Connect a Hikvision camera over RTMP (no port forwarding)

With RTMP your Hikvision camera connects to our server by itself — nothing to change on your router. The general explanation is here: Connect a camera without port forwarding.

1. Get the server and key

In the dashboard: Cameras → Add camera → choose RTMP → Save. Copy the Full URL (or the Server and Stream key separately). The key is shown only once.

2. Set up the video stream

Open the camera's web interface in a browser and go to Configuration → Video/Audio → Video, Stream Type: Sub Stream.

• Codec: H.264 (not H.265)
• Resolution: 1280×720
• Bitrate: 1024–1536 Kbps
• Frame rate: 15–25
• I-frame interval: frame rate × 2 (e.g. 25 → 50)
• H.264+ / H.265+: off

Save.

3. Turn on RTMP

Go to Configuration → Network → Advanced Settings → RTMP (on some firmware: Network → RTMP).

Tick Enable, choose Sub Stream as Stream Type, and paste the Full URL into Server Address / URL. If there is a separate key field, paste the server and the key separately.

Save. Within a few seconds the camera shows Online in the dashboard.

Not every Hikvision model has RTMP — mostly newer cameras and firmware. If you can't find it, update the firmware or connect over RTSP.

If it doesn't connect

• Check the URL and key were pasted in full, with no extra spaces.
• Make sure the camera has internet access (correct Gateway and DNS in its network settings).
• If you created a new key, the old one no longer works — enter the new one.
• Menu names differ slightly between firmware versions.