www.acti.com

ACTi Knowledge Base

Category: Design & Spec Note

Sub-category: Streaming & Networking, Preview & Integration.

Model: All Cameras

Firmware: 3.11.13 / 4.06.09

Software: N/A

Published: 2010/06/25 Reviewed: 2010/06/28

1

Different ways to get Video Stream from ACTi Cameras

Contents

Introduction

Flexible Video Stream Design on ACTi Cameras

Solution Matrix Table

Introduction

In IP Surveillance, there are two common methods to get

video stream from IP Camera.

The first of them is through the built in web server in each

IP camera which allows users to access its live view, video

quality adjustment and other settings.

In ACTi we call this interface “Web-Configurator”. An Active X control must be installed in the

Browser (Internet Explorer) in order to manage the live video, digital input or output, PTZ

Controls, and other settings. This interface is mainly used during camera installation, when

some settings like IP Addresses and video quality adjustments are required in that stage.

The second method is to go through the Network Video Recorder (NVR). When we talk about

IP Surveillance System, many groups of cameras may reside in different locations; often the

solution to managing views from multiple channels is through the NVR.

ACTi also offers its own NVR Software, which can manage many cameras at the same time.

Through this NVR, users are able not only to get Live View; they can change the camera

settings, trigger motion detections, do video recording, sending notifications after any event,

etc.

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2

Flexible Video Stream Design on ACTi Cameras

Besides these two common methods mentioned above, video stream from ACTi cameras may

also be accessed in other ways for customers to build up different application scenarios, like

having live preview in iPhone or integrating the video stream into a Website.

ACTi offers three protocols that can be set up in the camera to stream out video and audio.

They are TCP, Multicast and RTP. Each of them has been designed with different purpose in

mind. The detail use is not covered in this article.

Aside from providing multiple choices of streaming methods or protocols, ACTi video stream is

also compatible with many existing platforms. These include a variety of browsers and video

players. They allow for the possibility of acquiring, decoding and displaying the live video on

screen in different ways.

Each Platform contains its own decoder to understand all kind of compressions. Therefore

proper video compression also becomes crucial, as without the right decoder the

compressed video from the camera can’t be displayed properly when generating live view.

Solution Matrix Table

In order to have a clear picture of ACTi offering, a Solution Matrix Table is provided as below

along with the different articles where provides all the details and settings required.

ACM / ACD Series Cameras / Video Servers

Method Software

Camera Settings Detailed

Information

& Settings B2 Frame

Audio

in

Streaming

Method Compression

Active X

Required

Direct Live Video

from Browser

Firefox

Disable Disable TCP MJPEG No Link Safari

Chrome

Embedded Live

Video in

Webpage

Internet

Explorer Any Any Any Any Yes Link

Live Video under

Video Players

VLC

Disable Disable RTP MJPEG /

MPEG4 No Link Quick

Time

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3

TCM / TCD Series Cameras / Video Servers

Method Software

Camera Settings Detailed

Information

& Settings B2Header

Audio

in

Streaming

Method Compression

Active X

Required

Embedded Live

Video in

Webpage

Internet

Explorer Any Any Any Any Yes Link

Live Video under

Video Players

VLC

Disable Disable RTP MJPEG /

MPEG4 No Link Quick

Time

Note:

Direct Video from Browser without installing any Active X under TCM Series Camera will be

available once the newest firmware is released.

Please visit http://www.acti.com for more information and firmware availability.