Troubleshooting using VLC for Olarm Video

Troubleshooting using VLC for Olarm Video

If you're having trouble adding your camera system to the Olarm APP, using VLC Media Player is a reliable way to troubleshoot the problem. VLC allows you to test the RTSP stream directly from your camera, helping you identify issues with stream accessibility, credentials, compression settings, or encryption - before completing the setup in the app.

You can download VLC Media Player here:

AlertImportant: Make sure the PC or mobile device running VLC is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Olarm MAX and the camera system during testing.

Troubleshooting Steps:

  • Open VLC Media Player on your device.

  • In the menu, select Media > Open Network Stream.

  • Construct the RTSP Stream URL using your camera's details:

    Notesrtsp://<IP address>:<RTSP port>/<stream path> 
    Example: rtsp://192.168.1.100:554/Streaming/Channels/102

  • Click Play or Enter.

  • When prompted, enter the camera system’s username and password.


What to Look For

  • If the stream fails to load:

    • Double-check the IP address, port, stream path, and credentials.

    • Ensure the camera is powered on and connected to the network.

    • If it still fails, the issue is likely with the camera configuration or network setup. Contact a technician or the camera manufacturer.

  • If the stream loads successfully:

    • Go to Tools > Codec Information in VLC.

    • Check for the following:

      • H264 should be listed as the video codec.

        Olarm MAX only supports H264. If a different codec is used (like H265), update your camera settings.

      • If the screen shows green, grey, or corrupted output:

        • Encryption may be enabled on the stream. Disable encryption in the camera settings.

      • If the image is blurry, laggy, or low quality:

        • The stream may be too heavy or unstable. Adjust the resolution or bitrate in the camera settings before attempting to add it to the Olarm APP.



Extra Tips

  • Most common RTSP ports are 554 or 8554. Check your camera's documentation for accuracy.

  • If your camera has multiple channels or streams, try switching between them (e.g., 101, 102, 201).

  • Ensure H264 is selected as the video encoding method in the camera's configuration interface.

  • If you're unsure of your stream path, consult your camera brand’s RTSP URL format documentation (e.g., Hikvision, Dahua, Provision).