RTSP Authentication (on/off toggle) — requires "Save & Apply" after changing
RTSP Port — the port number the camera uses for its RTSP stream
RTSP Max Connections — the maximum number of clients that can connect simultaneously
Stream Protocol selection — on some cameras (e.g., BirdDog), you can choose between RTSP, SRT, RTMP, or Disable for secondary streams.
Stop / Remove
Navigate to your source list in the Studio.
Select the source you want to remove.
Right click on the source.
Choose the option to delete or unlink the source.
The camera's video feed will stop appearing and the camera will unlink from your studio.
Limits and restrictions
Maximum number of sources per Studio: Depends on your billing plan. Each plan defines a
MaxSourceslimit. The exact number is shown when you view your plan details.RTSP port range: The RTSP port can be any value between 1 and 65,535. The default is 554 for most cameras.
Network requirement: The Hive agent on the camera (or bridge) must be able to reach the camera's RTSP stream on the local network. This is achieved by both the camera source and the computer (a computer running Hive is considered a bridge) being on the same subnet.
Supported device types: PTZ cameras, box cameras, box cameras with zoom, and robotic heads.
Cloud bandwidth usage: When accessing your camera remotely (over the cloud rather than local network), bandwidth usage counts against your plan's included Cloud Control quota. Local network usage is unlimited on all plans.
RTSP authentication: Some cameras support enabling/disabling RTSP authentication. If your camera requires RTSP credentials, you'll need to ensure the username and password are configured correctly. Keep these in a secure location when restricting access and network security is a priority.
Some RTSP settings require Save & Apply: Changes to RTSP Authentication, RTSP Mode, and certain streaming settings require you to click "Save & Apply" (rather than auto-saving) for the changes to take effect.
What happens if...
You try to add more sources than your plan allows: You will be prevented from adding the source. You'll need to upgrade your plan or remove an existing source first.
Your camera's RTSP stream is disabled: Hive won't be able to receive video from the camera. Make sure RTSP is enabled on your camera (check your camera's web interface or settings panel in Hive).
You enter the wrong IP address on your camera's interface, or you adjust the port number to the wrong port in Hive: The connection will fail and you won't see video. Double-check the camera's IP address on your network and ensure the port matches what the camera is configured to use.
Your internet connection drops while using Cloud Control: The remote video feed will be interrupted. When the connection is restored, the stream should resume. Local network control is not affected by internet outages.
Your camera disconnects from the network: The video feed will stop. Reconnect the camera to the network and the stream should resume. This may occur for many reasons, such as overheating, loose connections, parameter changes, or network changes.
You don't have permission to add sources: Only users with the appropriate role in the Studio can add or remove sources. Contact your Studio administrator to receive the proper role and permissions.
Troubleshooting
Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
No video after adding a source | Wrong IP address, RTSP disabled on camera, or camera is off | Verify the camera is on, connected to the network, and RTSP is enabled. Double-check the IP address. |
Video is choppy or lagging | Insufficient network bandwidth or high camera bitrate | Try reducing the camera's bitrate or resolution in Advanced Settings. Ensure a stable network connection. |
"RTSP Authentication" changes not taking effect | Setting requires Save & Apply | After toggling RTSP Authentication, click the "Save & Apply" button to commit the change. |
Cannot add a new source | Source limit reached on your plan | Upgrade your plan or remove an unused source. |
Camera shows "connection failed" | Port mismatch or firewall blocking RTSP traffic | Ensure the RTSP port in Hive matches the camera's configured port (default: 554). Check that no firewall is blocking traffic between the Hive bridge/agent and the camera. |
Sub-stream not working | Sub-stream path not configured for this model | Not all camera models have sub-stream support configured. Check Advanced Settings or consult your camera documentation. |
FAQ
Q: What is RTSP? RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) is a standard network protocol used by IP cameras to deliver live video over a network. It's the most common protocol for IP camera streaming.
Q: Do I need to know my camera's RTSP URL? In most cases, no. When you select your camera brand and model, Hive fills in the correct RTSP port and path automatically. You only need to provide the camera's IP address.
Q: What is the default RTSP port? The default RTSP port for most cameras is 554. Some cameras may use a different port — check your camera's documentation if the default doesn't work.
Q: Can I use RTSP with authentication enabled? Yes. If your camera requires RTSP authentication, you can configure it in the camera's Advanced Settings within Hive. You may need to provide the username and password configured on the camera.
Q: How many cameras can I add? This depends on your billing plan. Each plan has a maximum number of video sources. You can view your plan's limits in the billing section of your Studio settings.
Q: Does using RTSP count against my Cloud Control usage? Only when you access the camera remotely over the cloud. Local network usage (when your Hive app and camera are on the same network) is unlimited on all plans.
Q: My camera brand is listed but my specific model isn't. What should I do? Select "Other" under your camera brand. This uses a generic configuration that works with most cameras from that brand. You may need to adjust the RTSP path or port if they differ from the defaults.
Q: Can I use protocols other than RTSP (like SRT or RTMP)? Some cameras support alternative protocols. For example, certain BirdDog cameras let you choose between RTSP, SRT, and RTMP for their secondary stream. This can be configured in Advanced Settings if your camera model supports it.
Q: What device types does Hive support? Hive supports PTZ cameras, box cameras, box cameras with zoom, and robotic heads.
Q: Do I need to install anything on the camera? For embedded-support cameras, Hive runs a lightweight agent directly on the camera. For other setups, you use the Hive desktop app as a bridge to connect to cameras on your local network. The setup process guides you through this.