RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol)
RTSP is an IETF application-layer session-control protocol for real-time media. In AV/security schedules, treat it as the control/setup layer for a camera, encoder, recorder, VMS, or media server stream. The actual media is normally RTP / RTCP using negotiated ports, multicast groups, or interleaved channels inside the RTSP connection. Do not document "RTSP" as if it names the codec, discovery method, recorder, security mode, or complete firewall profile. Sources (official / primary): RFC Editor RFC 2326 RFC Editor RFC 7826 RFC Editor RFC 7825 RFC Editor RFC 3550 RFC Editor RFC 4571 RFC Editor RFC 8866 IANA service-name / port registry IANA RTSP/1.0 Parameters IANA RTSP 2.0 Parameters ONVIF Streaming Specification v25.12 ONVIF Specification History ONVIF Profile T ONVIF Profile S Deprecation Q&A Axis Communications Video streaming over RTSP Axis Communications RTSP Adjustable Live Stream Axis Communications RTSP analytics metadata reference - verified 2026-06-05 Infra context: Normal field designs use TCP 554 or a configured alternate such as 8554 for RTSP control.
Scope: RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) — select the deployed product/version; optional services require separate selection.
protocol · Catalog reviewed 2026-09-27
RFC 2326 (1.0); RFC 7826 (2.0)
Infrastructure Requirements
- RTSP client/server pair
- SDP or other media description
- actual media carriage typically via RTP / RTCP
- control listener commonly on TCP 554 or configured alternate
- negotiated RTP / RTCP UDP ports or interleaved TCP
- codec/payload support
- jitter buffering
- session keepalive/timeout behavior
- managed switching
- and a decoder/player/VMS/NVR that supports the exact URI, stream profile, transport mode, authentication, security posture, audio/metadata expectation, and multicast policy.
Network & Physical Requirements
| Port / allocation | Transport | Connection / signal flow | Feature and requirement | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 554 (default) | TCP | Player / controller → RTSP server | Profile requirement · Core RTSP session control RTSP 2.0 default; RTSP 1.0 remains common | Source checked 2026-09-27 RFC 7826, Section 4.2: RTSP IRI and URI |
| Negotiated | UDP | Media server / source → Player / receiver | Profile requirement · Core Negotiated RTP/RTCP media RTSP-selected UDP media | Source checked 2026-09-27 RFC 3550, Section 11: RTP over Network and Transport Protocols |
| Negotiated | TCP | RTSP server → RTSP client | Optional · Interleaved TCP media Interleaved media on the RTSP connection Negotiated RTSP interleaving | Source checked 2026-09-27 RFC 7826, Section 14: Embedded (Interleaved) Binary Data |
Gotchas & IT Notes
- ⚠Confirm deployed RTSP version, authentication and transport negotiation. 8554 or secure/custom ports apply only when configured.