IP Camera Configuration CCTV Setup with or Without Router, What’s an IP camera? How does it work? How to configure the IP camera network? Or more specifically, what’s my camera IP address ? How to find the port number of my IP camera?Follow this IP camera network configuration tutorial, and you’ll get answers to all questions concerning the IP camera configuration and start video monitoring at once!In fact, the configuration of IP cameras can be super easy (with or without a router)!

And the cameras can record, save videos and stream live view even without IP camera configuration. Do check these solutions out if the tech is not your type of thing, or you are just looking for an IP camera with easy setup.

What Is an IP Camera

IP camera (Internet protocol camera) distinguishes itself with a direct connection to the Internet, which enables it to send and receive data via the Internet.

After proper IP camera configuration, you are able to access the CCTV camera via your network mobile devices (phone, PC or tablet). That’s to say, you can watch camera live, receive push alerts, and check the camera recordings wherever you are (inside or outside home network).

IP camera data transmission is based on the IP camera address assigned by the router or the NVR. So typically, you will need to find the right IP camera address to access the camera on the Internet.

IP Camera Configuration Guide

Technically, the major task for IP camera configuration is to get the right IP address of your camera which serves as the only clue to find it among various devices attached to the same network.

Note that the IP camera installation and configuration on the local area network (LAN) could be a little different from that in the wide area network (WAN). And whichever way you go with, the cameras should be on the network so that they can be accessed.

So we’ll break the IP camera configuration with networking into three parts:

Step 1. Configure IP Camera Network

Before you start setting the IP camera configuration, make sure both your monitoring devices and CCTV cameras (and NVR) are connected to the home network. This could be done with or without router.

Here is a CCTV camera wire connection diagram for your reference:

Reolink RLC-410 PoE IP camera network diagram

Check full explanation of security camera connection here.

Step 2. IP Camera Configuration on LAN

To configure IP cameras on the LAN, like the typical home network, you need to find out the CCTV camera local IP address.

Previously we introduced 3 ways for you to do that.

And then you only need to input the IP address on the web search bar to get into the camera’s web UI, and then everything will appear.

Here is a CCTV camera configuration video tutorial on the LAN.

Step 3. CCTV Camera Configuration on WAN

As for IP camera configuration on the WAN, port forwarding is a typical way to go, which generally requires the camera local IP address, HTTP and RTMP port number, and the WAN IP address.

What is port forwarding?

Simply put, port forwarding transfers your local IP address into a public one which is used to access a specific camera in a wide area network (WAN), like crossing the neighborhoods or even countries.

Follow the detailed steps in our previous post for a quick IP camera configuration.

You shall get something like http://183.37.194.134:805 with the address format http://(wanip):(httpport). Input it on the browser, you can start video monitoring right away.

Shortcut to IP Camera Configuration

Get confused by the technical terms on the IP camera configuration steps above?

Is there any easy way to configure IP camera for people with the only basic understanding of the Internet?

The answer is absolutely YES.

P2P technology makes the IP camera configuration easy enough for even beginners. Moreover, P2P security cameras (including both wireless cameras and wired PoE cameras ) effectively save your trouble of fixing the IP address for stable remote viewing.

So what is P2P? How to configure IP camera on Internet with P2P?

Simply put, each P2P enabled security camera is registered at the P2P server at the developer level and identified with a unique ID number (UID). So every time you want to access the camera locally or remotely, you only need to ping the P2P server via the security camera software with the camera UID.

For P2P IP camera configuration, basically, only 3 simple steps are required:

(Here we take the P2P camera Reolink RLC-410 as an example to detail the steps on CCTV camera configuration on the Internet.)

#1. Download the IP camera configuration software Reolink App or Client to your phones or PC.

#2. Launch the Reolink App or Client and enter the UID to add the security camera.

(CCTV camera mobile configuration screenshot)

#3. Click the camera on the software and the configuration of CCTV camera is done. You can then watch the live view inside and outside your home network.

Is the IP camera configuration secure via the P2P server?

Actually, P2P is not a new technology. It has been used maturely on many fields including the Skype. And reputable brands like Reolink have adopted many ways to keep the data transmission absolutely secure, including using multiple servers and advanced encryptions.

So if you are looking for an IP camera with easy setup, the P2P camera will not let you down (Download the IP camera client manual for more detailed guide with screenshots of every setting step).

IP Camera Configuration Without Router

Generally speaking, the CCTV camera router configuration is indispensable for remote viewing.

Yet the 4G P2P LTE camera makes it possible for you to set up wireless cameras without connecting to a router.

The trick is that 4G security cameras are running on the cellular network provided by a SIM card, and thereby its data transmission and the whole CCTV IP camera configuration are independent from the WiFi network.

But how could we do the IP camera configuration if it doesn’t have an IP address (since it is not connected to the router)?

That’s where the P2P technology comes in. P2P provides an easy exit for remote viewing with no need of an IP address: Simply entering the UID and password on the camera app or client, and then you can access the camera.

So the 4G LTE camera is your best choice if you don’t want to mess around with the IP camera router configuration.

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CCTV Camera Without Configuration

To make IP camera configuration even easier, you can just skip the whole IP camera setup thing with an NVR security camera system.

The configuration of DVR/NVR camera surveillance is a little bit different.

The point is you don’t need to do the IP camera configuration with NVR if you only want the cameras to record and save on the network video recorder (NVR).

That’s because the NVR and cameras connected to it will automatically build a private network once powered up. Within the subnet, cameras and NVR could communicate with each other. So you don’t need to connect it to a router or do any IP camera configuration.

For example, the Reolink RLK8-410B4 can save your trouble of IP camera NVR configuration and offer you 24/7 protection. Check the NVR CCTV camera setup with this diagram:

However, if you want remote viewing, say accessing the cameras on your phone or receiving push notifications, you still need the help of a router and add the cameras to the surveillance software. (Don’t forget the P2P technology can simplify the CCTV camera system configuration.)

If you have any questions about IP camera configuration & remote access, let me know by commenting below and I will reply to you soon.

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5 Steps to Stream IP Cameras to YouTube/FB & Set up RTSP URLs

You can stream the IP camera to YouTube, by transmiting the video stream with the IP camera’s RTSP URL.With the help of software such as OBS or Streamlabs, you can remotely watch the live feed from your security camera or share the YouTube live stream to the rest of the world, or if you have a website, you can even embed the live stream on your website.

So in this article, we will tell you how to live IP Camera streaming to YouTube/FB with RTSP

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How to Make IP Camera Streaming to YouTube with RTSP

The following video tutorial shows setting up IP camera for YouTube live streaming, you can learn those steps required in this video.

Step 1. Make Sure Your IP Security Cameras Are Connected to Stable Network

Things You Need to Stream Security Cameras to YouTube:

To launch a security camera live streaming on YouTube, you need to check if your IP cameras are connected to the stable network first, just the same as setting up security cameras for remote viewing.

Note that a stable network connection allows you to access your CCTV cameras via smartphones or PCs and watch video live feed smoothly.

Most importantly, before adding the camera to a 3rd party software, you should check or change the port settings of your device via Reolink Client, web browser, or NVR. (See How to Set up Reolink Ports Settings via Reolink Client)

Step 2. Build the RTSP/RTMP URL of Your IP Cameras

An RTSP or RTMP URL is required to live stream an IP camera to YouTube.
To construct a correct URL, it is best to consult the staff of your security camera brands about which mode your surveillance equipment supports and the detailed URL as well.

Note: What is the RTSP URL to YouTube of my IP camera? The default URL format for RTSP to YouTube is：rtsp://(user name):(password)@(ip address):554/h264Preview_01_main For example, my user name is admin, my password is 123456, and the IP address is 192.168.0.18 by checking Reolink Client or App. In addition to the user name, password, IP address, do not change any other content. That means that the corresponding RTSP address should be: rtsp://admin:123456@192.168.0.18:554/h264Preview_01_main However, this is not absolute, at least for Reolink brand cameras. If the IP camera you bought is from another brand, you can try to see if it works first. If it doesn’t work, you can check the product description of your camera, or contact their after-sales service.

For example, Reolink IP cameras support RTSP stream and the URL is as follows:
Main stream: rtsp://(user name):(password)@(ip address):554/h264Preview_01_main
Sub stream: rtsp://(user name):(password)@(ip address):554/h264Preview_01_sub
Updated, July 2021: If you are using 4K cameras with H.265 codec, like RLC-810A, the RTSP URLs are:
Main stream: rtsp://(user name):(password)@(ip address):554/h265Preview_01_main
Sub stream: rtsp://(user name):(password)@(ip address):554/h264Preview_01_sub

So, you may check out the IP address of your security camera in Reolink App or Client first, which is 192.168.1.20 in our example.

Combined with the username “admin” and password “654321”, then the RTSP URL will be:
Main Stream: rtsp://admin:654321@192.168.1.20:554/h264Preview_01_main
Sub Stream: rtsp://admin:654321@192.168.1.20:554/h264Preview_01_sub

Also, note that this applies to a security camera system with NVR as well. By changing the figure at the end of the URL, you are able to live stream the IP camera connected to any other channels of your NVR.
To illustrate: Supposed that you want to stream the Channel 3 security camera on your NVR to YouTube, then the RTSP URL will be:
Main stream: rtsp://(user name):(password)@(ip address):554/h264Preview_03_main
Sub stream: rtsp://(user name):(password)@(ip address):554/h264Preview_03_sub
Editor’s Tip: To make the live streaming setup easier, it is best to copy and paste the stream URL in a notepad or any safe locations after building one.

Step 3. Verify Your YouTube Accounts & Obtain Stream Key

Before you are able to live stream an IP camera to YouTube, you need a verified YouTube account.

If you don’t have an account, go to the homepage of YouTube and click Sign In.

Supposed that you have an unverified account, navigate to YouTube verify screen and get your account verified.

Generally speaking, it takes 24 hours for the video platform to activate your account for live streaming.

Once activated, you are able to obtain the stream key and configure the streaming setup with the following steps:

#4. Copy and paste the key to a notepad or any other safe location.

Editor’s Tip: Do not share it with someone you don’t know. Or else, others may take advantage of your account and live stream to your YouTube channel.

Step 4. Install & Set Up Encoders to Stream IP Cameras to YouTube

Important: Some security cameras that support RTMP push allow you to live stream IP cameras directly to YouTube without using any encoders. So, it is best to contact the staff of your security camera brands and ask them whether an encoder is needed for YouTube live streaming.

YouTube has made up a list of several reliable encoders and we will take Open Broadcast Software (OBS), a free and open-source, as our example.

3. Create a new source and type in a name like “IP Camera Live Stream”. Make sure that you check the Make source visible at the bottom.
4. Uncheck all the choices and enter the RTSP URL in the Input field.

5. Then your IP camera live feed will show on the OBS screen. Right-click the live feed and click Transform –> Stretch to screen to adjust the video size.

Step 5. Configure Live Streaming Settings in the Encoders

After setting up the encoders, now you are really close to launching a successful security camera live stream on YouTube.

3. Click Starting Streaming in OBS and navigate to your YouTube account to check if you are on live now.
4. If you want to stop IP camera live streaming on YouTube or when the event terminates, stop streaming in OBS.

And that’s it!

Before starting an IP camera live streaming on YouTube, you’d better test if the settings work.

Thinking about how to improve the performance of your YouTube live stream? Find some of the possible tips & solutions in the next part.

How to Make IP Camera Streaming to Facebook Live with RTSP

The steps to stream a security camera to Facebook live are very similar to the steps to stream that to YouTube, first you have to get the RTSP address of the security camera, and then stream the live video to Facebook Live through OBS software.
Just follow the steps below to complete it:

1. Get the RTSP live stream address of the security camera.

For Reolink camera, the URL is:

rtsp://(user name):(password)@(ip address):554/h264Preview_01_main

You can find the IP address in the Reolink Client or mobile App. Replace (username) and (password) with the username and password you set before.

For other brands of cameras, I believe you can get this information in the product manual, or at the after-sales service.

2. Install and open the OBS software.

You can download the software installation package on their official website.

3. Add a media source in OBS.

Select “+ Add” under Sources>>Select “Media Source” from the menu>> Select “Create New” and enter the name >> Select “OK”>> Uncheck the “Local File” check box >> In the “Input” field, enter the RTSP feed.

4. View the camera’s real-time video stream in OBS software.

If you get the above steps right, you should be able to preview the screen now.

5. Choose to stream to Facebook Live in the OBS software.

Select “Stream” from the list on the left side >> Select the “Service” in the drop-down menu.

6. Log in to Facebook in your browser and set up the connection.

Select the “Live Video” post option>>Select “Connect” at the top>> Select “Settings” on the top right>>Select “Live Video” to expand the live video settings>>Check the box “Publish this as a continuous live video”.
And now you have got a Stream Key from Facebook. Copy the text from the “Stream Key” field.

7. Fill in the Stream Key in the OBS setting window

Go to OBS setting window >>Paste the Stream Key into the “Stream Key” field>>Select “Apply”.

8.Go to Facebook in your browser. Add a title and description, and click “Go live”.

You can now successfully view the camera’s real-time video on Facebook live.

How to Stream Multiple IP Cameras with One Single PC

Many people have more than one camera, for example 3 or 4, so they want to stream all of them through the platform, which can be done by adding multiple media sources in OBS. Then set up a stream through OBS, so that multiple cameras can be live viewed using only a single PC.

1. Record the RTSP URL list of all your cameras.

The default RTSP address for Reolink cameras is: rtsp://(user name):(password)@(ip address):554/h264Preview_01_main

For example, my user name is admin, my password is 123456, and the IP address is 192.168.0.18 by checking Reolink Client or App.

That means that the corresponding RTSP address should be: rtsp://admin:123456@192.168.0.18:554/h264Preview_01_main

So your list should look like this:

2. Add the RTSP addresses of all your cameras in order in OBS.

In the source>>Click “plus”>>Click “media source”>>Click “new”>>Uncheck “local file”>>In the field “input”, fill in camera1’s RTSP address.

Similarly, add all the cameras to the media source.

3. Scale and drag the screen to the right size and position until you are satisfied.

The camera images added later will obscure the camera images added earlier. So you need to drag and scale the image.

Click the screen you need to adjust in OBS, a red box with control points will appear around the screen, drag and drop the control points to achieve screen scaling, but this is equal scaling and cannot show screen cropping.

To crop, just press and hold the Alt key (Mac is Option key), and then drag and drop the control point on the side that needs to be cropped. At this point we will notice that the box line on the side to be cropped turns green, which indicates that the screen has been cropped.

You can adjust it until all the camera previews appear on the screen to your satisfaction.

4. Set the platform for the stream.

In the “stream” option you can set the live streaming platform as Twitch, YouTube Live, Facebook live, etc., and link the account.

5. To start live stream.

Now that all other options are set, you need to click “start streaming” and so far, all the steps are done.

Now, in the live screen, you can see all the multiple security ip camera feeds.

Security Cameras Live Streaming to YouTube: 4 Essential Tips to Improve Viewing Experience

Following the detailed guide above to stream IP cameras to YouTube is never the end of successful live streaming.

Poor image quality or slow Internet connection, are the common problems that you may encounter when going live on YouTube.

To provide a smooth viewing experience to your audience, check out the 4 useful tips as follows.

Tip 1. Choose Security Cameras with Extra Clear Image Quality & Sharp Night Vision

What would you do when finding out the security camera live streaming on YouTube comes with low image quality?

Click the settings and select the highest resolution, right?

And that is what viewers will do as well.

To deliver sharp images with great details on your channel, it is best to choose a megapixel security camera that captures images with the resolution of 1080p, 4MP and even 5MP both day and night.

Aside from the resolution, you may also check out the specifications listed below in security camera product pages:
1.Field of view: The wider the viewing angle is, the larger the monitoring area your surveillance camera can cover.

If you would like to broadcast every corner of the rooms, gardens, or construction sites on YouTube, choose a PTZ dome security camera that is able to rotate and cruise with a designated patrol path.
Hold Up: Check out the versatile PTZ IP camera Reolink RLC-823A, which can pan and tilt to capture everything around.

Check out this sample video below of this 4K security camera.

Tip 2. Ensure the Internet Upload Speed Meets the Needs of IP Camera Live Streaming on YouTube

Another key factor to smooth live streaming is the fast Internet upload speed.

The recommended upload speed for HD live streaming on YouTube is 3 to 5 Mbps (megabits per second).

Or else, your YouTube live streaming may end up with poor image quality and jittery videos.

Also, note that going live on YouTube takes up much of the IP camera bandwidth. So, when the network connection is not stable, you may not be able to watch the security camera live feed via the Client or App.
Add-On Tip: Make sure that you are going live on YouTube via a reliable network. Otherwise, disruption of the connection may lead to live stream failures.

Tip 3. Record IP Cameras On-Site While Live Streaming

Can you save the precious moments captured by your IP security cameras when they are on live?

Of course, Yes!

Generally speaking, you are able to stream a security camera to YouTube while storing the captured images and videos at the same time.

Make sure that you have put SD cards into your security cameras or connect them to an NVR.
Read More: Click here to learn more options to record security cameras 24/7.

Even if you have forgotten to back up the recordings, you can still find them in the Video Manager since YouTube will automatically archive your live streaming for up to 12 hours when the stream is over.

Tip 4. Protect Your Own Privacy When Streaming IP Camera to YouTube Live

Aside from providing a smooth viewing experience to your viewer, it is vital to protect personal information during IP camera live stream.

Here is a YouTube live stream safety checklist for your reference:

FAQs about Streaming IP Cameras

Can You Stream IP Cameras to YouTube Without Any Software?

For Reolink IP cameras, the best way to stream live to YouTube is to use a third-party video streaming encoder software on a PC. This is one of the recommended methods by YouTube support. Also, some other security camera brands offer cameras with a built-in live streaming application. So, you can live stream IP cameras directly to YouTube and other online video platforms without a PC or any encoder.

However, it costs higher.You have to buy new cameras and one license for each camera. In other words, you may need to pay over $500 to stream an IP camera directly to YouTube without a PC.

How to Stream CCTV Cameras to Zoom, Twitch, or Other Platforms?

As the online video platforms accept live streaming using stream key or paired encoders, you can stream your IP cameras live to these platforms.

The streaming procedures on Facebook, Zoom, and Twitch are basically the same as YouTube Live. Start live streaming to Facebook Live, Zoom Live, and Twitch Live now!

Why Do I Get No Pictures in OBS Studio and YouTube?

Some users have experienced black screen with sound but no picture on the OBS studio and YouTube.If you are using a laptop, you may run into capture issues (black screen). Your laptop may be drawing one image to the power saving GPU, and another to the performance GPU. However, in order to capture efficiently, OBS itself must be running on the same GPU as the image you wish to capture.

If OBS is running on adapter A, and an image is being drawn on adapter B, you will get a black screen when trying to capture it. Unfortunately, there’s nothing anyone can really do about it. This is just the way laptops are designed.

Here are solutions when you encounter OBS capture issues (black screen):

Conclusion

IP camera for streaming to YouTube/FB can be a great way to share your video feed with the world or simply monitor your property remotely. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can easily set up the RTSP URL of your IP camera and stream live video.

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