How to use 4KEye
This guide takes you from a fresh install to a live picture, with exact steps for every camera brand in the app's brand list.
Menu names can differ between firmware versions. If a menu is missing, look for the same setting in the device's web page or manual.
Before you start
- Your phone and the camera (or recorder) must be on the same Wi-Fi or network. For access from outside your home see "Remote access".
- The camera must be powered on and have an IP address. Your router's device list or the camera's own app shows it.
- Have the camera's username and password ready. A new camera usually asks you to set a password the first time.
- The camera must offer RTSP (a video stream). Most do. A few need it switched on first, see your brand below.
Add a camera in 5 steps
- Open 4KEye and tap "Find cameras on this network" (or "Add camera" to type the address yourself).
- Pick your device from the list. Its address, name and brand template fill in automatically. If nothing is found, enter the IP address by hand.
- Type the camera's password. The username is "admin" unless you changed it (open "Advanced" to change it, the port or the channel).
- Check "Brand / URL template". The right choice for your brand is in the brand guides below.
- Tap "Test connection". When it says the connection works, tap "Save". Your camera appears on the home screen.
Finding cameras automatically
"Find cameras on this network" runs two searches at once: ONVIF (used by most IP cameras) and a search for XM-series recorders. It only talks to devices on your own network. On iPhone, allow "Local Network" when asked.
Scanning the QR code
Tap "Scan QR code" and point the camera at the QR code on your recorder or camera. 4KEye compares its serial number with the devices on your network and fills in the right one. The phone must be on the same Wi-Fi. If nothing matches you can still pick a device from the list. The code is only read on your phone.
Brand guides
Choose the template named like your camera under "Brand / URL template". The stream address is what 4KEye builds for you, you never have to type it.
XM-series DVR/NVR, style 1
DVR/NVR style 1 (user=…&password=…)554adminrtsp://IP:554/user=admin&password=PASSWORD&channel=1&stream=0.sdp?rtsp://IP:554/user=admin&password=PASSWORD&channel=1&stream=1.sdp?- Used by many XM-series recorders and the cameras attached to them. Pick this first for a DVR or NVR.
- The channel is the camera number on the recorder: 1 for the first camera, 2 for the second and so on. The password is often empty on a new recorder.
- If the picture does not open, try style 2. Both styles are for RTSP on the local network.
XM-series, style 2
DVR/NVR style 2 (/1)554adminrtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/1- A shorter address that some XM-series cameras and recorders use. Use it when style 1 does not connect.
- The user name and password go in front of the address. 4KEye encodes special characters for you.
- The channel number is the last part of the address (/1, /2 and so on).
Hikvision
Hikvision554adminrtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/Streaming/Channels/101rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/Streaming/Channels/102- A new Hikvision device must be activated first, with the Hik-Connect app, the SADP tool or the device's web page. That is where you set the admin password.
- RTSP is on by default. If the connection is refused or asks for a password again, open the device's web page and look under Network, Advanced, Integration Protocol for "RTSP authentication" and set it to digest/basic.
- On an NVR the channel is the camera number: camera 1 uses 101/102, camera 2 uses 201/202. 4KEye builds this from the Channel field under "Advanced".
Dahua / Amcrest
Dahua / Amcrest554adminrtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1- Also used by many rebranded cameras. Set the admin password during the first setup.
- RTSP is on by default on port 554. If the connection is refused, check that RTSP is enabled in the device's web page under the network settings.
- The channel is the camera number on the recorder, starting at 1. Main stream is subtype 0, sub stream is subtype 1.
Reolink
Reolink554adminrtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/h264Preview_01_mainrtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/h264Preview_01_sub- Many Reolink cameras ship with RTSP switched off. In the Reolink app or client open the device's network settings, find Advanced, Server Settings and switch on RTSP (and ONVIF).
- Battery-powered Reolink models do not offer RTSP, so they cannot be added.
- The "01" in the address is the channel (01 for a camera, 01 to 16 on a recorder). The main stream may use H.265. If the picture stays blank, try the sub stream.
TP-Link Tapo
TP-Link Tapo554rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/stream1rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/stream2- In the Tapo app open the camera, then Settings, Advanced Settings, Camera Account, and create a username and password. This is separate from your TP-Link login.
- Use that camera account in 4KEye, not your TP-Link login. The camera must be on the same Wi-Fi as your phone.
- stream1 is the high-quality stream, stream2 the lighter one. Choose "Sub stream" in full screen to use stream2.
Generic
Generic (/)554rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/- For cameras that answer on the plain address with no path. Try it when your brand is not listed.
- If it does not work, look for the RTSP address in the camera's manual or web page and use "Custom path".
- "Test connection" tells you whether the problem is the password, the port or the path.
Custom path
Custom path554rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/YOUR-PATH- Choose this when your camera's manual lists an RTSP address that none of the templates match.
- Type only the part after the port, for example /live/ch0. 4KEye adds the address, the port and the login.
- Many cameras also support ONVIF, so "Find cameras on this network" can often find them without any path.
Using the app
Home grid
Cameras appear in a grid. Use the grid button at the top to choose how many show per page and swipe sideways for more.
Full screen
Tap a camera to open it full screen. Switch between "Main stream" (sharpest) and "Sub stream" (lighter, better with many cameras or a weak connection).
Snapshots
Tap "Snapshot" in full screen to save the current picture to your photo library.
Demo camera
No camera at hand? Add the "Demo camera" to see how the app looks.
Settings
Change the language, open the privacy policy and delete cameras in "Settings".
Troubleshooting
"Test connection" shows one of these results:
- Wrong username or password
- Re-type the password. Use the camera account, not your cloud login (Tapo). Reset the device if you forgot it.
- Port closed
- Nothing answers on that port. Check the IP address and the RTSP port (usually 554) and that RTSP is switched on.
- Timeout
- The camera does not answer. Check that it is on, that the phone is on the same network and that the IP address has not changed.
- Wrong stream path
- The camera answered, but not for that address. Try another template or use "Custom path".
- Address not found
- Check the address for typing mistakes. Use the IP address instead of a name.
- Unexpected answer
- The device is not speaking RTSP on that port. Check the port number.
Remote access (outside your home)
Opening a camera to the internet by port forwarding is risky. Use a strong, non-default password and keep the firmware up to date. A VPN to your home network is the safest option. 4KEye connects directly to the address you enter.