# RTSP Server Block - VisioForge Media Blocks SDK .Net

Media Blocks SDK .Net

The RTSP Server block creates an RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) server endpoint for streaming audio/video content over networks. Clients can connect to receive live or recorded media streams with low latency.

# Overview

The RTSPServerBlock provides a complete RTSP streaming server implementation with the following capabilities:

  • Multiple Client Support: Handles simultaneous connections from multiple RTSP clients
  • Standard Compliance: Compatible with VLC, FFmpeg, GStreamer, and IP camera viewers
  • Video Codecs: H.264, H.265, and other compressed formats
  • Audio Codecs: AAC, MP3, Opus, and other formats
  • Transport Protocols: RTP/RTCP for reliable media delivery
  • Authentication: Optional RTSP authentication support
  • Configurable: Custom port binding and mount points
  • Low Latency: Optimized for real-time streaming applications

# Block Info

Name: RTSPServerBlock.

Pin direction Media type Pins count
Input video compressed video (H.264, H.265) 1
Input audio compressed audio (AAC, MP3, etc.) 1

# The Sample Pipeline 

graph LR;
    SystemVideoSourceBlock-->H264EncoderBlock;
    SystemAudioSourceBlock-->AACEncoderBlock;
    H264EncoderBlock-->RTSPServerBlock;
    AACEncoderBlock-->RTSPServerBlock;

# Settings

The RTSPServerBlock is configured using RTSPServerSettings:

# RTSPServerSettings Properties

  • Port (int): The TCP port for the RTSP server (default: 8554)
  • MountPoint (string): The URL path for the stream (e.g., "/stream1")
  • Username (string): Optional username for authentication
  • Password (string): Optional password for authentication
  • Multicast (bool): Enable multicast streaming
  • MulticastAddress (string): Multicast group address
  • TTL (int): Time-to-live for multicast packets

# Sample Code

# Basic RTSP Server 

var pipeline = new MediaBlocksPipeline();

// Create video source
var videoDevice = (await DeviceEnumerator.Shared.VideoSourcesAsync())[0];
var videoFormat = videoDevice.VideoFormats[0];
var videoSettings = new VideoCaptureDeviceSourceSettings(videoDevice)
{
    Format = videoFormat.ToFormat()
};
var videoSource = new SystemVideoSourceBlock(videoSettings);

// Create audio source
var audioDevice = (await DeviceEnumerator.Shared.AudioSourcesAsync())[0];
var audioFormat = audioDevice.Formats[0];
var audioSettings = audioDevice.CreateSourceSettings(audioFormat.ToFormat());
var audioSource = new SystemAudioSourceBlock(audioSettings);

// Create video encoder
var h264Settings = new H264EncoderSettings
{
    Bitrate = 2000,
    Profile = H264Profile.Main
};
var h264Encoder = new H264EncoderBlock(h264Settings);
pipeline.Connect(videoSource.Output, h264Encoder.Input);

// Create audio encoder
var aacSettings = new AACEncoderSettings
{
    Bitrate = 128
};
var aacEncoder = new AACEncoderBlock(aacSettings);
pipeline.Connect(audioSource.Output, aacEncoder.Input);

// Create RTSP server
var rtspSettings = new RTSPServerSettings
{
    Port = 8554,
    MountPoint = "/live"
};
var rtspServer = new RTSPServerBlock(rtspSettings);
pipeline.Connect(h264Encoder.Output, rtspServer.VideoInput);
pipeline.Connect(aacEncoder.Output, rtspServer.AudioInput);

// Start streaming
await pipeline.StartAsync();

// Server is now accessible at rtsp://localhost:8554/live
Console.WriteLine("RTSP server started at rtsp://localhost:8554/live");
Console.WriteLine("Connect with: vlc rtsp://localhost:8554/live");

# RTSP Server with Authentication 

var rtspSettings = new RTSPServerSettings
{
    Port = 8554,
    MountPoint = "/secure",
    Username = "admin",
    Password = "password123"
};
var rtspServer = new RTSPServerBlock(rtspSettings);

// Configure encoders and connect as above
// ...

await pipeline.StartAsync();

// Clients must authenticate: rtsp://admin:password123@localhost:8554/secure
Console.WriteLine("Secure RTSP server started at rtsp://localhost:8554/secure");

# File Streaming over RTSP 

var pipeline = new MediaBlocksPipeline();

// Use file as source
var fileSettings = await UniversalSourceSettings.CreateAsync(new Uri("video.mp4"));
var fileSource = new UniversalSourceBlock(fileSettings);

// Create RTSP server
var rtspSettings = new RTSPServerSettings
{
    Port = 8554,
    MountPoint = "/vod"
};
var rtspServer = new RTSPServerBlock(rtspSettings);

// Connect video and audio from file
pipeline.Connect(fileSource.VideoOutput, rtspServer.VideoInput);
pipeline.Connect(fileSource.AudioOutput, rtspServer.AudioInput);

await pipeline.StartAsync();

// Stream file content via RTSP
Console.WriteLine("Video-on-Demand RTSP server started at rtsp://localhost:8554/vod");

# Client Connection

Clients can connect to the RTSP server using the URL format:

rtsp://hostname:port/mountpoint

Examples:

  • rtsp://localhost:8554/live
  • rtsp://192.168.1.100:8554/stream1
  • rtsp://username:password@server.com:8554/secure

# VLC Player 

vlc rtsp://localhost:8554/live

# FFmpeg 

ffplay rtsp://localhost:8554/live
ffmpeg -i rtsp://localhost:8554/live -c copy output.mp4

# GStreamer 

gst-launch-1.0 rtspsrc location=rtsp://localhost:8554/live ! decodebin ! autovideosink

# Use Cases

  • Live Streaming: Broadcast live camera feeds over networks
  • Security Systems: Stream surveillance cameras to monitoring stations
  • Video Distribution: Distribute media content to multiple clients
  • Remote Monitoring: Enable remote viewing of industrial processes
  • Broadcasting: Create low-latency streaming solutions
  • Video Conferencing: Stream participant feeds to viewers
  • IoT Cameras: Provide RTSP endpoint for smart camera devices

# Performance Considerations

  • Encoding: Video/audio must be encoded before streaming
  • Bandwidth: Monitor network bandwidth for multiple clients
  • Latency: Optimize encoder settings for low-latency requirements
  • Clients: Each client consumes server resources and bandwidth
  • Port: Ensure firewall allows traffic on the configured port
  • Multicast: Use for efficient one-to-many streaming on local networks

# Remarks

  • Video and audio streams should be compressed/encoded before feeding to RTSP server
  • The server supports H.264/H.265 for video and AAC/MP3/Opus for audio
  • Port 8554 is the standard RTSP port but can be changed
  • Mount point defines the URL path for accessing the stream
  • Server continues streaming as long as the pipeline is running
  • Multiple RTSPServerBlock instances can run on different ports simultaneously
  • Use authentication for secure streaming environments

# Platforms

Windows, macOS, Linux.

Note: Requires GStreamer with RTSP server support (gst-rtsp-server plugin).

# Sample Applications

# Related Blocks