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How to Connect to Aqara Camera in C# .NET

Video Capture SDK .Net Media Blocks SDK .Net

Brand Overview

Aqara is a Chinese smart home brand (by Lumi United Technology) that produces Zigbee/Thread-based smart home devices and cameras. Aqara cameras are unique in the market because they double as smart home hubs (Zigbee gateway) while also functioning as security cameras. Aqara primarily integrates with Apple HomeKit and supports RTSP for local streaming.

Key facts:

  • Product lines: Camera Hub G2H/G3 (hub + camera), E1 (camera-only), G4 (doorbell)
  • Protocol support: RTSP, Apple HomeKit Secure Video, Zigbee 3.0 (hub function)
  • Default RTSP port: 554
  • Default credentials: None — RTSP URL includes token
  • ONVIF support: No
  • Video codecs: H.264
  • Unique feature: Cameras serve as Zigbee smart home hubs

RTSP Must Be Enabled in Aqara Home App

Aqara cameras have RTSP support but it must be enabled through the Aqara Home app. The app generates a unique RTSP URL with an authentication token. RTSP access works independently of HomeKit Secure Video.

Enabling RTSP on Aqara Cameras

  1. Open the Aqara Home app on your phone
  2. Select your camera device
  3. Go to Camera Settings (gear icon)
  4. Find RTSP or Network streaming
  5. Enable RTSP
  6. The app will display the full RTSP URL with authentication token
  7. Copy this URL for use in your application

RTSP URL Patterns

Standard URL Format

Aqara cameras use a token-based RTSP URL:

rtsp://[IP]:554/live/ch00_1?token=[AUTH_TOKEN]

The authentication token is generated by the Aqara Home app and is unique per camera.

Camera Models

Model Type RTSP Support Resolution Hub Function
Camera Hub G2H Pro Hub + camera Yes 1920x1080 Zigbee 3.0
Camera Hub G3 Hub + camera Yes 2304x1296 (2K) Zigbee 3.0
Camera E1 Camera only Yes 1920x1080 No
G4 Video Doorbell Doorbell Limited 1600x1200 No

URL Variations

URL Pattern Description
rtsp://IP:554/live/ch00_1?token=TOKEN Main stream (recommended)
rtsp://IP:554/live/ch00_0?token=TOKEN Sub stream (lower resolution)

Connecting with VisioForge SDK

Use your Aqara camera's RTSP URL with any of the three SDK approaches shown in the Quick Start Guide:

// Aqara Camera Hub G3, main stream (token from Aqara Home app)
var uri = new Uri("rtsp://192.168.1.90:554/live/ch00_1?token=YOUR_TOKEN_HERE");
var username = ""; // auth is in the token
var password = "";

Token-Based Authentication

Aqara cameras do not use username/password authentication for RTSP. Instead, the authentication token is embedded in the URL. Leave the username and password fields empty in RTSPSourceSettings.CreateAsync() and include the token in the URI.

Troubleshooting

RTSP URL not working

  1. Verify RTSP is enabled in the Aqara Home app
  2. Check that the token in the URL matches what the app displays
  3. Ensure the camera and your application are on the same network
  4. Try regenerating the RTSP URL in the app (Settings > RTSP > regenerate)

Token expires or changes

The RTSP token may change after:

  • Camera firmware updates
  • Aqara Home app re-pairing
  • Disabling and re-enabling RTSP

If your stream stops working, check the Aqara Home app for an updated URL.

No ONVIF support

Aqara cameras do not support ONVIF. You cannot use ONVIF discovery to find Aqara cameras. The RTSP URL must be obtained from the Aqara Home app.

Limited to H.264

Aqara cameras encode in H.264 only. There is no H.265 option. This ensures broad compatibility but uses more bandwidth than H.265 at equivalent quality.

FAQ

What is the default RTSP URL for Aqara cameras?

Aqara cameras use rtsp://CAMERA_IP:554/live/ch00_1?token=AUTH_TOKEN where the token is generated by the Aqara Home app. There are no default credentials -- authentication is handled via the URL token.

Can I use Aqara cameras with HomeKit and RTSP simultaneously?

Yes. HomeKit Secure Video and RTSP can run at the same time. Enabling RTSP does not disable HomeKit functionality. However, running both streams may slightly reduce camera performance.

Do Aqara cameras work as Zigbee hubs while streaming RTSP?

Yes. The Camera Hub G2H and G3 models serve as both Zigbee 3.0 gateways and cameras simultaneously. Enabling RTSP does not affect the hub functionality.

Do Aqara cameras support ONVIF?

No. Aqara cameras only support RTSP (with token auth) and HomeKit Secure Video. ONVIF discovery is not available.