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

Video Capture SDK .Net Media Blocks SDK .Net

Brand Overview

GeoVision (GeoVision Inc.) is a Taiwanese manufacturer of IP cameras, network video recorders, and video management software, headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. GeoVision is a well-established brand in the enterprise and professional surveillance market, known for their GV-series IP cameras and the GeoVision VMS platform.

Key facts:

  • Product lines: GV-BL (bullet), GV-FD (fixed dome), GV-VD (vandal dome), GV-FE (fisheye), GV-CB (cube), GV-CA (camera), GV-DVR (digital video recorder), GV-NVR
  • Protocol support: RTSP, ONVIF, PSIA, HTTP/CGI
  • Default RTSP port: 8554 (IP cameras), 554 (DVR/Server)
  • Default credentials: admin / admin
  • ONVIF support: Yes (current models)
  • Video codecs: H.264, H.265 (current models), MPEG-4 (legacy)

Non-standard RTSP port

GeoVision IP cameras use port 8554 by default, not the standard 554. Make sure to specify the correct port when constructing your RTSP URL. GeoVision DVR/Server software uses the standard port 554.

RTSP URL Patterns

IP Camera Standard Format

GeoVision IP cameras use a channel-based SDP URL pattern on port 8554:

rtsp://[USERNAME]:[PASSWORD]@[IP]:8554//CH001.sdp
Parameter Value Description
Port 8554 Default for GeoVision IP cameras
CH001 CH001, CH002... Channel number (zero-padded 3 digits)
.sdp Required SDP session descriptor suffix

Double slash

Some GeoVision models require a double slash (//) before the channel identifier. If a single slash does not work, try //CH001.sdp.

IP Camera Streams

Stream URL Notes
Main stream rtsp://IP:8554//CH001.sdp Full resolution, port 8554
Sub stream rtsp://IP:8554//CH002.sdp Lower resolution

DVR / GeoVision Server

GeoVision DVR and GV-Server software use port 554:

rtsp://[USERNAME]:[PASSWORD]@[IP]:554/CH001.sdp
Channel Main Stream URL Notes
Channel 1 rtsp://IP:554/CH001.sdp Port 554 on DVR/Server
Channel 2 rtsp://IP:554/CH002.sdp Port 554 on DVR/Server
Channel N rtsp://IP:554/CH00N.sdp Zero-pad to 3 digits

PSIA Streaming

GeoVision also supports PSIA-compatible RTSP URLs:

rtsp://[USERNAME]:[PASSWORD]@[IP]:554/PSIA/Streaming/channels/1?videoCodecType=MPEG4

URL Summary Table

Device Type Main Stream URL Default Port Notes
GV-BL (bullet) rtsp://IP:8554//CH001.sdp 8554 Standard IP camera
GV-FD (fixed dome) rtsp://IP:8554//CH001.sdp 8554 Standard IP camera
GV-VD (vandal dome) rtsp://IP:8554//CH001.sdp 8554 Standard IP camera
GV-FE (fisheye) rtsp://IP:8554//CH001.sdp 8554 Standard IP camera
GV-CB (cube) rtsp://IP:8554//CH001.sdp 8554 Standard IP camera
GV-DVR rtsp://IP:554/CH001.sdp 554 DVR software
GV-NVR rtsp://IP:554/CH001.sdp 554 NVR software
PSIA stream rtsp://IP:554/PSIA/Streaming/channels/1 554 PSIA compatible

Connecting with VisioForge SDK

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

// GeoVision GV-BL2702, main stream (note port 8554)
var uri = new Uri("rtsp://192.168.1.90:8554//CH001.sdp");
var username = "admin";
var password = "YourPassword";

For sub-stream access, use CH002.sdp instead of CH001.sdp.

Snapshot and MJPEG URLs

Type URL Pattern Notes
JPEG Snapshot http://IP/cgi-bin/snapshot.cgi Requires basic auth
JPEG Snapshot (alt) http://IP/GetImage.cgi Some models
JPEG Snapshot (alt) http://IP/cgi-bin/getimage Some models
JPEG Snapshot (viewer) http://IP/cgi-bin/viewer/video.jpg Web viewer interface
Static image (alt) http://IP/cgi-bin/jpg/image.cgi Some models
Legacy snapshot http://IP/cam1.jpg Firmware 6.0-8.x, channel 1
Legacy snapshot (ch N) http://IP/camN.jpg Firmware 6.0-8.x, channel N

Troubleshooting

Wrong port — 554 vs 8554

The most common connection issue with GeoVision cameras is using the wrong port:

  • IP cameras (GV-BL, GV-FD, GV-VD, GV-FE, GV-CB): Use port 8554
  • DVR / GV-Server software: Use port 554

If you get a connection timeout, check that you are using the correct port for your device type.

Double slash in URL path

Some GeoVision IP camera models require a double slash before the channel identifier (//CH001.sdp). If a single slash (/CH001.sdp) returns an error, add the extra slash.

Channel numbering format

GeoVision uses zero-padded three-digit channel numbers: CH001, CH002, CH003, etc. Using CH1 instead of CH001 will not work.

Firmware version differences

Older GeoVision firmware versions (6.x-8.x) may use different snapshot URL formats. If the CGI-based snapshot URL does not work, try the legacy format (http://IP/cam1.jpg).

FAQ

What port does GeoVision use for RTSP?

GeoVision IP cameras use port 8554 by default, which differs from the industry-standard port 554. GeoVision DVR and GV-Server software use the standard port 554.

What is the default RTSP URL for GeoVision IP cameras?

The URL is rtsp://admin:password@CAMERA_IP:8554//CH001.sdp for the main stream. Use CH002.sdp for the sub stream. Note the double slash before CH001 and port 8554.

Do GeoVision cameras support ONVIF?

Yes. All current GeoVision IP camera models support ONVIF Profile S. ONVIF discovery can be used as an alternative to manual RTSP URL configuration.

Can I connect to a GeoVision DVR and IP camera at the same time?

Yes. Connect to the DVR on port 554 and individual IP cameras on port 8554. Each device has its own IP address and RTSP endpoint.