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Add your first camera

Add cameras gradually. A single working camera is more useful than many half-configured cameras.

Start with one camera, validate snapshot or stream access, place it in the composition, then connect it to a simple pipeline.

Before you start​

Have this information available when possible:

  • camera name;
  • IP address or hostname;
  • RTSP URL, if you already know it;
  • ONVIF username and password, if the camera supports ONVIF;
  • whether the camera supports PTZ;
  • where the camera is physically installed.

Use a contained network and avoid exposing camera credentials publicly.

Discovery or manual setup​

Toposync can work with cameras added manually and, when supported by the camera and network, ONVIF discovery.

Use discovery when it works, but do not depend on it for every camera. Some devices, VLANs, Wi-Fi networks, routers, or camera settings can block discovery even when the camera itself works.

If discovery does not find the camera, add it manually with the information you already have.

First validation​

Before building pipelines, confirm the basics:

  1. The camera is saved with a clear name.
  2. Snapshot or image access works.
  3. Stream access works if you installed streaming support.
  4. PTZ controls work only if the camera supports PTZ and credentials allow it.
  5. The camera is placed near its real location in the composition.

Do not tune advanced settings until this first loop works.

Place the camera in the composition​

Placement does not need to be exact on the first day. It should be good enough to answer:

  • where is this camera installed?
  • what area does it mainly see?
  • which rooms, gates, doors, or outdoor zones are visible?
  • which events should belong to this camera?

After the camera is placed, revisit your areas. You may need to split or rename areas based on what the camera actually sees.

Start with one camera flow​

When the camera page offers presets or flow creation, start from the simplest option.

A good first flow is:

  • camera input;
  • motion or detection;
  • optional area filter;
  • optional notification or stored image.

Use Create your first pipelines for the next step.