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External RTSP / ONVIF IP Camera

Overview​

External RTSP / ONVIF Camera allows ITVDesk to connect to an existing network camera, NVR, DVR, or media server and expose it as a virtual ONVIF IP camera.

This enables ITVDesk to:

  • Re-stream external cameras via ONVIF and RTSP
  • Transcode or pass through streams
  • Combine external cameras with desktop, webcam, or audio sources
  • Provide compatibility with VMS/NVR systems that require ONVIF devices

Supported input protocols include:

  • RTSP / RTSPS
  • ONVIF
  • RTMP
  • SRT
  • HTTP MJPEG

All external streams can be converted to RTSP in real time.

Selecting External IP Camera Source​

To add an external camera:

  1. Create a new Virtual ONVIF IP Camera
  2. In Camera Media Source, enable External IP Camera
  3. Choose how the external stream will be added
  4. Configure the connection
  5. Confirm the configuration
tip

After adding (or changing) an external source, run Network Camera Test on the virtual camera to confirm ports, authentication and stream readiness.

Test Selected Camera (context menu)Network Camera Test dialog
External IP camera selection

Connection Methods​

ITVDesk supports two ways of adding an external RTSP / ONVIF camera.

Method 1 – Automatic Stream Discovery (Camera Database)​

This method is intended for users who do not know the exact RTSP URL.

ITVDesk includes a database of camera models and manufacturers that allows automatic stream discovery.

Steps​

  1. Select I don't know my external camera stream URL
  2. Enter:
    • Camera model
    • Camera IP address
    • Username and password
  3. ITVDesk retrieves available stream URLs
  4. Select one of the detected stream profiles
  5. Confirm the selection
Automatic external camera discovery Manual RTSP stream input

Notes​

  • If your exact model is not listed, try another model from the same brand
  • This method simplifies setup for non-technical users
  • ONVIF discovery may also be used when supported by the camera

Method 2 – Manual RTSP / Stream URL​

This method is intended for advanced users or custom setups.

Steps​

  1. Select I know my external camera stream URL
  2. Enter the full stream URL, for example:

rtsp://192.168.1.100:554/stream1

  1. Enter username and password if required
  2. Click Add
  3. Test the stream connection
tip

If playback works locally but fails in your VMS/NVR, run Network Camera Test for a full readiness report.

Manual RTSP stream input Manual RTSP stream input

This method supports:

  • Custom RTSP paths
  • Non-standard ports
  • Streams from NVRs, DVRs, and media servers
  • RTMP, SRT, and MJPEG inputs (converted to RTSP)

On-Demand Connection Mode​

ITVDesk supports on-demand access for external cameras.

When enabled:

  • ITVDesk connects to the external camera only when a client requests video
  • No constant connection is maintained
  • Network and CPU usage are reduced
tip

Use on-demand mode for large deployments or bandwidth-constrained environments.

This is especially useful for:

  • Large camera deployments
  • Limited bandwidth environments
  • External cameras with connection limits

Transcoding vs Direct Streaming​

ITVDesk supports two processing modes for external streams:

Transcoding Enabled (Default)​

  • External stream is decoded and re-encoded
  • Allows:
    • Resolution change
    • Bitrate control
    • Codec conversion
    • Audio mixing
  • Recommended for compatibility and stream control

No Transcoding (Pass-Through)​

  • RTSP requests are forwarded directly to the external camera
  • Lower CPU usage
  • Original stream quality is preserved
  • Requires compatible codecs on the client side

Video Decoding and Processing (GPU / CPU)​

When transcoding is enabled, ITVDesk must first decode the incoming external video stream before it can be processed, mixed, or re-encoded.

ITVDesk automatically selects the most efficient decoding method available on the system.

GPU-Accelerated Decoding (When Supported)​

If the external stream codec and format are supported by the system’s graphics hardware, ITVDesk will use GPU-based video decoding.

This applies mainly to:

  • H.264 / H.265 streams
  • Media server and NVR streams
  • RTSP, RTMP, and SRT sources with standard profiles

GPU decoding reduces CPU load and is preferred when:

  • Multiple external cameras are connected
  • High-resolution streams are used
  • The system supports hardware decoding (e.g. modern GPUs)

The selection of GPU decoding is automatic and does not require manual configuration.

CPU Multi-Threaded Decoding (Fallback and Default)​

If GPU decoding is not available or not supported for a given stream, ITVDesk automatically falls back to CPU-based decoding.

CPU decoding in ITVDesk is:

  • Fully multi-threaded
  • Optimized for multi-core processors
  • Stable across all supported platforms

This ensures that:

  • All supported stream formats can be processed
  • No functionality is lost on systems without GPU acceleration
  • Performance scales with available CPU cores

CPU decoding is commonly used for:

  • MJPEG streams
  • Non-standard RTSP profiles
  • Mixed or unusual external stream formats

Transparent Operation​

From the user’s perspective:

  • No manual selection between GPU and CPU decoding is required
  • ITVDesk automatically chooses the optimal decoding path
  • Stream behavior and configuration remain the same

This design guarantees:

  • Maximum compatibility
  • Predictable performance
  • Reliable operation in both desktop and server environments

Integration with ITVDesk Features​

External cameras can be:

  • Exposed as ONVIF devices
  • Combined with desktop or webcam streams
  • Included in Combined Media layouts
  • Recorded locally
  • Controlled through VMS/NVR systems

This allows ITVDesk to act as a media gateway, not just a screen capture tool.

Summary​

External RTSP / ONVIF Camera support allows ITVDesk to:

  • Integrate existing cameras and NVR streams
  • Convert RTMP, SRT, and MJPEG streams to RTSP
  • Provide ONVIF compatibility for non-ONVIF sources
  • Reduce system load using on-demand connections
  • Combine external and local media sources seamlessly

Next Steps​

👉 Audio Only Stream

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