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

Video Capture SDK .Net Media Blocks SDK .Net

Brand Overview

Lorex Technology (a subsidiary of Dahua Technology through FLIR/Lorex) is a major consumer and prosumer security camera brand in North America. Lorex cameras are primarily manufactured by Dahua Technology and sold under the Lorex brand through retail channels including Amazon, Costco, and Best Buy. Lorex is one of the top-selling security camera brands in the United States and Canada.

Key facts:

  • Product lines: LNB (bullet IP), LNE (dome/turret IP), LNZ (PTZ IP), LNC (consumer Wi-Fi), IPSC (legacy), L-series (legacy)
  • Protocol support: RTSP, ONVIF, HTTP/CGI
  • Default RTSP port: 554
  • Default credentials: admin / (set during NVR/camera setup); some older models: admin / admin
  • ONVIF support: Yes (most current models)
  • Video codecs: H.264, H.265 (newer models)
  • OEM base: Dahua Technology (some models use Hikvision firmware)

Lorex uses multiple OEM sources

Most Lorex IP cameras are manufactured by Dahua and use Dahua's RTSP URL format. However, some Lorex models (particularly LNB2153 and MCNB2153) use Hikvision-based firmware with /Streaming/Channels/ URLs. Check both URL formats if one doesn't work.

RTSP URL Patterns

Dahua-Based Models (Most Lorex IP Cameras)

Most Lorex IP cameras use Dahua's URL format:

Stream RTSP URL Notes
Main stream rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 Full resolution
Sub stream rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1 Lower resolution

Hikvision-Based Models

Some Lorex models use Hikvision firmware:

Stream RTSP URL Notes
Main stream rtsp://IP:554//Streaming/Channels/1 Full resolution (note double slash)
Sub stream rtsp://IP:554//Streaming/Channels/2 Lower resolution
H.264 direct rtsp://IP:554/ch0_0.h264 Direct H.264 stream

Model-Specific URLs

Model RTSP URL OEM Base Notes
LNB2153 rtsp://IP:554//Streaming/Channels/1 Hikvision 1080p bullet
LNB2184 rtsp://IP:554/video.mp4 Dahua 4MP bullet
LNE1001 rtsp://IP:554/ Dahua 1080p dome
LNE3003 rtsp://IP:554/video.mp4 Dahua 2K dome
LNZ4001 rtsp://IP:554/video.mp4 Dahua PTZ
MCNB2153 rtsp://IP:554//Streaming/Channels/1 Hikvision 1080p bullet

Alternative URL Formats

Some Lorex cameras also respond to these URLs:

URL Pattern Notes
rtsp://IP:554/ Root path (some models)
rtsp://IP:554/video.mp4 Video stream
rtsp://IP:554/ch0_0.h264 Direct H.264

Legacy Models

Model URL Notes
IPSC Series rtsp://IP:554/ Legacy IP cameras
L23WD rtsp://IP:554/ Legacy wireless
IP1240 http://IP/GetData.cgi HTTP only
LNC104/116/204 http://IP/snapshot.jpg?user=USER&pwd=PASS Wi-Fi cameras, HTTP only

Connecting with VisioForge SDK

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

Dahua-Based Models (Most Lorex Cameras)

// Lorex camera (Dahua-based), main stream
var uri = new Uri("rtsp://192.168.1.65:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0");
var username = "admin";
var password = "YourPassword";

Hikvision-Based Lorex Models

// Lorex LNB2153 (Hikvision-based), main stream
var uri = new Uri("rtsp://192.168.1.65:554//Streaming/Channels/1");
var username = "admin";
var password = "YourPassword";

See the OEM identification guide in Troubleshooting to determine which URL format your Lorex camera uses.

Snapshot URLs

Type URL Pattern Notes
JPEG Snapshot http://IP/jpg/image.jpg Most Lorex IP cameras
Snapshot (auth) http://IP/snapshot.jpg?user=USER&pwd=PASS Consumer Wi-Fi cameras
Snapshot (account) http://IP/snapshot.jpg?account=USER&password=PASS Alternative auth
GetData http://IP/GetData.cgi Legacy models
MJPEG Stream http://IP/video.mjpg Continuous MJPEG

Troubleshooting

Determine your OEM base

Lorex cameras use firmware from different manufacturers. To determine which URL format to use:

  1. Try the Dahua format first: rtsp://IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0
  2. If that fails, try the Hikvision format: rtsp://IP:554//Streaming/Channels/1
  3. Check the camera's web interface -- Dahua-based cameras have a blue/white web UI, while Hikvision-based ones have a dark gray/black UI

NVR vs direct camera access

  • When connecting through a Lorex NVR, use channel=N in the Dahua URL format to select the camera
  • When connecting directly to an IP camera, always use channel=1

Lorex consumer Wi-Fi cameras (LNC series)

The LNC series (LNC104, LNC116, LNC204) are consumer Wi-Fi cameras that typically don't support RTSP. They provide HTTP snapshot URLs only and are primarily designed for use with the Lorex app.

Port 9000

Some very old Lorex cameras used port 9000 for streaming instead of 554. If standard port 554 doesn't work on an older model, try: rtsp://IP:9000/

FAQ

Are Lorex cameras the same as Dahua?

Most Lorex IP cameras are manufactured by Dahua and use identical firmware. The RTSP URL format (cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0) is the same. However, some Lorex models use Hikvision firmware. See our Dahua connection guide for additional details.

What is the default RTSP URL for Lorex cameras?

Try rtsp://admin:password@CAMERA_IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 first (Dahua-based). If that fails, try rtsp://admin:password@CAMERA_IP:554//Streaming/Channels/1 (Hikvision-based).

Can I use Lorex cameras without the Lorex NVR?

Yes. Lorex IP cameras with RTSP support can be connected directly using their individual IP addresses. You don't need the Lorex NVR for third-party software integration.

Do Lorex cameras support ONVIF?

Most current Lorex IP cameras support ONVIF. Consumer Wi-Fi cameras (LNC series) generally do not.