How to Set Up a Tapo Camera on a VIGI NVR | ONVIF Configuration Guide

The Tapo wired camera supports the RTSP and ONVIF (Profile S) protocols, enabling compatibility with third-party NVR or NAS devices that also support RTSP/ONVIF.

This article will show you how to connect the Tapo camera to your NVR/NAS or a third-party client on PC like VLC Player and iSpy.

Important Notes:

• For battery cameras/doorbells, only the special models (Tapo D235/D225/TD25) support RTSP streaming when hardwired, with a jumper cable installed, and the always-on mode turned on. Other models (such as Tapo C410/C420/C425/D230) do not support RTSP streaming due to battery and electronic design limitations.
• It is not recommended to use this function on public networks. Only use it on trusted local networks and ensure that the Wi-Fi is encrypted.
• Tapo Care cloud storage cannot be used simultaneously with NVR or a microSD card due to the limited number of streams supported by some models. If all three are used at the same time, recording on the NVR will be disabled. To restart recording on the NVR, remove the microSD card from the camera.

Before you start:

• Before using this function, you need to create a camera account on the Tapo app. Set a highly secure and complex username and password that is different from your Tapo account password.
• When adding the camera to an NVR or other third-party device, you will need the camera’s IP address. The IP address is usually assigned by your host router. You can find it on your host router’s DHCP list or in the Tapo app (go to the Device Settings page of the camera and tap Device Info to see its IP). For detailed instructions, please refer to the guide on how to find the IP address of your Tapo & Kasa cameras.
• Ensure that the computer, NAS, NVR, and your camera are all connected to the same network or that they can access the public IP and port of your camera.

Part 1

Step 1: Create a camera account in the Tapo app

1. On the “Home” page, tap on your camera model card to go to the camera Live View page. Or you can click on Cameras > Manage on your camera model to go to the Live View page.

2. On the “Live View” page, tap the icon at the top right corner to enter the Device Settings page.

3. Tap “Advanced Settings“, then select “Camera Account” to create an account (username and password) for camera login on other portals.

You will see a prompt like below (About Camera Account), please read it and tap “Understand and Agree to Use“, then you can create an account for the camera.

Note: The username and password should contain 6 to 32 characters.

Part 2

Introduction

Some older camera models do not support the ONVIF protocol, necessitating the use of the RTSP protocol to add these devices to the NVR. Once successfully added, the camera’s video feed can be viewed on the NVR and stored within it.

Configuration

To add a camera via RTSP, the VIGI NVR’s GUI must be used, which requires connecting an external VGA or HDMI display to the NVR. Additionally, you must verify the RTSP stream URL from the camera manufacturer’s website before proceeding.

This article will use a Tapo Camera as an example to demonstrate how to add a camera to the VIGI NVR using the RTSP protocol:

Step 1. Connect the camera and the NVR to the same subnet. Check the camera’s IP address and the RTSP stream URL on the camera manufacturer’s website.

Step 2. Right-click on the VIGI NVR GUI to go to Settings.

Step 3. Click the + icon to add the camera to NVR

Step 4. Insert the ONVIF camera account created in Tapo app and wait until the camera is added to the NVR.

Step 5. Continue adding camera devices.

Step 6. The cameras are ready when

Step 7. Adding the Tapo camera to static lease in router/gateway (Reserved IP Address)