Secure Raw Streams

Topics included in this article:

• Secure Raw Streams vs RTSP
  • Secure Raw Stream Details
  • RTSP Security Gaps
• Accessing the Secure Raw Stream
• Implementing the Secure Raw Stream
  • VMS
  • Video Player 
• Milestone Configuration
  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Step 3
  • Step 4
  • Step 5
  • Step 6
  • Step 7
  • Step 8
  • Step 9
• Helpful Links
• Contact Support or Sales

Note: This feature can only be utilized while viewing cameras on your Local Area Network (LAN)

Secure Raw Streams vs RTSP

Rhombus's decision to use an alternative to Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) is based on security for both our clients and their information. This method will allow you to stream live video over LAN from Rhombus cameras to a third-party application or device. The method we choose provides an H.264 stream over HTTPS, one of the most reliable and widely used video streaming protocols for online videos.

Secure Raw Stream Details

The Rhombus Secure Raw Streaming feature is a live, stripped-down H.264 stream of the camera feed. Using this stream in an NVR/DVR setup will start downloading the footage to that storage device and, depending on the VMS capabilities, will allow you to view previously downloaded footage as well as real-time footage.

Rhombus recommends having a VLAN set up with DCHP IP reservation just in case the IP address changes after a camera disconnection or reboot. Also, Static IP can be used in place of DCHP.

Note: The stream of the camera will not have any AI analytics, timestamp, or event markers. 

RTSP Security Gaps

Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) does not meet the requirement of Rhombus standards for the reasons below:

• RTSP is not encrypted via the channel or route the stream is coming from.
  • This can cause an individual to packet sniff the network and acquire stream data.
• RTSP violates Rhombus's user privacy and security. 
  • Having RTSP as a default on our Rhombus cameras would not pass our routine third-party security audits.
• RTSP lacks end-to-end encryption.
• Passwords are exposed as plain text in RTSP URLs.

Accessing the Secure Raw Stream

1. To create the Secure Raw Stream, follow the pathway below:

Log in to the Rhombus Console > Devices > Click on a camera of your choice > Scroll down to "More details" in the "Camera Details & Settings" section & click the drop-down > Select the "Secure Raw Streams" button

2. After clicking on the "Secure Raw Streams" button, you will be shown the option to create the stream.

3. After clicking the "Create" button, you will be prompted to provide a name for the stream. 

4. After entering a name and clicking the "Create" button once more, the final window will open. In this window, you can get the link for the stream by clicking the "Copy Link" button, which is the same resolution the camera is currently running. You can also get a low-resolution link by clicking the "Copy Low Res Link" button, which will be 640p resolution.  

Implementing the Secure Raw Stream

Secure Raw Streaming is ideal for customers who want to integrate Rhombus cameras with their existing NVR/DVR system as they gradually deploy Rhombus throughout their organization, enabling a smoother transition process. 

VMS/NVR

Our Secure Raw Streams can be used in video management software and on an NVR/DVR system. This lets customers stream live footage within third-party apps to facilitate powerful and niche analytics. 

Video Player

Below is an example of how to use the video player VLC to play the Secure Raw Stream. 

Milestone Configuration

Milestone has the ability to ingest Rhombus SRS into their VMS, this can be useful for phased deployments or monitoring cameras of different brands on one platform. the steps below will provide information on how to properly set up Milestone for Rhombus Secure Raw Streams:

Step 1:

Navigate to "Add Hardware" and select Manual.

Step 2:

Check the box for admin and leave default password as is and click next.

Step 3:

Click the drop down for "Universal" and select the "Universal 1 channel driver".

Step 4:

input camera IP address, preferred port, DO NOT select "Use HTTPS", input HTTPS port, and finally select the "Universal 1 channel driver".

Step 5:

Assign camera to a group and click finish.

Step 6:

You will now see the camera populated on the server but the image will show "no video" the next steps will dial in the settings to allow the SRS to stream through the VMS.

Step 7:

Navigate to the driver and copy settings below:

Step 8:

Go to the camera in the rhombus console, select the SRS link and copy the URI as seen below and place URI in "Connection URI" in the Milestone settings.

Step 9:

Finally navigate back to the camera and copy below settings, remember the URI is part of the SRS URL and is specific per camera:

Helpful Links

• Introducing A Safer Alternative to RTSP: Secure Raw Streaming
• How to set up in Milestone

Contact Support or Sales

Have more questions? Contact Rhombus Support at +1 (877) 746-6797 option 2 or support@rhombus.com.

Interested in learning more? Contact Rhombus Sales at +1 (877) 746-6797 option 1 or sales@rhombus.com.