How to Add RTSP IP Camera to OBS Studio

Integrating a remote network IP camera into OBS Studio allows you to use security cameras, baby monitors, or professional network cameras as video sources for your live streams or recordings. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough on how to locate your camera’s RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) link and configure it as a live source within OBS Studio.

Step 1: Find Your Camera’s RTSP URL

Before configuring OBS Studio, you need the correct RTSP URL for your specific IP camera. This URL format varies by manufacturer, but generally follows this structure:

rtsp://[username]:[password]@[IP_address]:[port]/[stream_path]

• Username/Password: Your camera’s login credentials.
• IP Address: The local or public IP address of the camera.
• Port: The RTSP port (default is usually 554).
• Stream Path: The specific path designated by your camera’s manufacturer (e.g., /live, /stream1, or /h264). Refer to your camera’s user manual or search online databases like Connect DVR to find your specific model’s stream path.

Step 2: Add the RTSP Stream to OBS Studio

Once you have your RTSP URL, follow these steps to add it to OBS Studio:

1. Launch OBS Studio.
2. Go to the Sources dock at the bottom of the screen and click the + (Add) button.
3. Select Media Source from the list.
4. Name the source (e.g., “IP Camera”) and click OK.
5. In the properties window, uncheck the box labeled Local File.
6. In the Input field, paste your complete RTSP URL.
7. In the Input Format field, type rtsp.
8. (Optional) Uncheck Show nothing when playback ends to prevent the screen from going black if the connection briefly drops.
9. Click OK.

Your IP camera’s live feed should now appear in the OBS Studio preview window.

Step 3: Optimize for Low Latency (Optional)

Network cameras can sometimes experience lag or delay. To reduce latency in OBS Studio:

1. Right-click your IP camera source and select Properties.
2. Scroll down to Network Buffering.
3. Set the buffer size to a lower value or change it to 1 MB to decrease delay. Note that setting this too low may cause frame drops if your network connection is unstable.

Alternative Method: VLC Video Source

If the standard Media Source experiences stuttering or fails to load, you can use the VLC Video Source plugin built into OBS (requires the 64-bit version of VLC Media Player to be installed on your computer):

1. Click the + (Add) button in the Sources dock.
2. Select VLC Video Source and click OK.
3. Click the + button on the right side of the Playlist box and select Add Path/URL.
4. Paste your RTSP URL into the box and click OK.
5. Click OK to save the source.