RTSP
RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) is a network protocol for controlling live video streams from cameras and media servers, with commands like play, pause and teardown. RTSP acts like a remote control: it sets up the session, while the video itself usually travels separately over RTP. It is the standard output of most IP security cameras (CCTV) and many surveillance systems.
Why it matters
Most IP cameras speak RTSP, so any business that wants to show camera feeds on a website or app has to deal with it. Browsers cannot play RTSP directly, which means teams need a conversion step before viewers can watch, adding servers, cost and delay.
How it works
- A client connects to the camera or server and asks what streams it offers using a DESCRIBE command.
- The client sends SETUP to agree how audio and video will travel, usually over RTP.
- PLAY starts the stream, PAUSE stops it, and TEARDOWN ends the session.
- To reach browsers, a media server converts the feed into HLS or WebRTC.
Can a browser play RTSP?
No, modern browsers cannot play RTSP streams directly. To show an IP camera feed on a website, a media server pulls the RTSP stream and converts it to HLS for broad playback or WebRTC for very low delay. Some teams also use desktop apps like VLC for internal monitoring, but that does not work for public viewers.
RTSP vs RTMP: what is the difference?
RTSP controls camera streams, while RTMP pushes live video from an encoder to a platform. RTSP is usually pulled by a client from a camera and sends media over RTP. RTMP is pushed by an encoder over one TCP connection. Security cameras usually output RTSP, while streaming software like OBS usually outputs RTMP or RTMPS.
Where it's used
Security and traffic monitoring services, sports venues and video platforms working with IP cameras use RTSP to pull camera feeds, then convert them to HLS or WebRTC for viewing.
By the numbers
- RTSP 2.0 was published as RFC 7826 in December 2016, replacing RTSP 1.0 from RFC 2326. (RFC 7826: Real-Time Streaming Protocol Version 2.0)
