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Camera compatibility

Connect through Home Assistant or use Direct Camera with Respawn Companion. You can mix both methods on one canvas.

Home Assistant

Use cameras already connected to Home Assistant. Enter your Home Assistant address and access token in the widget.

Home Assistant must stay available. Respawn Companion is not required.

Direct Camera

Use a compatible camera’s stream address and camera login without Home Assistant. RTSP and MJPEG are common camera streaming formats.

Keep Respawn Companion running on the same PC with the Camera module enabled.

Download Respawn Companion
Live view route availableCheck model / extra setupNo supported route

Ratings describe live view connection routes for supported models, not every camera from a brand. Direct Camera needs a usable stream address; a vendor app login or an ONVIF label alone is not enough. Movement, zoom and audio depend on the camera and connection. Talk back is not included.

Camera brands compared by Home Assistant and Direct Camera connection
BrandHome AssistantDirect CameraWhat to expect
ReolinkHome AssistantDirect CameraRecommendedHome Assistant supports many plug in and PoE models. Direct Camera uses their local RTSP feed; enable RTSP and ONVIF in the camera settings. Basic E1 and supported battery models may need a Home Hub or recorder. LTE only models are not a direct option.
TP Link TapoHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant and Direct Camera can use supported wired models. For Direct Camera, create a separate camera account in the Tapo app and use its RTSP address. Most battery models lack this feed; certain hardwired doorbells are exceptions.
UniFi ProtectHome AssistantDirect CameraRecommendedHome Assistant connects through your Protect console. Direct Camera can use an enabled RTSP/RTSPS stream from Protect, so the console is still required. Copy the stream address, not the browser sharing link; movement controls may differ.
RingHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant offers live view for supported Ring cameras through Ring’s cloud. Direct Camera does not sign in to Ring or provide a supported direct feed from a standard Ring camera. Use the Home Assistant route.
Google NestHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant supports selected Nest generations through Google’s account setup, including a one time registration fee. Direct Camera does not handle Google sign in or renew temporary Nest streams; use Home Assistant.
eufy SecurityHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant may need a local feed or community integration. Direct Camera works only when the exact camera/HomeBase setup supplies an RTSP feed. Battery sleep and event only streaming can limit continuous viewing.
ArloHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant can use the community Aarlo integration, with separate account setup and Arlo cloud access. Direct Camera has no Arlo account connection; a standard Arlo setup has no supported direct route here.
WyzeHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant commonly uses a community bridge. Direct Camera needs an RTSP feed from supported RTSP firmware or an already configured bridge. Model and firmware limits apply; the widget does not install the bridge or sign in to Wyze.
BlinkHome AssistantDirect CameraThe standard Home Assistant integration provides still images and recorded clips rather than live video. Direct Camera has no supported Blink connection. Unofficial live view bridges are outside the supported routes in this guide.
TP Link KasaHome AssistantDirect CameraKasa cameras are excluded from the standard Home Assistant TP Link integration and do not provide the supported local RTSP feed needed by Direct Camera. Tapo is a separate range with different capabilities.
AmcrestHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant can use its Amcrest integration or a compatible local feed. Direct Camera uses the camera’s RTSP address and local login. Many IP models work this way, but some Smart Home products lack RTSP; check the exact model.
DahuaHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant can use supported models through Amcrest, ONVIF or a generic camera feed. Direct Camera uses a local RTSP feed from the camera or recorder. Recorder channel numbers and movement controls may need extra setup.
HikvisionHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant supports live feeds from compatible cameras and recorders. Direct Camera uses their RTSP stream and local login. Select the correct recorder channel; enable ONVIF separately if needed for movement controls.
ANNKEHome AssistantDirect CameraBoth routes depend on the exact camera or recorder. Home Assistant may use Hikvision, ONVIF or a generic camera feed. Direct Camera needs an available RTSP address; do not assume every ANNKE kit provides one.
LorexHome AssistantDirect CameraCompatible wired cameras and recorders can supply a local feed for Home Assistant or Direct Camera. Direct Camera needs the recorder/camera RTSP address and login. Check Wi Fi, doorbell and battery models individually.
EZVIZHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant’s account integration has additional setup limits. Direct Camera avoids that account connection when the model offers a local RTSP feed. Enable local access and check the model/firmware list for ONVIF controls.
ImouHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant’s Imou cloud route needs developer account setup and has usage limits. Direct Camera instead needs a model with local RTSP support and its camera login. Cloud only models cannot use that direct route.
FoscamHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant supports compatible Foscam cameras, with limitations on older models. Direct Camera can use an HD camera’s RTSP feed or a compatible MJPEG address. Audio and movement depend on the camera and connection.
AxisHome AssistantDirect CameraHome Assistant has an Axis integration for supported network cameras. Direct Camera uses a compatible RTSP stream and local login. Movement and zoom require a model that exposes those controls; body worn cameras are not covered.

Already have a camera? For Home Assistant, confirm live video plays in its built in camera view. For Direct Camera, find the manufacturer’s RTSP or MJPEG address and enable local streaming. A still image or saved clip does not confirm live view support.

Movement and zoom. Home Assistant controls depend on its integration and can be assigned in Set controls. Direct Camera detects supported ONVIF controls; ONVIF is the camera’s standard control connection and may need to be enabled separately. A working video feed does not guarantee movement or optical zoom.

Red exclamation in the widget? A direct camera on your canvas needs the Camera module. Open Respawn Companion, enable Camera, and use the widget’s Settings to reconnect if needed. The warning clears when connected.

Before updating. Your setup saves automatically. Export a .camerasetup backup from Settings before updating, or import one to copy your layout and connections to another widget. File export inside iCUE requires the Camera module, including for Home Assistant only setups. Backups contain your sign in details; keep them private.

Sources and model lists

Shared connection guides ONVIF, Generic Camera, video and audio formats.

Not sure about your model? Email us or ask in Discord.

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