Looking for a streaming video media player (RTSP) for a Web API.

Question

Hello everyone! I need to implement CCTV camera monitoring (RTSP) in a C#, ASP NET 9.0 MVC, Web API project. Can anyone suggest a media player that can be embedded into the program to view the RTSP stream? There are many media players for desktop applications that play the RTSP stream. For example, VLC. For Web API, there are players that play video files. But I can't find a streaming video media player for Web API.

Daniel Wright · Answer

Thank you for reaching out with your query regarding implementing CCTV camera monitoring (RTSP) in a C#, ASP.NET MVC Web API project. When it comes to embedding a media player for viewing RTSP streams within a Web API application, you may encounter some limitations due to browser restrictions and the nature of streaming protocols. One common approach to handling RTSP streams in a web-based environment is to use WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication). WebRTC is a free, open-source project that provides browsers and mobile applications with Real-Time Communications (RTC) capabilities via simple APIs. It supports streaming of audio and video, making it a possible solution for displaying RTSP streams in web applications. However, it's important to note that directly embedding an RTSP stream into a web page can be challenging due to various reasons, including browser support and security concerns. In some cases, you may need a server-side component to transcode the RTSP stream into a format compatible with web browsers. Another option is to use libraries or frameworks that support HTML5 video elements and can handle RTSP streams. One such example is Video.js, which is an open-source library that provides a customizable and skinnable video player for web applications. While Video.js primarily supports standard video formats like MP4, you may find plugins or extensions that enable RTSP stream playback. Additionally, you can explore commercial solutions or APIs specifically designed for streaming RTSP content over the web. These solutions often provide more robust features and support for various streaming protocols. In conclusion, while embedding RTSP streams directly into a Web API application may pose some challenges, exploring WebRTC, HTML5 video libraries like Video.js, and dedicated streaming solutions could help you achieve your goal. Remember to consider factors like browser compatibility, security implications, and the need for potential server-side processing when evaluating different options for displaying RTSP streams in your project.