The Real Time Streaming

Protocol (RTSP)
RTSP is industry standard Internet Application
level Protocol.

RTSP is a framework for the delivery &
transmissions of:

Multicast data streams

Multicast Radio, text & Video
RTSP Features
RTSP works in conjunction with RTP to
deliver streaming video, audio and text
content.
RTSP maintains a server state during
transmission unlike HTTP.
Server-client architecture.
Avoids shortfalls/limitations in HTTP.
RTSP provides synchronisation of events.
Enhancement of HTTP functions.

RTSP Features ( Cont)
Real time or near real time system.
RTSP stream control working with RTP as the
media transport protocol.
Internet standard
Device control e.g camera zoom remotely
Load balancing using bidirectional connection.
Virtual presentations, synchronised playback
from multiple servers.


RTSP Functionality
Client - server & server- client

Multimedia-demand for continuous mode.

Multicast operation & address.

Independent stream file format or combinations
of subsets.

Ability to mix media, audio, images, video & text
as part of a stream.
RTSP Applications
Streaming of multi-media via Internet

Video conferencing & lectures.

Broadcasting of entertainment.

Remote digital editing

Voice mail


RTSP example session
TCP connection= RTSP session= session
maintained.

One TCP connection per session bidirectional.

UDP= Multicast, low latency & live events.


RTSP Diagram
RTSP Methods
OPTIONS- obtain available methods
SETUP- Establish transport

ANNOUNCE- alter description of media object.
DESCRIBE- get low level description of media object.
PLAY- start playback.
RECORD- Start recording
PAUSE- suspend delivery, keep state
SET_PARIMETER- device or encoding control
TEARDOWN- remove state.
RTSP Limitations
Bandwidth: 64 128 kb/s for talking heads,
1.5Mb/s for movies

Quality: packet loss, predictability

Reliability: makes CATV look good

Billing Infrastructure: pay-per-view?

Cheap Receivers: shouldnt cost more than set-
top box