Overview
Iris lets you bring video from IP cameras, NVRs, and other network video sources into your Studio using two common industry standards:
ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) — A discovery standard. ONVIF lets Iris automatically find cameras on your local network and retrieve their RTSP stream addresses. ONVIF is not how Iris carries video or control commands — it simply makes a camera's RTSP stream discoverable.
RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) — The video transport protocol most IP cameras use, and the connection Iris actually makes to receive video. You can connect to any RTSP-capable camera by entering its stream URL, even if the camera doesn't support ONVIF.
When you add a source using ONVIF, Iris discovers the camera and automatically figures out the correct RTSP stream URL for you, then connects to that RTSP stream. When you add a source using RTSP directly, you provide the URL yourself.
ONVIF is most useful when working with third-party or OEM cameras that aren't officially listed in Iris's supported models but conform to the ONVIF standard.
What You'll Need
An Iris Bridge installed, linked, and running. Without a Bridge, you'll see a warning: "To discover NDI, USB, and RTSP sources, you must first link an Iris Bridge."
Network access — For ONVIF discovery, your camera and the machine running the Bridge must be on the same local network. Discovery works by listening for announcements on that network, so a camera on a different subnet or VLAN will not appear in the discovery list. Manually added RTSP streams work differently: because you supply the stream address yourself, Iris connects to it directly, so any camera your Bridge machine can reach at that address will work.
Camera credentials (for ONVIF sources) — Many ONVIF cameras require a username and password. This is typically the same login you use to access the camera's web interface.
RTSP stream URL (for manual RTSP sources) — The full address of your camera's video stream, e.g.,
rtsp://192.168.1.100:554/live/main. Check your camera's documentation for the correct path.Available source slots on your plan.
Adding an ONVIF Source (Automatic Discovery)
In your Studio, click to add a video source. This opens the "Add a video source" dialog.
On the Discover sources step, Iris automatically scans your network. ONVIF cameras appear in the list labeled as "RTSP (ONVIF)." You can use the filter dropdown to show only ONVIF sources.
Select the camera you want to add. A video preview panel on the right attempts to connect and show a live feed.
If the camera requires authentication, you'll see a badge that says "Authentication Required." Enter the username and password for the camera's web interface and click "Authenticate and Continue."
Once the preview is live, click Continue to proceed through the remaining steps (Configure video → Connect controls) and save.
While Iris queries the camera over ONVIF and connects to its RTSP stream, you'll see a "Connecting..." badge on the preview. If something goes wrong, you may see:
"ONVIF connection failed" — Camera is unreachable or ONVIF isn't enabled on the device
"Invalid credentials" — Wrong username or password
"The device is now locked" — Too many failed login attempts. A countdown timer shows how long to wait.
If the camera is already linked to another Studio, you'll see a confirmation dialog asking if you want to unlink it from the other Studio and link it here instead.
Adding an RTSP Source Manually
Open the Add a video source dialog.
On the Discover sources step, click the "Manually Configure" link at the bottom of the panel (next to "an RTSP source").
You'll jump to the Configure video step. Enter your camera's full RTSP stream URL in the Stream URL field (e.g.,
rtsp://192.168.1.100:554/live/main). If you leave out the port, Iris defaults to 554.Click "Check Connectivity." Iris attempts to connect and shows a live preview on the right.
If the URL is invalid (not a proper RTSP address or missing a host), the input shows an error state and the Check Connectivity button is disabled.
Once the preview appears, continue through the remaining steps to select a manufacturer/model and save.
If your studio has more than one Bridge, you can also select which Bridge should handle this source during setup.
After Adding a Source
Once added, your ONVIF or RTSP source appears as a video source in your Studio. Here's what you can do:
Edit the RTSP URL — Open the device settings and update the Stream URL field. The change takes effect when you save.
Switch video protocol — You can change an existing source from RTSP to NDI (or vice versa) from the Video protocol dropdown in the device settings.
If the camera disconnects after being added, the RTSP driver automatically attempts to reconnect — retrying approximately once per second until the camera comes back online. You don't need to intervene manually.
What Features Are Supported?
Feature | ONVIF Source | RTSP Source |
Auto-discovery | Yes | No — manual URL entry |
Live video preview | Yes | Yes |
Snapshot/thumbnail | Yes | Yes |
PTZ Control | Set up separately in the Connect controls step using a control schema (VISCA over IP or HTTP) | Set up separately in the Connect controls step using a control schema (VISCA over IP or HTTP) |
Position Presets | Yes (via Iris), once camera controls are connected | Yes (via Iris), once camera controls are connected |
Camera metadata | Yes (model, manufacturer, resolution) | Partial |
Stream used in workflows | Yes | Yes |
Advanced Settings | Yes | Yes |
Network Requirements
For ONVIF and RTSP to work, ensure:
ONVIF discovery requires the same local network — the camera and your Iris Bridge need to sit on the same network segment. Discovery depends on network announcements, and those do not travel across subnets or VLANs.
Manually added RTSP streams do not depend on discovery — as long as the machine running your Bridge can reach the camera at the address you enter, the stream will connect.
RTSP port (usually 554) is open
ONVIF port (default 8080 in Iris, though some cameras use different ports) is accessible
UDP and TCP protocols are enabled
No firewall or NAT blocking device discovery or stream access
RTSP connections use TCP with a 10-second connection timeout. If the camera doesn't respond within that window, the connection attempt fails.
If your cameras and your Bridge have to live on separate network segments, contact support@tryiris.ai and we will go through your layout with you.
Supported Codecs
Iris supports the following video codecs for RTSP streams:
H.264 (most common)
H.265
MJPEG (some cameras)
Iris also supports RTSPT (RTSP over TLS) — use rtspt:// in your stream URL if your camera supports encrypted RTSP.
What Happens If…
…you close the app before saving? Any unsaved source configuration is lost. Temporary preview devices are cleaned up automatically.
…your network drops during setup? The connection may fail. For RTSP streams, the system will retry automatically. Once your network recovers, try again.
…you enter the wrong ONVIF credentials? You'll see an "Invalid credentials" badge. The dialog stays open so you can re-enter.
…the camera locks you out after too many failed logins? You'll see a lockout message with a countdown timer. Wait for it to expire, then try again.
…you've reached your plan's source limit? The Continue button and Manually Configure link are disabled. You'll see a message suggesting you upgrade.
…the ONVIF device is already linked to another Studio? A confirmation dialog asks if you want to unlink it from the other Studio and link it here.
…the camera disconnects after being added? The RTSP driver automatically retries the connection approximately once per second until the camera comes back online.
…multiple Bridges are on the same network? They may all discover the same camera. You can select which Bridge handles the source during setup.
…your camera is on a different subnet than your Bridge? It will not show up in the discovery list. If the camera provides an RTSP stream and your Bridge machine can reach its address, add it manually instead of relying on discovery.
Troubleshooting
What's happening | Likely cause | What to do |
No devices in the discovery list | Bridge not linked, or camera not on same network | Ensure your Bridge is installed, linked, and running. Verify the camera is on and on the same network. |
Camera is on a different subnet or VLAN and never appears | ONVIF discovery works on the local network only | Add the camera manually as an RTSP source using its stream address, or move it onto the same local network as your Bridge |
"Authentication Required" badge | Camera requires ONVIF credentials | Enter the username/password for the camera's web interface |
"Invalid credentials" | Wrong username or password | Double-check credentials. Some cameras (e.g., PTZOptics) only accept "admin" as the username. |
"ONVIF connection failed" | Camera unreachable or ONVIF not enabled | Verify the camera's IP is reachable. Check that ONVIF is enabled in the camera's own settings. |
"Device is now locked" | Too many failed login attempts | Wait for the countdown timer, then try again with correct credentials |
RTSP URL shows error state | Invalid URL format | Ensure URL starts with |
"Check Connectivity" button disabled | URL is empty, invalid, or unchanged | Enter or modify a valid RTSP URL |
Video preview not appearing | Stream unreachable or wrong path | Verify the RTSP URL including the stream path. Check camera docs for the correct path. Try testing in VLC first. |
"Reached plan limit for sources" | Plan source cap hit | Remove an existing source or upgrade |
Camera PTZ controls not available | No control schema connected for the camera | Connect camera controls using a control schema (VISCA over IP or HTTP). Not all cameras support PTZ — check your camera's specs. |
Stream connects but no video | Wrong subpath or stream profile | Try different stream paths (e.g., |
FAQs
What's the difference between adding a source via ONVIF vs. RTSP? ONVIF discovers the camera automatically and retrieves its RTSP stream URL for you. With RTSP, you provide the URL yourself. Either way, the video connection itself is RTSP, and camera control is set up separately using a control schema (VISCA over IP or HTTP).
Do I need to know my camera's RTSP URL to use ONVIF? No — that's the main advantage. Iris queries the camera for its stream URL automatically.
Can I use ONVIF discovery across subnets? No. ONVIF discovery relies on announcements that stay on the local network, so the camera and your Bridge need to be on the same network segment. If the camera is reachable at a known address, you can add its RTSP stream manually instead — that path does not use discovery.
What port does ONVIF use? Iris defaults to port 8080. Some cameras may differ, but most ONVIF cameras are discovered automatically via network scanning.
What port does RTSP use? Standard is 554. If you omit the port from your URL, Iris defaults to 554.
Can I change the RTSP URL of an existing source? Yes. Open the device settings and update the Stream URL field.
Can I switch a source from RTSP to NDI? Yes. In the device settings, change the Video protocol dropdown. RTSP and NDI are both video transports.
Does Iris support RTSP over TLS (RTSPT)? Yes. Use rtspt:// in your URL if your camera supports RTSP over TLS.
Can I control PTZ through ONVIF? No — ONVIF's role in Iris is discovery only, not control. Camera movement is driven by a control schema: Iris translates your action in the UI into commands sent over VISCA over IP or HTTP. You connect these during the Connect controls step. If no control schema is connected, movement controls won't be available.
What happens if my camera temporarily goes offline? Iris automatically attempts to reconnect the RTSP stream. Once the camera comes back, the feed should resume without manual intervention.
Can multiple Bridges see the same camera? Yes. You select which Bridge handles the source during setup.
What cameras are supported? Any camera that supports ONVIF or provides an RTSP stream should work. Iris has built-in support for many brands including PTZOptics, Bolin, Lumens, BZBGEAR, Marshall, Panasonic, HuddleCamHD, and others.
Can I link multiple RTSP streams from the same device? Yes. Add multiple RTSP sources under different names.
Are ONVIF sources secure? ONVIF discovery messaging uses HTTP or HTTPS as its transport, depending on the camera — this is separate from the HTTP control schema used to send PTZ commands. Use credentials when required, and avoid exposing RTSP streams to the public internet without protection.