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How to Connect to Bosch IP Camera in C# .NET

Video Capture SDK .Net Media Blocks SDK .Net

Brand Overview

Bosch Security and Safety Systems (a division of Robert Bosch GmbH) is a German manufacturer of professional and enterprise video surveillance equipment. Headquartered in Grasbrunn near Munich, Bosch produces IP cameras, encoders, recording solutions, and video analytics primarily for critical infrastructure, transportation, and enterprise security markets.

Key facts:

  • Product lines: Dinion (bullet/box), Flexidome (dome), Autodome (PTZ), MIC (ruggedized), NBN/NDN/NTC (legacy network), NWC (compact), VideoJet/VIP (encoders)
  • Protocol support: RTSP, ONVIF (Profile S/G/T), HTTP/CGI, Bosch VMS (BVMS), iSCSI direct recording
  • Default RTSP port: 554
  • Default credentials: Varies by model and firmware version; many require setup via Bosch Configuration Manager
  • ONVIF support: Yes (all current IP cameras)
  • Video codecs: H.264, H.265, MJPEG
  • Unique feature: RTSP tunnel mode for firewall traversal

RTSP URL Patterns

Bosch cameras use several URL patterns depending on the model generation. The most common are the /rtsp_tunnel and /video paths.

Current Models (Bosch CPP series firmware)

Stream RTSP URL Notes
Video stream 1 rtsp://IP:554/video?inst=1 Main stream
Video stream 2 rtsp://IP:554/video?inst=2 Sub stream
RTSP tunnel rtsp://IP:554//rtsp_tunnel Firewall-friendly (note double slash)
H.264 direct rtsp://IP:554/h264 Direct H.264 stream

RTSP tunnel mode

The //rtsp_tunnel URL (with double slash) is Bosch's proprietary RTSP tunneling mode that works better through firewalls and NAT. It encapsulates RTP data within the RTSP TCP connection. Use the standard /video URL for most integrations.

Model-Specific URLs

Model Series RTSP URL Codec Notes
Dinion IP 4000/5000/7000/8000 rtsp://IP:554/video?inst=1 H.264/H.265 Current
Flexidome IP 4000/5000/7000/8000 rtsp://IP:554/video?inst=1 H.264/H.265 Current
Autodome IP 4000/5000/7000 rtsp://IP:554/video?inst=1 H.264/H.265 Current PTZ
MIC IP fusion/starlight/ultra rtsp://IP:554/video?inst=1 H.264/H.265 Ruggedized
NDC-225-PI rtsp://IP:554//rtsp_tunnel H.264 Legacy
NDC-255-P rtsp://IP:554//rtsp_tunnel H.264 Legacy
NDC-265-P rtsp://IP:554/h264 H.264 Legacy
NDN-832v rtsp://IP:554//rtsp_tunnel H.264 Legacy dome
NTC-255-PI rtsp://IP:554/video H.264 Legacy thermal
NTC-265-PI rtsp://IP:554/h264 H.264 Legacy thermal
NTI-50022-V3 rtsp://IP:554/h264 H.264 IP bullet
NWC-0455-20P rtsp://IP:554/h264 H.264 Compact

Encoder URLs

Bosch video encoders (VideoJet, VIP series) allow connecting analog cameras to IP networks:

Encoder RTSP URL Notes
VideoJet 10 rtsp://IP:554/video?inst=1 Single channel
VIP X1 rtsp://IP:554//rtsp_tunnel Single channel
VIP X1600 rtsp://IP:554/video?inst=1 Multi-channel
VIP X2 rtsp://IP:554/video?inst=1 Dual channel

DVR RTSP URLs

DVR Model RTSP URL Notes
DVR 440/480/600 rtsp://IP:554/rtsp_tunnel Single slash
DVR 440/480/600 rtsp://IP:554/video Alternative
DVR (channel) rtsp://IP:554/cgi-bin/rtspStream/CHANNEL Channel-specific
DVR (SDP) rtsp://IP:554/user=USER&password=PASS&channel=1&stream=0.sdp? SDP-based

Connecting with VisioForge SDK

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

// Bosch Dinion/Flexidome, main stream
var uri = new Uri("rtsp://192.168.1.60:554/video?inst=1");
var username = "service";
var password = "YourPassword";

For sub-stream access, use ?inst=2 instead of ?inst=1. For legacy Bosch models, use the RTSP tunnel URL //rtsp_tunnel (note the double slash).

Snapshot and MJPEG URLs

Type URL Pattern Notes
JPEG Snapshot http://IP/snap.jpg Basic snapshot
Snapshot (sized) http://IP/snap.jpg?JpegSize=XL XL, M sizes available
Snapshot (channel) http://IP/snap.jpg?JpegCam=CHANNEL Multi-channel encoders
Snapshot (auth) http://IP/snap.jpg?usr=USER&pwd=PASS URL-based auth
MJPEG Stream http://IP/img/mjpeg.jpg Continuous MJPEG
Image http://IP/img.jpg Single frame
Image (alt) http://IP/image.jpg Alternative path

Troubleshooting

Double slash in rtsp_tunnel URL

The //rtsp_tunnel URL (with double slash before rtsp_tunnel) is intentional for legacy Bosch cameras. This is not a typo:

  • Correct: rtsp://IP:554//rtsp_tunnel
  • Incorrect: rtsp://IP:554/rtsp_tunnel (may work on some models but not all)

Bosch Configuration Manager required

Many Bosch cameras require initial setup through the Bosch Configuration Manager desktop application before RTSP access works. The camera may not respond to RTSP connections until initial configuration is complete.

Default username varies

  • Current models: service user with password set during setup
  • Legacy models: May use admin, user, or service depending on firmware
  • Check the Bosch Configuration Manager or camera's web interface for user settings

inst parameter

The ?inst=1 parameter selects the video stream instance: - inst=1 = First video stream (main) - inst=2 = Second video stream (sub) - Not all models support multiple instances

Encoder channel selection

For multi-channel encoders (VIP X1600, VideoJet X-series), use the inst parameter to select the channel: - rtsp://IP:554/video?inst=1 = Channel 1 - rtsp://IP:554/video?inst=2 = Channel 2

FAQ

What is the default RTSP URL for Bosch cameras?

For current Bosch cameras, the URL is rtsp://service:password@CAMERA_IP:554/video?inst=1. For legacy models, try rtsp://CAMERA_IP:554//rtsp_tunnel or rtsp://CAMERA_IP:554/h264.

What is Bosch RTSP tunnel mode?

RTSP tunnel (//rtsp_tunnel) is Bosch's proprietary mode that encapsulates RTP data within the RTSP TCP connection, making it easier to traverse firewalls. It's the default streaming mode on many legacy Bosch cameras.

Do Bosch cameras support H.265?

Current Bosch IP cameras (CPP13/CPP14 platform, including Dinion/Flexidome 7000/8000 series) support H.265. Legacy cameras support H.264 and MPEG-4. Check your specific model's datasheet for codec support.

Can I use Bosch encoders to connect analog cameras?

Yes. Bosch VideoJet and VIP encoders convert analog camera signals to IP streams accessible via RTSP. Use the same URL format (/video?inst=1 or //rtsp_tunnel) as IP cameras.