RTSPDeck

RTSPDeck is a lightweight, open-source desktop application for Windows (10+) that lets you view and manage multiple RTSP security camera feeds. Built in C# using WPF and powered by LibVLCSharp.

Note: Most of the architecture and functionality of this project was designed and implemented with the help of ChatGPT (OpenAI).

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🚀 Features

• 📷 View multiple RTSP streams in a grid layout
• 🔒 Save camera settings (IP, username, password, etc.) to a local config file
• ➕ Add/remove cameras dynamically via a GUI
• 🧩 Built with modern .NET and VLC libraries
• 🖥️ Compatible with most ONVIF / RTSP-capable NVRs and IP cameras
• 🌗 Attempts to follow system theme (light/dark), but full theme support is still being improved

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📦 Tech Stack

• .NET 8.0 (LTS)
• WPF
• LibVLCSharp
• JSON-based local config file for camera persistence

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🛠️ How to Build

Prerequisites

• Visual Studio 2022 or newer
• .NET 8 SDK
• Git (optional, for cloning)

🔧 No standalone VLC installation is required at runtime. The app uses VideoLAN.LibVLC.Windows NuGet package, which bundles the required native binaries (libvlc.dll, libvlccore.dll, plugins/). Just publish the full output folder.

🏗️ Note: Final build targets x64 only.

Steps

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/yourname/RTSPDeck.git
   cd RTSPDeck

2. Open the solution:

   Open RTSPDeck.sln in Visual Studio 2022.

3. Install required NuGet packages (if not restored):

   Install-Package LibVLCSharp.WPF
   Install-Package LibVLCSharp
   Install-Package VideoLAN.LibVLC.Windows

4. Build and run the project.

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📂 Configuration

RTSPDeck uses a JSON file to store camera information. This is created automatically on first run as config.json in the same directory as the executable.

Each camera feed entry includes:

• Name
• IPAddress
• Port
• Username
• Password
• CameraNumber

These values are used to generate a complete RTSP URL for each feed.

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🎥 RTSP URL Format

RTSPDeck builds stream URLs like so:

rtsp://{username}:{password}@{ip}:{port}/Streaming/Channels/{cameraNumber}

Example:

rtsp://admin:secretpass@192.168.0.90:554/Streaming/Channels/101

This format is compatible with ANNKE, Hikvision, Dahua, Reolink, and most ONVIF-compliant systems.

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🌓 Theme Support

RTSPDeck attempts to automatically follow your system theme (light or dark). However, full support (including runtime switching and modern accent color blending) is still in development. For now:

• Default styling matches light theme
• Some system brushes (SystemColors.*BrushKey) are used dynamically
• Dark theme styling may require explicit selection in a future release

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🙏 Credits

• Core design and implementation assisted by ChatGPT
• RTSP video handling via LibVLCSharp
• WPF UI based on native Windows controls
• Inspired by a need for a minimal, no-cloud, open RTSP viewer

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📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. You are free to use, modify, distribute, and share.