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

Video Capture SDK .Net Media Blocks SDK .Net

Brand Overview

Imou (pronounced "ee-moo") is a consumer smart home and security camera brand owned by Dahua Technology. Launched in 2019, Imou targets the consumer and small business market with WiFi cameras, battery cameras, doorbells, and home security kits. Imou cameras use Dahua firmware and RTSP URL patterns.

Key facts:

  • Product lines: Cruiser (outdoor PT), Ranger (indoor PT), Bullet (fixed outdoor), Cell (battery), Versa (versatile), Rex (indoor)
  • Protocol support: RTSP (must be enabled on some models), ONVIF (select models), Imou Life cloud
  • Default RTSP port: 554
  • Default credentials: admin / admin (or admin / imou + serial number suffix)
  • ONVIF support: Yes (most wired models)
  • Video codecs: H.264, H.265 (select models)
  • Parent company: Dahua Technology

Imou = Dahua Consumer Brand

Imou cameras use Dahua firmware and the same cam/realmonitor RTSP URL format as Dahua cameras. See our Dahua connection guide for additional details.

RTSP URL Patterns

Standard URL Format

Imou cameras use the Dahua cam/realmonitor URL pattern:

rtsp://[USERNAME]:[PASSWORD]@[IP]:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0
Parameter Value Description
channel 1 Camera channel (always 1 for standalone cameras)
subtype 0 Main stream (highest resolution)
subtype 1 Sub stream (lower resolution, less bandwidth)

Camera Models

Model Type Main Stream URL Audio
Cruiser SE+ 4MP Outdoor PTZ rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 Yes
Cruiser 2E 4MP Outdoor PTZ rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 Yes
Ranger 2 (IPC-A22EP) Indoor PTZ rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 Yes
Ranger SE 4MP Indoor PTZ rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 Yes
Rex 3D (IPC-GS7EP) Indoor PTZ rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 Yes
Bullet 2E (IPC-F22FP) Outdoor fixed rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 Yes
Bullet 2S (IPC-F26FP) Outdoor fixed rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 Yes
Versa 4MP Indoor/outdoor rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 Yes
Cell 2 Battery outdoor Limited — see note Yes
Cell Go Battery mini No RTSP No

Battery Models

Imou battery-powered cameras (Cell series) have limited or no RTSP support. The Cell 2 may support RTSP when connected to the Imou Base Station, but the Cell Go and other battery mini cameras are cloud-only devices.

Alternative URL Formats

URL Pattern Notes
rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 Standard (recommended)
rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0&unicast=true Force unicast
rtsp://IP:554/live Simple path (some models)

Connecting with VisioForge SDK

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

// Imou Cruiser SE+ 4MP, main stream
var uri = new Uri("rtsp://192.168.1.90:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0");
var username = "admin";
var password = "YourPassword";

For sub-stream access, use subtype=1 instead of subtype=0.

Snapshot and MJPEG URLs

Type URL Pattern Notes
JPEG Snapshot http://IP/cgi-bin/snapshot.cgi?channel=1 Requires basic auth
MJPEG Stream http://IP/cgi-bin/mjpg/video.cgi?channel=1&subtype=1 Continuous MJPEG

Troubleshooting

RTSP not accessible

Some Imou cameras require RTSP to be enabled through the Imou Life app:

  1. Open Imou Life app → select your camera
  2. Go to Settings > Advanced Settings > RTSP
  3. Enable RTSP and note the password (may differ from app password)

Default credentials

Imou password defaults vary by model and firmware:

  • admin / admin (common on older models)
  • admin / specific code (check camera label)
  • Custom password set during Imou Life app setup

If RTSP login fails, check the RTSP password in the Imou Life app settings.

WiFi camera IP address

Imou WiFi cameras get their IP from your router via DHCP. Find the camera's local IP in:

  1. The Imou Life app → Device Info
  2. Your router's DHCP client list
  3. ONVIF discovery (if supported)

Dahua web interface

Some Imou cameras expose the Dahua web interface at http://CAMERA_IP. This provides additional configuration options beyond the Imou Life app, including RTSP settings, video encoding, and network configuration.

FAQ

What is the default RTSP URL for Imou cameras?

The standard URL is rtsp://admin:password@CAMERA_IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 for the main stream. This is the same format as Dahua cameras. RTSP may need to be enabled in the Imou Life app first.

Is Imou the same as Dahua?

Imou is a consumer brand owned by Dahua Technology. Imou cameras use Dahua firmware and the same RTSP URL format (cam/realmonitor). The main differences are branding, consumer-focused features, and cloud service integration.

Can I use Imou cameras without the cloud?

Partially. You can access RTSP streams locally without the Imou cloud for live viewing and recording. However, initial camera setup requires the Imou Life app. Cloud-dependent features like smart alerts, cloud storage, and remote access require an Imou subscription.

Do Imou cameras support ONVIF?

Most wired and WiFi-connected Imou cameras support ONVIF. Battery-powered models generally do not. Check your camera's specifications in the Imou Life app.