Introduction
when the things comes in terms of Streaming Media Servers then we gets in touch of terms RTSP , RTP , RTMP and HTTPS etc. Streaming Media Servers are used in IPTV headend and OTT headend. So to understand RTSP, RTP , RTMP etc are the very important for us.
In this article we will cover What Is RTSP, RTP and working of RTSP.
What Is RTSP
RTSP stands for Real Time Streaming Protocol. RTSP is also known as RFC2326. RTSP is used to establish and control the connection between streaming server and client for real time media data transfer. Where client represents user end device and connections as media sessions. These streaming servers can be one or more.
In other words,
If a streaming server is sending the data to the client then how data is sending is not a task of RTSP while it initiate media session and control this media session only. So it controls the media sessions between various multimedia servers or streaming servers and client.
To maintain the connection between server and client and to send the messages between server and client RTSP uses TCP protocol.
Working Of RTSP
OPTIONS
When a user end device is switch on then a request is send by client to streaming server by using RTSP. This request is represented as “OPTIONS“. This OPTIONS request is sent to server to know that what kind of requests that streaming server supports.
Then streaming server respond to client back, requests that streaming server supports.
DESCRIBE
DESCRIBE request send by client to server with URL to describe the description of media file. Then server gives description of media to client.
SETUP
This request is send by the client to server to know how to transport a single media stream. Then server respond to client transport mechanism.
PLAY
When the setup request is done. The client tells the server to start or transport bitstream via the transport mechanism explained in SETUP request.
Then server start sending video and audio to client via RTP protocol.
PAUSE
If a client wants to pause the video then PAUSE command send by the client to server.
TEARDOWN
This request is used to end the media session.
REDIRECT
REDIRECT request is sent by the server to tell the client to change the streaming server or to connect with different media server.
RECORD
This request is used to start recording of the content or media.
SET_PARAMETER
This is used to check the active status of client and server.
Advantage Of Real Time Streaming Protocol
It uses HTTP sometimes. Iit is HTTP friendly.
It provide us control on the streaming server in such a way that if client requested to stop streaming then server will stop.
It allows to streaming from different servers.
It is compatible to add some new parameters in this protocol.
Conclusion
Real Time Streaming Protocol plays very important role when we talk about streaming media in real time. It establish and control the whole media session from start to end. Various request are made before establishing a connection between client and server. Audio and video data is carried out using RTP protocol. Feature of Real Time Streaming Protocol is that it is compatible to extend or upgrade.
Know More About RTMP Real Time Messaging Protocol
reference : rtsp org
