Camera setup
Dahua Camera and NVR RTSP Setup for OmniNVR
Use Dahua camera and recorder RTSP URLs, channel numbers, stream subtypes, and ONVIF accounts for reliable OmniNVR viewing and recording.
Compatibility is model- and firmware-specific. OmniNVR and TardisLabs are not affiliated with or endorsed by Dahua.
Check compatibility before you start
Give the camera or NVR a stable LAN address, confirm the RTSP service port, and create a least-privilege account. Enable ONVIF and create an ONVIF user separately if the firmware requires it. A recorder connection is often easiest for cameras on an NVR's isolated PoE ports; direct camera connections provide clearer fault isolation when the cameras are reachable on the LAN.
Add the camera or NVR channel
Use rtsp://DEVICE-IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 for channel 1 main and change subtype=1 for the sub stream. For an NVR, change channel=1 to the required recorder channel.
Enter credentials separately in OmniNVR. Add the sub stream as the continuous recording source and the main stream for high-detail review. Test channel numbers against the recorder's live grid because disabled or reordered channels can create gaps.
Choose recording roles
Use the lower-bitrate sub stream for continuous history when it has enough detail, and reserve the main stream for focused live view or event clips. This reduces storage and decode load without giving up high-quality evidence around important moments.
Before scaling up, record one camera for at least fifteen minutes, play it from the timeline, disconnect the network briefly, and restart OmniNVR. A working live preview alone does not prove that timestamps, recovery, and storage are reliable.
Troubleshooting checklist
- 401 Unauthorized: verify the account has live-view permission and that ONVIF credentials are not being confused with a different web account.
- Extra stream missing: configure the sub stream in the Encode page.
- NVR channel offline: test the same channel in the recorder UI before changing OmniNVR.
- High CPU: switch the recording role to the lower-bitrate subtype and reduce unnecessary audio.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Dahua camera work with OmniNVR?
No. The camera or recorder must expose a compatible RTSP, RTSPS, ONVIF, or HLS stream, and support varies by model, firmware, codec, power mode, and network topology.
Should I connect to the camera or the brand NVR?
Connect directly when the camera is reachable and you want independent streams. Connect to the NVR when cameras are isolated behind its PoE network or the recorder is the only endpoint that exposes each channel.
Can I expose the RTSP port to the internet?
Do not forward camera RTSP ports for long-term remote access. Keep cameras local and use a trusted VPN when remote viewing is required.
Sources and further reading
Build your NVR on the Apple devices you already own.
Monitor, record, review, and retain RTSP and ONVIF camera video locally.