CGI, RTSP, and ONVIF enable Reolink devices to work with third-party software, NVRs, and surveillance platforms. This article provides an overview of these protocols, their supported products, and common usage scenarios.
What Are CGI/RTSP/ONVIF?
If you're not familiar with these protocols, here's a quick overview:
| Protocol | What It Does | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| CGI | Sends simple HTTP commands to control device functions | Advanced scripting, automation, parameter configuration |
| RTSP | Real-time video streaming protocol | Live viewing via third-party software (e.g., VLC), NVR recording, or streaming video to external surveillance platforms |
| ONVIF | Standard IP camera communication protocol | Third-party NVR and software integration, device discovery, and centralized management |
Don't know which one you need? If you want to connect to a third-party NVR or view the stream in software like VLC, you need ONVIF and RTSP. If you're writing custom scripts, you need CGI.
Which Reolink Products Support CGI/RTSP/ONVIF?
Support for CGI, RTSP, or ONVIF protocols varies depending on the camera type. To find out whether your camera supports a specific protocol, first check your camera type (for example, battery-powered WiFi or PoE cameras). If you are not sure, you can refer to the (Example) Models column or search for your camera on our official website and view the product overview page.
The table below shows protocol support for each product type. The Condition column explains any requirements needed to enable each feature.
| Product Type | (Example) Model | CGI | RTSP | ONVIF | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery-powered WiFi Cameras |
e.g., Argus Series, including
Argus PT Ultra,
Argus 3 Ultra,
Argus Series B440/B350... Altas Series, including Altas, Altas PT Ultra, Altas Series B630/B660... Doorbell (Battery), D340B ... |
⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | Must connect to Reolink Home Hub |
| NVR Kit Cameras (No UID) | e.g., D500/B800/B500W/V800W | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | Must connect to Reolink NVR |
| PoE+Plug-in Wi-F Cameras |
e.g., RLC Series, including RLC-510WA, RLC-811A,
823S1, P430/W320/P840... E1 Outdoor Series, including E1 Outdoor, E1 Outdoor Pro, E1 Outdoor PoE... Duo Series, including Duo 2 PoE, Duo 2 WiFi, Duo 2V PoE, Duo Series P737/W750... Duoorbell Series, including Doorbell PoE, Duobell WiFi, D304P/D340W ... |
✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Standalone, or connect to Home Hub / NVR |
| Professional Serires Cameras | e.g., RP-PCT12M, RP-PCT8MD, RP-WCB8MZ... | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Standalone, or connect to Home Hub / NVR |
| Exceptions and Hardware-specific Differences | E1, E Series E320/E321 | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | Must connect to Reolink Home Hub or NVR |
| E1 Pro, E Series E330 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Standalone, or connect to Home Hub / NVR | |
|
Lumus, Lumus Series E430 (Refer to check your camera Hardware Verson.) |
⚠️ |
⚠️ Hw. IPC_325C7 ✅Hw. IPC_NT1NO24MP |
IPC_325C7: Must connect
to
Home Hub or NVR; IPC_NT1NO24MP: Standalone, or connect to Home Hub / NVR |
||
| Lumus Pro, Lumus Series E450 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Standalone, or connect to Home Hub / NVR | |
| Reolink Battery Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Standalone in Wired Power Mode | |
| TrackMix Wired LTE Camera, TrackMix Series G765 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Wired connection required | |
| 4G LTE Cameras |
e.g., Go Series, including, Go PT Ultra, Go
Ultra, Go Series
G340/G440... Trackmix LTE, Duo 2 LTE... ... |
❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Not supported |
| All NVRs | e.g., RLN8-410, RLN16-410, RP-PN8, NVS8/NVS16... | 🔵 | 🔵 | 🔵 | provides CGI/RTSP/ONVIF access for connected cameras |
| All Home Hubs | e.g., Home Hub Pro, Home Hub, Home Hub Mini, HH1/HH2/HH3... | 🔵 | 🔵 | 🔵 | provides CGI/RTSP/ONVIF access for connected cameras |
Condition Explanations:
✅ = Standalone support → Camera supports the protocol directly — no additional device is needed. Simply enable the feature in the Reolink App or Client and start using it.
⚠️ = Requires Home Hub or NVR → Camera does not support the protocol on its own. However, when connected to a Reolink Home Hub or NVR, you can access the protocol features through the Home Hub or NVR.
🔵 = Reolink NVRs and Home Hubs support all three protocols. For cameras marked with ⚠️, protocol access is provided through the connected NVR or Home Hub rather than the camera itself.
Wired connection = The TrackMix Wired LTE Camera supports these protocols only when connected via a wired (Ethernet) connection, not over LTE.
❌ = Not supported
Note: If a 4k camera is connected to an NVR with hardware H3MB16/H3MB02/H3MB17, it will only support RTSP stream in fluent mode instead of clear mode.
Common Use Cases
-
I want to connect my Reolink camera to a third-party NVR.
You need ONVIF and RTSP support. Check the table above to confirm your Reolink camera supports ONVIF and RTSP, then follow the guide to enable it:
-
I want to integrate my Reolink camera with Home Assistant.
You need RTSP or ONVIF support. Check the table above to confirm your camera supports the required protocol, then follow the Home Assistant integration guide:
-
I want to view my camera's live stream in VLC or other software.
You need RTSP support. Check the table above to confirm, get your RTSP stream URL, and then follow the guide below to view it in VLC:
→ How to Live View Reolink Cameras via VLC Media Player
-
I want to connect my Reolink camera to Synology Surveillance Station.
You need ONVIF and RTSP support. Check the table above to confirm your Reolink camera supports ONVIF and RTSP, then follow the guide to enable it:
→ How to Add Reolink Cameras to Synology Surveillance Station
Since protocol support varies by product type, always verify compatibility before deployment. By selecting the appropriate protocol for your needs, you can achieve more flexible integration and expand the capabilities of your surveillance system.
Related Articles
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Guide on Integrating Third-Party Cameras with Reolink NVRs