Dahua cameras
with LookoutNVR.
Field-proven on Amcrest cameras, which run Dahua firmware. Dahua-branded cameras use the same stream paths and API.
Stream addresses
Lookout reads these from the camera itself over ONVIF. Type one in only when ONVIF is off. Put the camera's user name, password and address in place of user, password and camera-address.
Dahua
| Main stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 |
|---|---|
| Second stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1 |
| Third stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=2 |
| RTSP port | 554 |
| ONVIF | Switch it on in the camera's settings |
| DVR and NVR channels | /cam/realmonitor?channel=<N>&subtype=<0|1|2> |
Basic and digest auth. The password cannot contain '#'. ONVIF may be off by default; newer firmware has a separate ONVIF user.
Amcrest
| Main stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 |
|---|---|
| Second stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1 |
| RTSP port | 554 |
| ONVIF | Lookout tries it first, then the RTSP address |
| DVR and NVR channels | /cam/realmonitor?channel=<N>&subtype=<0|1> |
Some Amcrest NVRs use /h264Preview_<NN>_main and _sub.
Lorex
| Main stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 |
|---|---|
| Second stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1 |
| RTSP port | 554 |
| ONVIF | Lookout tries it first, then the RTSP address |
| DVR and NVR channels | /cam/realmonitor?channel=<N>&subtype=<0|1>, or /ch<NN>/<0|1|2> on LNK7000X-style lines |
RTSP works on certain models only. Some lines use /ch<NN>/<0|1|2> (0 main, 1 sub).
EmpireTech
| Main stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 |
|---|---|
| Second stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1 |
| Third stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=2 |
| RTSP port | 554 |
| ONVIF | Lookout tries it first, then the RTSP address |
| DVR and NVR channels | /cam/realmonitor?channel=<N>&subtype=<0|1|2> |
Relabelled Dahua hardware.
Imou
| Main stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 |
|---|---|
| Second stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1 |
| RTSP port | 554 |
| ONVIF | Lookout tries it first, then the RTSP address |
The password is the Safety Code on the label or the device password from the app. Battery models often have no RTSP.
IC Realtime
| Main stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 |
|---|---|
| Second stream | rtsp://user:password@camera-address/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1 |
| RTSP port | 554 |
| ONVIF | On |
| DVR and NVR channels | /cam/realmonitor?channel=<N>&subtype=<0|1> |
Cameras always use channel=1.
Before you add it
- RTSP is on by default. Main stream is /cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 and sub-stream subtype=1.
- Keep at least one sub-stream in H.264.
- For camera events, set the authentication mode to Compatible, not Safety, and leave MD5 on. Otherwise the event API answers with HTTP 500.
- Amcrest documents adding a separate ONVIF user. Make one if you add the camera through ONVIF.
- Amcrest Helix (HLX-) cameras are a different platform with their own stream path (/snl/live/1/1). Add them as ONVIF or RTSP cameras.
- Repeated wrong passwords lock the account or your IP, for 5 minutes on some firmware and 30 minutes on others.
- Switch on RTSP or ONVIF in the camera's settings if it ships with them off, and make a user for Lookout.
- Set the second stream to about 640 pixels wide in H.264. Lookout records the main stream and watches the second one.
- Give the camera a fixed address and turn on NTP, so its clock is right.
The camera setup guide has the rest.
What works
| Feature | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Live view and recording | Field-proven | Proven on Amcrest, which runs Dahua firmware. Dahua-branded and Lorex cameras use the same stream paths. |
| Import from the brand's DVR or NVR, analog cameras included | Beta | Reads the channel list from a Dahua-family DVR or NVR, analog channels included. |
| Camera-side AI events (person, vehicle) | Beta | Dahua event stream: SmartMotionHuman, SmartMotionVehicle, tripwire and intrusion. |
| Doorbell button presses | Beta | Amcrest AD410 and AD110 button presses. The AD110 cannot record continuously. |
| Licence plates from plate cameras | Beta | Plate reads from Dahua-family ANPR cameras. |
| Thermal alarms | Beta | Temperature and fire alarms from Dahua-family thermal models. |
| Siren and light outputs | Beta | Alarm outputs (relays), which switch a strobe, siren or light wired to them. |
| PTZ control | Not yet | PTZ cameras are detected and recorded. Pan, tilt and zoom from Lookout are not built yet. |
| Two-way audio | Not yet |
Running at our sites: Amcrest IP5M-T1179E at a home, Amcrest IP5M-T1179EB-AI-V3 at a home, Amcrest IP5M-T1277EB-AI at a home and Amcrest IP8M-T2599E at a home.
Same firmware
These run the same firmware and use the same addresses: Amcrest, Lorex, EmpireTech, Imou, IC Realtime.
Where this comes from
Dahua: the maker's documentation.
Amcrest: the maker's documentation, not yet checked against the full cam.
Lorex: the maker's documentation.
EmpireTech: reports from users, not yet checked against the full cam.
Imou: reports from users, not yet checked against the full cam.
IC Realtime: the maker's documentation.
Field-proven means it runs on one of our recorders at a real site today. Supported means it works through ONVIF or RTSP. Brand names belong to their owners.
Something wrong?
Makers, installers and owners: if a model changed or an address is wrong, send a correction and we update this page.
Trouble adding a Dahua camera? Support is included, and we work it through with you.