Are RTSP Streams functional?

[Sonny-Crockett]

Description

I have some RTSP streams that work in VLC, but I cannot seem to get the function using the Video Stream widget.

Please tick the boxes

• You've read the docs
• You've checked for duplicate issues

[manuel-rw]

Hi, this was discussed on our Discord.
for thid reason, this is a copy of the discussion:

RTSP is a legacy format, that was used for Flash.
It cannot be used by a browser directly and the usage of Flash is not recommended due to security concerns.
https://stackoverflow.com/a/43324477
videojs/video.js#3939
https://videojs.com/guides/faqs/#q-how-can-i-play-rtmp-video-in-videojs

You should use HTS or DASH as alternatives, as they are built in into browser and are secure.
https://videojs.com/guides/faqs/#q-does-videojs-support-live-video

https://videojs.com/html5-video-support/

[Sonny-Crockett]

Sorry for my ignorance on this. I searched RTSP and didn't get any results, so I'd figured I'd ask. Yeah I am using an older NVR, so I will see if there is any way I can convert midstream or something.

Thanks!

[manuel-rw]

btw, this is also mentioned in our documentation, that only HLS and DASH are supported:
https://homarr.dev/docs/widgets/video/

[manuel-rw]

No worries.
I suggest that you try out https://github.com/deepch/RTSPtoWeb.
I cannot confirm that this work, because I don't run any streams myself, but it should in theory.

[Sonny-Crockett]

I was able to use this package on CA/unRAID. https://github.com/AlexxIT/go2rtc

I am getting picture, but for the mp4 streams(http://192.xxx.x.xxx:1984/api/stream.mp4?src=frontdoor) its very stable, but won't actually start (in edge) unless I display controls and press play. The HLS streams http://192.xxx.x.xxx:1984/api/stream.m3u8?src=frontdoor&mp4) works for several seconds then breaks, with the spinning circle staying over a still image.

I may need to mess with it more but just wanted to give my experience so far.

[manuel-rw]

Okay, thanks for documenting this here.
Can we maybe collect the experiences here and document them later on https://homarr.dev ?
Other users asked the same question, and it would be good to just have that in the documentation.

[SpeakingOfBrad]

I got my RTSP camera to load into Homarr by using go2rtc like @Sonny-Crockett mentioned.

Once you get your camera configured and set up in go2rtc, the stream link that worked best for me is the
- stream.m3u8 legacy HLS/fMP4 / browsers: Safari all, Chrome Android / codecs: H264, H265* under "H264/H265 source". (http://192.x.x.x:1984/api/stream.m3u8?src=frontdoor&mp4)

Also worth mentioning that my camera is a Reolink (wifi doorbell) which has an unstable RTSP stream. But I was able to get a mostly stable RTSP by using the Neolink project as a proxy between the camera and go2rtc.