Introduction: Why connect Xiaomi camera to laptop?
Xiaomi cameras are some of the most popular surveillance devices, thanks to a combination of price, quality and functionality. But what if you want to display an image from the camera directly to the laptop screen? For example, for streaming, recording video tutorials, remote surveillance without a smartphone or integration into the smart home system via a PC. The official Mi Home or Xiaomi Home apps are designed for mobile devices, and connecting to a computer requires workarounds.
In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to connect Xiaomi cameras to a laptop: from simple to simple. USB-connections (for models with connector) to complex circuits through RTSP-You will also learn what programs you need, how to set up a network for stable broadcasting and what to do if the camera is not determined by the system.Β°, Xiaomi MiJia 1080p, Xiaomi Smart Camera C400 others.
β οΈ Not all Xiaomi cameras support direct connection to PCs, for example, models without USB-The port (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Home Camera) 2K) You can only connect via the network. RTSP You can check the compatibility of your model in the table below.
What Xiaomi cameras can be connected to a laptop?
Before you start setting up, make sure your camera is technically capable of streaming video to a laptop.Most Xiaomi devices fall into three categories:
- π S USB-Port: You can connect directly via cable (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) PC Camera, Xiaomi Webcam 1080p). They work like standard webcams.
- πΆ Wi-Fi only: Settings are required RTSP-streaming or using cloud services (e.g. Mi Home Security Camera 360)Β°, Xiaomi Smart Camera C200).
- β οΈ Closed models: Some cameras (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Home Camera 2) do not support RTSP and can only be connected via the official application.
Below is the compatibility table of popular models:
| Camera model | USB-port | Support for RTSP | Support for ONVIF | How to connect to a PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi PC Camera | β Yes. | β No. | β No. | Straight. USB, webcam |
| Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera 360Β° 1080p | β No. | β Yeah (set-up) | β No. | RTSP, cloud, TinyCam |
| Xiaomi Smart Camera C400 | β No. | β Yes. | β Yes. | RTSP, ONVIF, VLC, iSpy |
| Xiaomi MiJia 1080p | β No. | β Yeah) | β No. | RTSP post-activation |
If your model is not in the table, check its characteristics on the official Xiaomi website or in the documents. USB-Port protocol will need to be included RTSP β more about this in the next section.
Method 1: Connecting Xiaomi Camera to USB (plug-on)
This is the easiest method, but it only works for cameras. USB-port, for example, Xiaomi Mi PC Camera or Xiaomi Webcam 1080p. Such devices are defined by the laptop as standard webcams and do not require complex settings.
Step-by-step:
- Connect the camera to the laptop via USB-Type-C or USB-A cable (depending on the model).
- Wait for the drivers to install. Windows usually recognizes the device automatically.
- Open any video calling app (Zoom, Skype, OBS Studio) and select Xiaomi camera in video settings.
β οΈ Warning: If the camera is not detected, check:
- π Do you use the original cable (not all) USB-cables support data transmission).
- π₯οΈ Are the drivers on the laptop updated (especially for the chipset and USB-port).
- π Try to connect the camera to another. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).
To check the camera, you can use the standard Camera application in Windows:
- Press Win. + S and enter βCameraΒ».
- Select the application and allow access to the device.
- If the image is available, the camera is ready to use.
βοΈ Checking the connection USB
Method 2: Connecting to Wi-Fi via RTSP (mostly IP-camera)
If your Xiaomi camera doesnβt have one USB-The port (e.g. Mi Home Security Camera 360)Β°), The only way to display video on your laptop is to use the protocol. RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol: This method requires pre-configuring the camera and the program to view the stream.
Step 1: Activate. RTSP camera-wise
By default. RTSP It's turned off on most of Xiaomi's cameras:
- Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone.
- Go to the camera settings: Device settings β Additionally. β Protocol RTSP.
- Turn on the switch and copy the link RTSP-flow (usually of the form) rtsp://[IP_camera]/live/ch00_0).
β οΈ Note: Some cameras (e.g. Xiaomi MiJia) 1080p) RTSP If the option is not on the menu, check the region of the device in the Mi Home settings (should be Mainland China, Russia or Other).
Step 2: Find out IP-camera
To connect to RTSP need local IP-The camera address on your network, you can find it:
- π± In the Mi Home app: Device settings β General information β Local area network.
- π₯οΈ Through the router: Go to the routerβs web interface (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and find the device by name (e.g. lumi.camera).
Step 3: Viewing the stream on the laptop
For reproduction RTSP-stream will fit the program:
- π¬ VLC Media Player (free of charge):
- ποΈ iSpy (for recording and monitoring):
Critical detail: If the video is slowing down or interrupted, reduce the resolution of the stream in the camera settings (for example, with a camera setting). 1080p before 720p) Or use a wired connection of the laptop to the router.
rtsp://[IP]:554/stream1
rtsp://[IP]:554/onvif1
Xiaomi
Method 3: Emulation of the webcam through OBS Studio (for streaming)
If you want to use Xiaomiβs camera for streaming on Twitch, YouTube or video conferencing, it doesnβt have one. USB-port, you can turn RTSP-streaming into a virtual webcam using OBS Studio and plugin OBS Virtual Camera.
Instructions:
- Install OBS Studio from the official website.
- Add a source of media source (Sources) β Add β Media Source).
- Put it in. RTSP-camera reference (e.g, rtsp://192.168.0.100:554/live/ch00_0).
- Install the plugin OBS Virtual Camera (Tools β Virtual Camera).
- In a streaming program (such as Zoom), select as the camera. OBS Virtual Camera.
β οΈ Note: This method adds delay to the 1-3 It's a second because of the flow processing. For professional streamers, it's better to use direct cameras. USB-connection.
Alternative programs for emulation of webcam:
- π₯ ManyCam supports RTSP and allows for effects.
- π₯οΈ DroidCam can transmit video from IP-Cameras as from a webcam (requires an Android device as an intermediary).
π‘
Emulation of webcams through OBS β only way to use IP-Xiaomi camera without Zoom, Skype or Discord USB-port.
Method 4: Connecting through cloud services (without a cloud connection) RTSP)
If your camera doesn't support RTSP (For example, older Mi Home Camera models, you can display the image on your laptop through cloud services, and the downside is the Internet dependency and possible delay.
Option 1: TinyCam Pro (via Android emulator)
TinyCam Pro allows you to view Xiaomi cameras on your PC through an Android emulator (e.g. BlueStacks):
- Install BlueStacks and log in to your Google account.
- Download TinyCam Pro from Google Play in the emulator.
- Add the camera to your Mi Home account.
- Enable Desktop Mode in BlueStacks for easy viewing.
Option 2: Mi Home Web (unofficial web interface)
Mi Home Web allows you to manage Xiaomi devices via the browser:
- Sign in to the site through your Xiaomi account.
- Select your camera from the list of devices.
- Click on the video icon to watch the broadcast.
β οΈ Note: Unofficial services may violate Xiaomiβs privacy policy. Do not enter data from your main account β use a separate email.
Problem Solving: The camera doesnβt connect to the laptop
If none of these methods worked, check the following points:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The camera is not detected by USB. | There are no drivers. | Install the driver manually through Device Manager (download from Xiaomiβs website) |
| RTSP-flow | Wrong. IP-port | Check it out. IP Check that port 554 is open. |
| Video slows or tears | Weak Wi-Fi signal | Connect your laptop and camera to your router via cable or use a Wi-Fi repeater |
| Authentication error in RTSP | Login/password required | Add the username and password from the camera: rtsp://login:password@IP:554/live/ch00_0 |
Additional advice:
- π Reboot your camera and router β it solves 30% of connection problems.
- π‘οΈ Turn off the firewall or antivirus β they can block RTSP-flow.
- π‘ If you use RTSP Outside the local network, set up port port port port port port on the router (port 554).