Guides
CamRelay User Guide
CamRelay - Live IP-camera via RTSP
Verander je Android-telefoon in een RTSP IP-camera
Verander je Android-telefoon in een krachtige RTSP-netwerkcamera.
Paid
Android 7.0+
Stream video en audio met lage latentie via je lokale netwerk, neem beelden lokaal op en verbind je Android-camera met NVR's, bewakingssystemen, mediaspelers en professionele videotools.
Features
Video & Audio Codecs
CamRelay supports a range of video and audio codecs to work with different Android devices and RTSP clients. Video: H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1, depending on device hardware. H.264 provides the broadest compatibility. Audio: Opus, AAC, and G.711 (μ-law and A-law). G.711 is always available, AAC is supported on most devices, while Opus availability depends on device capabilities. The available codecs can also depend on the capabilities of the receiving RTSP client.
Two-Way Audio
Go beyond one-way camera monitoring with RTSP backchannel audio. CamRelay supports two-way communication when used with Frigate NVR and other compatible clients that support the relevant RTSP backchannel implementation. With a compatible setup, the client can receive audio from the Android device and send audio back to it over the network. This makes CamRelay suitable for applications such as security cameras, baby monitors, pet monitoring, and remote communication.
Web-Based Remote Control
Control and monitor CamRelay from a web browser on another device connected to the network. The built-in web interface provides remote access to the camera feed, camera controls, and recorded files without requiring you to physically operate the Android device. Use a PC, tablet, or another phone as your remote control interface.
Local Video Recording
Record camera footage directly to your Android device as MP4 video files. Recorded videos can be browsed, played, and downloaded remotely through CamRelay's web interface, making the phone useful as both a live network camera and a standalone recording device.
Dashcam Mode & Live Overlays
Turn your Android phone into a connected dashcam with configurable on-screen information. CamRelay can display: - Precise timestamp - Custom camera name - Battery level - Battery temperature - GPS coordinates - GPS speed The GPS speed information is processed on the device and can be embedded into the live camera view as a HUD-style overlay. Overlay availability depends on the relevant device sensors and permissions.
Advanced Camera Controls
Take control of the Android camera instead of relying on a fixed preview. CamRelay supports features such as: - Front and rear camera switching - Torch control - Focus locking - Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), where supported - Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), where supported - HDR video, where supported Camera capabilities vary between Android devices and camera sensors.
Screen-Off Streaming
Keep the camera running without keeping the display constantly illuminated. CamRelay supports screen dimming and immersive operation, including a pitch-black display mode designed for long-running camera setups. This is particularly useful when using an Android phone as a dedicated security camera or dashcam, while also helping reduce display power consumption and OLED/AMOLED burn-in risk. Require standby lock mode - Tested with no screen lock
Automatic Startup
Use an Android device as a more dedicated camera by optionally starting CamRelay when the device powers on. This is especially useful for permanently mounted security cameras and vehicle dashcams where the phone is expected to resume operation after a reboot or power cycle. Require overlay permission on recent Android versions
Flexible Streaming Controls
Fine-tune the stream to match your network and hardware. Configure settings such as: - Video codec - Video resolution - Video codec - Video bitrate - Audio codec - Audio bitratehardware - Target frame rate from 15 to 60 FPS or higher depending on device hardware - Audio streaming This gives you control over the balance between image quality, network bandwidth, device performance, and storage requirements. Video codec support H.264, H.265, AV1 depending on device hardware. Typically H.264 is supported on most devices. Audio codec support OPUS, AAC, G.711 (ulaw and alaw). G.711 is always supported, AAC on most devices while OPUS might be lesser
RTSP Live Streaming
Stream live video and audio from your Android device over your local network using the standard RTSP protocol. CamRelay works particularly well with Frigate NVR, making it easy to use an Android phone as a camera source in a Frigate-based surveillance system. It can also be used with other RTSP-compatible NVRs, VMS software, media players, and video production tools. Video quality can be configured from lower resolutions for efficient streaming up to 4K or higher, depending on your device hardware.
Frigate NVR Integration
Use your Android phone as a camera source for Frigate NVR. CamRelay provides an RTSP stream that can be integrated into Frigate for local video surveillance and AI-powered camera workflows. CamRelay also supports two-way audio with Frigate when using a compatible Frigate/RTSP configuration, allowing audio to be sent back to the Android device in addition to receiving the camera's audio stream.
About this app
Verander je Android-telefoon in een netwerkcamera
Heb je een Android-telefoon met een goede camera die je niet gebruikt? CamRelay verandert hem in een netwerkcamera die video en audio via RTSP kan streamen.
Gebruik je telefoon als beveiligingscamera, dashcam, bewakingscamera of draadloze videobron en verbind hem met de software en hardware die je al gebruikt.
CamRelay werkt met NVR's, bewakingssystemen, Home Assistant, OBS Studio, VLC en andere RTSP-compatibele clients, zodat je een Android-camera flexibel kunt toevoegen aan een bestaande videowerkflow.
📡 RTSP-streaming
Stream live video en audio rechtstreeks vanaf je apparaat via je lokale netwerk met het standaard RTSP-protocol.
CamRelay ondersteunt:
- H.264- en H.265/HEVC-video
- 480p, 720p, 1080p, 4K en hogere resoluties, afhankelijk van de hardware
- Instelbare video- en audiobitrate
- Doelframerates van 15–60 FPS
- Hardwareversnelde videocodering indien ondersteund
Gebruik de resulterende RTSP-stream met compatibele NVR-, VMS-, mediaspeler- of streamingsoftware.
🎥 Meer dan alleen een camerastream
CamRelay bevat functies die zijn ontworpen voor continu cameragebruik:
- Wisselen tussen de camera aan de voor- en achterkant
- Zaklampbediening
- Focusregeling
- OIS/EIS-stabilisatie indien ondersteund
- HDR indien ondersteund
- Streamen met uitgeschakeld scherm
- Meeslepende modus en schermdimmen
- Automatisch starten na het opstarten van het apparaat
Deze functies maken CamRelay geschikt voor zowel tijdelijke camera-opstellingen als speciale Android-camera-apparaten.
🌐 Bedien je camera vanuit een browser
CamRelay biedt een ingebouwde webinterface waarmee je vanaf een ander apparaat op het netwerk toegang hebt tot de camera.
Gebruik de webinterface om de stream te bekijken, ondersteunde camerafuncties te bedienen en opnamen te beheren zonder rechtstreeks met het Android-apparaat te hoeven werken.
💾 Lokale opname
Neem video rechtstreeks op het Android-apparaat op als MP4-bestanden.
Opgenomen bestanden zijn ook toegankelijk via de webinterface, zodat je beelden eenvoudig vanaf een ander apparaat op het netwerk kunt bekijken, afspelen of downloaden.
🚗 Ontworpen voor dashcams
CamRelay kan een Android-telefoon ook veranderen in een verbonden dashcam.
Handige functies zijn onder andere:
- Automatisch starten na het opstarten
- Continu video opnemen
- GPS-snelheidsweergave
- Tijdstempelweergave
- Weergave van de cameranaam
- Batterij- en temperatuurinformatie
- Schermdimmen voor langdurig gebruik
De locatieverwerking voor de snelheidsweergave vindt plaats op het apparaat.
🏠 Werkt met je bestaande tools
CamRelay is ontworpen als netwerkvideobron en bindt je niet aan een eigen ecosysteem.
Gebruik het met compatibele software zoals:
- Home Assistant
- Frigate
- Synology Surveillance Station
- QNAP
- Blue Iris
- ZoneMinder
- MotionEye
- OBS Studio
- vMix
- Wirecast
- VLC
De compatibiliteit is afhankelijk van de protocolfuncties die door de ontvangende toepassing worden ondersteund.
🔊 Tweerichtingsaudio
CamRelay ondersteunt RTSP-backchannelaudio voor compatibele NVR- en VMS-systemen.
Hiermee kunnen ondersteunde configuraties audio van de camera ontvangen en audio terugsturen naar het Android-apparaat voor tweerichtingscommunicatie.
🔒 Lokaal streamen
De camerastream is ontworpen om rechtstreeks via het lokale netwerk te worden geleverd, zonder dat een cloudaccount of abonnement nodig is.
CamRelay vereist niet dat je je camerafeed naar een eigen cloudservice uploadt om de camera als RTSP-bron te gebruiken.
⚙️ Hardwareafhankelijke functies
Sommige functies zijn afhankelijk van de camera en hardware-implementatie van het Android-apparaat.
Resolutie, beschikbare codecs, OIS, EIS, HDR, framerates en andere camerafuncties kunnen per apparaat verschillen.
CamRelay — verander een Android-apparaat in een flexibele RTSP-camera voor beveiliging, bewaking, opname, dashcams en draadloze videowerkflows.
Requirements
- Minimum Android
- 7.0 (API 24)
Android 7.0 (API 24) of hoger. Toegang tot de camera en microfoon is vereist voor livestreaming en audiofuncties. Sommige mogelijkheden, zoals 4K, H.265, OIS, EIS en HDR, zijn afhankelijk van de hardware van het apparaat.
Privacy & permissions
CamRelay gebruikt Firebase Analytics om te begrijpen hoe de app wordt gebruikt en om het product te verbeteren.
De app kan analytische en diagnostische informatie verzamelen, zoals gebeurtenissen rond appgebruik, de app-versie, apparaatgegevens en andere technische gegevens die verband houden met Firebase Analytics.
Camera- en microfoongegevens worden gebruikt voor de streaming- en opnamefuncties van de app. De live camerastream is bedoeld om rechtstreeks via het netwerk naar RTSP-compatibele clients te worden verzonden, in plaats van te worden geüpload naar de eigen clouddienst van CamRelay.
Optionele toegang tot locatiegegevens wordt gebruikt voor functies zoals GPS-snelheidsinformatie in dashcam-overlays.
Raadpleeg het gedeelte Privacy voor meer informatie over gegevensverwerking, diensten van derden en je privacykeuzes.
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Camera & Microphone
CamRelay needs access to your camera to capture live video and access to your microphone to capture audio for RTSP streaming and recording. Microphone access is also required for supported two-way audio functionality. These permissions are only relevant when you use camera or audio features.
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Location
Location access is used for the optional GPS speed overlay in dashcam mode. CamRelay uses location information to calculate the vehicle's current speed and display it on the camera feed. The speed calculation is performed on the device. Location access is not required for basic RTSP video streaming.
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Foreground Service
CamRelay uses Android's foreground service mechanism to keep long-running streaming and recording sessions active while the app is not continuously visible. Android displays a persistent notification while the service is running so that you can see when camera streaming or recording is active. This is important for use cases such as security cameras, dashcams, and screen-off streaming.
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Boot Completed
CamRelay can use the device's boot-completed event to support its optional automatic startup feature. When enabled, this allows the camera setup to resume after the Android device has restarted or powered on, which is useful for dedicated security cameras and vehicle dashcams.
Frequently asked questions
CamRelay is an Android app that turns your phone or tablet into a network camera with an RTSP stream.
You can use the device as a security camera, NVR camera source, dashcam, monitoring camera, or wireless video source for applications such as OBS Studio and VLC.
Unlike a traditional IP camera, CamRelay lets you use the camera hardware already available on your Android device.
CamRelay can be used for many network-camera scenarios, including:
- Home security cameras
- NVR and VMS camera sources
- Dashcams
- Baby and pet monitoring
- Remote camera monitoring
- Wireless camera sources for OBS Studio
- Local video recording
- Android-based surveillance setups
The main requirement is that the software receiving the stream supports RTSP or a compatible integration.
RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) is a standard protocol commonly used to control and deliver real-time audio and video streams.
Using RTSP allows CamRelay to act as a network camera source instead of requiring a proprietary viewer or cloud service.
This makes the Android camera easier to integrate with NVRs, VMS software, media players, home automation systems, and video production tools that support RTSP.
Yes. CamRelay is designed to work as an RTSP camera source for compatible NVR and VMS software.
You can use the RTSP URL generated by CamRelay to add the Android device as a network camera.
Examples of software and systems listed for CamRelay include Home Assistant, Frigate, Synology Surveillance Station, QNAP, Blue Iris, ZoneMinder, and MotionEye.
The exact setup depends on how your NVR handles RTSP streams.
Yes. CamRelay can provide an RTSP video source that can be used in compatible video production workflows.
This makes an Android phone useful as a wireless camera source for OBS Studio and similar software.
Actual setup depends on the receiving application's support for RTSP streams and the network connection between the phone and computer.
No cloud account is required to use CamRelay's local RTSP camera functionality.
The camera stream is designed to be delivered over the network to compatible clients rather than requiring a CamRelay cloud service.
However, the app itself uses third-party services such as Firebase Analytics for product analytics. This is separate from the RTSP camera stream. See the Privacy Policy for details about data handling.
Yes. CamRelay supports screen-off streaming and screen dimming for long-running camera setups.
This is useful when the phone is being used as a dedicated security camera or dashcam and you don't need the display to remain visible.
Android's foreground-service system is used to keep supported streaming and recording operations active while the app is not continuously visible.
Some devices may not supported the background recording
CamRelay supports resolutions up to 4K or higher, depending on the Android device and its camera and hardware encoder capabilities.
The actual maximum resolution, frame rate, codec availability, and encoding performance depend on the specific phone or tablet.
For long-running use, choosing a resolution and bitrate appropriate for the device can help reduce heat, battery consumption, and network bandwidth.
Yes. CamRelay supports both H.264 and H.265/HEVC when the device provides the required hardware encoding support.
H.264 is generally useful when compatibility is the priority, while H.265 can reduce bandwidth and storage requirements when supported by the receiving software.
Available codecs depend on the Android device.
Yes. CamRelay includes features that make an Android phone suitable for use as a connected dashcam.
You can combine:
- Automatic startup
- Continuous recording
- GPS speed overlay
- Timestamp overlay
- Camera name overlay
- Battery and temperature information
- Screen-off operation
The actual experience depends on the phone's camera, GPS, battery, thermal characteristics, and mounting/charging setup.
Yes. CamRelay supports RTSP backchannel audio for compatible NVR and VMS software.
This allows a compatible client to receive audio from the phone and send audio back to the Android device.
Two-way audio depends on the receiving software supporting the relevant RTSP backchannel implementation. CamRelay's Google Play listing specifically notes compatibility with Frigate through go2rtc/WebRTC and other NVR/VMS systems that support RTSP audio backchannel.
No. Some features depend on the hardware and camera implementation of the Android device.
For example, 4K resolution, H.265/HEVC encoding, OIS, EIS, HDR, available frame rates, and supported camera controls can vary between devices.
CamRelay exposes the capabilities available from the device rather than guaranteeing the same feature set on every Android phone.
Yes. CamRelay works particularly well with Frigate NVR and can be used as an RTSP camera source in a Frigate setup.
CamRelay can also work with other RTSP-compatible NVR and VMS software, including Synology Surveillance Station, QNAP, Blue Iris, ZoneMinder, and MotionEye.
For Frigate, CamRelay can provide the RTSP video and audio stream for your camera configuration. Compatible setups can also use CamRelay's two-way audio functionality through Frigate's supported RTSP/WebRTC audio path.
CamRelay supports several video and audio codecs, depending on the Android device and the receiving client.
Video codecs:
- H.264
- H.265/HEVC
- AV1
H.264 is generally the most widely supported option. H.265/HEVC and AV1 may provide better compression efficiency but require compatible hardware and software.
Audio codecs:
- Opus
- AAC
- G.711 μ-law
- G.711 A-law
G.711 is always available, AAC is supported on most devices, while Opus availability depends on the device's audio encoding capabilities.
The codecs available to you are determined by both the Android device and the capabilities of the RTSP client receiving the stream.
Streaming video continuously can cause your phone to heat up. If the device temperature becomes too high, the phone may automatically limit or stop camera operation to protect the device.
When this happens, you may notice:
- Choppy or laggy video
- Dropped frames
- Reduced streaming performance
- The camera stopping unexpectedly
- The stream disconnecting or stopping
If your phone becomes hot during streaming, try to improve its cooling:
- Keep the phone in a cool, well-ventilated area.
- Avoid direct sunlight and other sources of heat.
- Remove the phone case if it retains heat.
- Use a fan or other suitable cooling solution to help dissipate heat.
- Close unnecessary apps running in the background.
Keeping your phone cool can help maintain stable camera performance and reduce the risk of frame drops, lag, or streaming interruptions.