Genea Video connects to cameras using RTSP. Rhombus cameras do not support RTSP as a standard setting, so a Rhombus camera cannot simply be added to Genea Video the way most other IP cameras can. This article explains why and what your options are.
Why Rhombus cameras are different
Rhombus cameras are built to stream to the Rhombus cloud. Rhombus does offer a feature called Secure Raw Streams, but it sends H.264 video over HTTPS, not RTSP. It also only works on the same local network as the camera. Genea Video needs an RTSP URL that starts with rtsp://, so Secure Raw Streams links cannot be used to add a camera to Genea Video.
Your options
Option 1: Ask Rhombus to enable RTSP on your cameras
Rhombus says RTSP access for running a camera on its own is available at the end of your Rhombus license term, and you need to contact Rhombus Support to arrange it. Rhombus will explain the process, any functional limits, and how it affects your license terms and product warranty. Ask them these questions before you decide:
Can RTSP be enabled on my camera models today, or only after my license ends?
What is the RTSP URL format, and what username and password do I use?
Which camera features stop working once RTSP is enabled?
How does this affect my warranty?
Rhombus Support: 1 (877) 746-6797, option 2, or support@rhombus.com
If Rhombus enables RTSP, follow the Manual method in our article How to Add a Camera to add the camera to Genea Video. You will need the RTSP URL, username, and password from Rhombus. Make sure the camera is set to H.264, since Genea Video's AI features work best with it.
Option 2: Replace the cameras
If you are moving away from Rhombus, you can install cameras that support RTSP or ONVIF. Most standard IP cameras from other manufacturers do. Once installed, add them using the steps in How to Add a Camera. The Network Scan method can find them automatically if they are on the same subnet as your Genea Gateway.
Option 3: Keep Rhombus for now and move over in stages
If your Rhombus license is still active, you can keep those cameras running in Rhombus while you add new RTSP cameras to Genea Video. Move locations over as each Rhombus license comes up for renewal.
Before you add any camera
At least one Genea Gateway is set up and online.
The camera is on the same network as the gateway.
You have the camera's RTSP URL, username, and password.
The camera stream is set to H.264.
Need help deciding
Tell us how many Rhombus cameras you have, which models, and when your Rhombus license ends. We can help you pick the best path for your locations.
Questions? Reach out to Genea Support at any time at acsupport@getgenea.com.