[Live-devel] Keeping RTSP connection alive

[Ross Finlayson]

> I tested this also with the openRTSP test program (the output is in the end of this message).

You actually ran “testRTSPClient”.  “openRTSP” is a different program, with more features.  (See below.)


> 1) I suppose that openRTSP (and the RTSPClient class) sends periodic RTCP sender reports (based on RTSPClient source code) to the camera.  Am I correct ? (i.e. no special custom implementation is needed to achieve this).

Yes.

> 2) .. and that should be enough to keep the camera sending those frames, right ?

Yes, it should.  However, several buggy RTSP servers (including the one in your camera) do not use incoming RTCP “RR”s (from the client) to indicate that the client is still alive.

> 3) So maybe this a problem of the camera not fullfilling the protocol .. ?

Yes.

> 4) Is sending periodic "GET_PARAMETER" command a legitimate way of keeping the connection up and alive or simply a "hack" that is widespread ?

The latter.  Note that “openRTSP” (but not “testRTSPClient”) includes an option “-K” to tell it to send periodic “OPTIONS” commands (similar to “GET_PARAMETER”) to tell the server that it’s still alive.


> (I'm using "v2016.02.22" of live555)

Please upgrade to the latest version of the “LIVE555 Streaming Media” software.  We do not support old versions of the code.



Ross Finlayson
Live Networks, Inc.
http://www.live555.com/