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Frequently Asked Questions

What is ITVDesk?​

ITVDesk is a professional software solution for computer-based video surveillance.

It transforms any computer into a fully ONVIF-compliant IP camera or NVR, allowing you to stream:

  • Desktop screen
  • Webcam
  • Media files
  • Custom video sources

directly into existing VMS, NVR, or ONVIF-compatible systems.

Can I record video locally on my computer without a hardware NVR?​

Yes.

ITVDesk supports local video recording using ONVIF Recording Services. Video can be stored directly on the computer’s local storage and managed remotely via:

  • ITVDesk VMS Client
  • Any ONVIF-compatible VMS or recorder

No external NVR hardware is required.

What are the system requirements for ITVDesk?​

ITVDesk runs on most modern operating systems, including:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux

Minimum requirements:

  • Medium-performance CPU
  • At least 150 MB of disk space

Exact requirements depend on video resolution, encoding, and number of streams.

What is P2P Platform Access in ITVDesk?​

P2P Platform Access allows secure remote access to ITVDesk without:

  • Port forwarding
  • Public IP addresses
  • Manual firewall configuration

Using the ITVDesk VMS platform, users can connect to remote ITVDesk instances via peer-to-peer (P2P) technology.

This enables:

  • Remote viewing and management
  • Access outside the local network (LAN)
  • Operation behind NAT, firewalls, or mobile connections

The connection uses secure signaling and direct peer connections whenever possible.

When should I use P2P Platform Access?​

P2P access is ideal for:

  • Remote monitoring
  • Installations with limited network access
  • Environments where port forwarding is not allowed or not desired

What is an ONVIF camera in ITVDesk?​

ONVIF is a global open industry standard defining how IP-based security devices communicate.

In ITVDesk, ONVIF is used to:

  • Simulate IP cameras
  • Ensure compatibility with VMS/NVR systems
  • Enable standardized video, events, and control interfaces

How can I stream my desktop or webcam to an NVR?​

  1. Install ITVDesk
  2. Add a new IP Camera
  3. Select Desktop or Webcam as the media source
  4. Use the RTSP stream URL, for example:
    • rtsp://yourip:port/ipc1-stream1/screenlive0
    • rtsp://yourip:port/ipc1-stream1/videodevice0
tip

You can stream your entire desktop or webcam directly to any ONVIF-compatible system.

Can I simulate an ONVIF camera with ITVDesk?​

Yes.

ITVDesk can fully simulate ONVIF IP cameras and NVR devices, including support for:

  • RTSP video streaming
  • ONVIF device discovery
  • PTZ control
  • OSD (On-Screen Display)
  • Image and video settings

This makes ITVDesk ideal for:

  • Testing
  • Development
  • Integration
  • VMS/NVR validation

What does ONVIF mean in the context of ITVDesk?​

ONVIF is an open standard that defines communication between IP-based security devices.

ITVDesk fully implements ONVIF standards, enabling seamless interoperability with:

  • Third-party cameras
  • NVR systems
  • VMS platforms

Does ONVIF use RTSP?​

Yes.

RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) is used to establish and control media sessions.

ITVDesk uses:

  • ONVIF Profile S / T
  • RTSP for video streaming

to deliver video from ITVDesk to ONVIF clients.

How does ITVDesk work on Linux?​

ITVDesk for Linux is distributed as an AppImage.

Benefits:

  • No installation required
  • No dependency issues
  • Works on both rolling and stable distributions

To run:

chmod a+x ITVDesk*.AppImage
./ITVDesk*.AppImage

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## What is the best way to confirm a camera is ready for NVR/VMS?

Use **[Network Camera Test](/front-ui/network-camera-test)** from the camera
context menu (`Test Selected Camera...`).

It checks the most common integration failures (ports, bind IP, auth handshake,
main/sub streams, conflicts, and FFplay probe) and can export a report for
support.

---

## Why does Connected Clients show "Unknown client"?

`Connected Clients` resolves the client name from the same audit/client access
events used by the security UI.

If there is no recent audit entry for that IP (or the client did not provide a
name), ITVDesk may show `Unknown client`.
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