RTSP-enabled cameras are widely used and often the only option for connectivity, especially in the industrial sector. For instance, high-end models like the Bosch MIC IP Starlight 7100i ($9000), utilized in oil and gas facilities and military ships, only support RTSP.
The primary use of these cameras involves local network connections. However, there is an increasing demand for obtaining video streams from RTSP cameras over the Internet.
Working with RTSP cameras via the Internet presents several challenges:
Need for Public IP Addresses: Each RTSP camera operates as a server, necessitating a public IP address for external access. If multiple cameras are involved, this requires port forwarding configuration.
Low Efficiency Over Long Distances: The RTSP protocol is not optimized for data transmission over long distances and unreliable communication channels, falling short compared to modern protocols like SRT.
Solution Based on SRT Streamer PRO
To address these issues, we developed the RTSP to SRT conversion functionality in our SRT Streamer PRO product.
How It Works:
The configuration file specifies the RTSP camera addresses.
SRT Streamer PRO connects to the cameras and retrieves the video streams.
The acquired streams are encapsulated in the SRT protocol without transcoding, reducing the load on the system.
The SRT streams are transmitted to the designated remote server in the Studio or Control Center.
Advantages:
Ease of Setup: No complicated network configuration or port forwarding is required.
Efficiency: The absence of transcoding allows for the use of low-powered computers (our performance test is detailed below).
Stability and Transmission Distance: The SRT protocol offers reliable data transmission over long distances through unstable communication channels, such as the Starlink satellite internet.
Example of Use with Starlink
Modern vessels are increasingly equipped with high-quality surveillance cameras supporting RTSP protocol. Installing SRT Streamer PRO on board such a vessel allows it to act as a bridge between the cameras and a remote command center.
SRT Streamer PRO, by receiving video signals from the RTSP cameras, converts it into an SRT stream and transmits it via the Starlink channel to the command center. Thanks to the high efficiency of SRT when operating through unreliable communication channels like Starlink, stable and high-quality video transmission is ensured.
At the command center, the stream is received by an SRT decoder such as the SRT MiniServer and is forwarded to a monitoring station to assess the situation on and around the ship in real time.
Remote Control Capability (PTZ)
Using SRT MiniServer in the Studio opens up additional possibilities for camera control, including remote management of pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) functions through a PTZ controller.
Performance Measurements
As noted earlier, the direct stream forwarding without transcoding means that a powerful computer is not required for processing video signals. For our demonstration, we used a mini-PC based on an Intel N100 processor, which cost around $100.
In our test, we successfully ran the reception and retransmission of four RTSP streams on this device. As can be seen from the presented results, the system handled the load effectively over an extended period. The CPU usage peaked at around 60-70%, indicating ample performance headroom.
Based on the data collected, we can conclude that this mini-PC is capable of handling a greater number of streams – up to six, presumably – without compromising stability and quality of transmission.
Conclusion
SRT Streamer PRO offers a simple and reliable solution for integrating RTSP cameras into remote monitoring systems.
The RTSP to SRT conversion functionality, available in version 1.1.4 and later, significantly enhances the quality and stability of the signal during transmission over long distances, especially under unstable internet conditions.
We invite you to test this capability and share your experience!
And one moment ... I would like to add one more important point. The RTSP to SRT is available in the trial version completely without any restrictions. This means that there will be no watermark, and the trial version of SRT Streamer PRO 1.1.4 is also not time-limited.
Thus, with SRT Streamer PRO, you can perform RTSP to SRT conversion absolutelyFREE of charge. Just download and use (guide)