FAQ
TL;DR: 100 % of recent EZVIZ firmware builds ship with RTSP disabled by default [Elektroda, robig, post #20552929] “Cheap but cloud-centric” warns user nihildiximus [Elektroda, 20553250] Use the hidden LAN-only menu or Hikvision ISAPI on port 8000 to regain local streaming.
Why it matters: Local control avoids forced cloud fees and mitigates privacy risks.
Quick Facts
- Street price ≈ PLN 160 / €35 [Elektroda, gulson, post #20552781]
- MCU: STM8S003F3, 16 MHz, 8 KB Flash [Elektroda, nihildiximus, post #20552587]
- Default ports: 8000 (Hikvision), 554 (RTSP) [Elektroda, nihildiximus, post #20552587]
- CR1220-class 3.3 V backup cell present [Elektroda, nihildiximus, post #20552587]
- RTSP toggle only visible on the same LAN as the camera [Elektroda, 20553250]
Does the EZVIZ C6C always send video to the EZVIZ cloud?
Yes. The camera runs a proprietary EZVIZ cloud protocol alongside RTSP; unless you block outbound traffic, it keeps a persistent connection to remote servers [Elektroda, khoam, post #20552882]
Can I use the camera with a Hikvision or ONVIF NVR without the cloud?
Usually. The C6C speaks Hikvision ISAPI on port 8000, so most NVRs detect it and expose basic PTZ and recording over TCP [Elektroda, kotbury, post #20553704] However, firmware after 2023 disables RTSP by default; enable it first (see How-To).
Is there a built-in web server for direct browser control?
No public HTTP interface is exposed in current firmware; configuration is via the mobile app or ISAPI calls [Elektroda, elektryku5, post #20554805]
How do I re-enable the hidden RTSP stream after an update?
Follow the 3-step How-To below. The option only appears when your phone and camera share the same subnet [Elektroda, nihildiximus, post #20553250]
Why do some units lose settings after a power cut even with a healthy battery?
Two field units reset after ~12 months despite a 3.3 V backup cell; the fault is likely in firmware or flash wear, not the battery [Elektroda, nihildiximus, post #20553250]
Can I unbind a second-hand camera that is still linked to the previous owner’s account?
Officially you need the original account. Without it, only LAN-mode features (RTSP, ISAPI) work [Elektroda, rusudanion, post #20556121] Third-party scripts exist but violate EZVIZ terms of service.
Are there alternative firmwares like OpenIPC for the C6C?
None are stable today. OpenIPC supports Ingenic T20/T31 chips, whereas the C6C uses an STM8S + Unknown SoC; porting is non-trivial [Elektroda, chemik_16, post #20554523]
Is the camera affected by the 2022 US FCC ban on Hikvision gear?
Yes. EZVIZ is a Hikvision brand; import to the US for government or critical infrastructure use is restricted [FCC, 2022].
What statistic shows how common RTSP is in home setups?
An IHS Markit survey found 72 % of DIY CCTV users rely on RTSP for local recording [IHS Markit, 2022].
What ports should I open or forward for remote access without the cloud?
Forward TCP 554 for RTSP and TCP 8000 for ISAPI control. Secure with strong passwords and an allow-list firewall; exposing port 80 is unnecessary because no web UI exists [Elektroda, 20553704]
Edge case: What happens if firmware removes RTSP entirely?
Some DP2C firmware builds removed the toggle, making RTSP impossible even on LAN [Elektroda, robig, post #20552929] In that case only packet capture or firmware rollback restores the stream.
How can I integrate the stream into Home Assistant?
After enabling RTSP, add a Generic MJPEG/RTSP camera in Home Assistant with rtsp://user:pass@IP:554/Streaming/Channels/101. Latency averages 300 ms on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Home Assistant Docs.
Any quick way to toggle RTSP without the mobile app?
Send an authenticated PUT to /ISAPI/System/Video/inputs/channels/1/stream/1/state via port 8000. Set <enabled>true</enabled>; credentials are your EZVIZ login Hikvision ISAPI v2.6.
How-To: Re-enable RTSP in three steps
- Connect phone and camera to the same LAN with internet.
- In EZVIZ app → Settings → Local Device Settings → Advanced → RTSP, switch to ON.
- Note the autogenerated RTSP password displayed and apply. Stream is now live.
Comments
Thanks for showing the inside. The camera is very cheap, only PLN 160. Does it send any data to an external cloud? Can you just connect to Hikvision cameras? [Read more]
Manufacturer's website (in Polish): https://www.ezviz.com/pl/product/c6c-ez360/1254 EZVIZ cloud proprietary protocol Added after 6 [minutes]: EZViZ is a brand of Hikvision, and Hikvision: ... [Read more]
Hi In addition, in recent camera firmware updates, EZVIZ began to mess with the RTSP stream, turning off the stream by default, thus "encouraging" users to use the cloud or memory cards to record events.... [Read more]
The advantage of cameras is that they are cheap. The downside is that after about a year, the two cameras do not keep the settings and after the power is cut off, they need to be reconfigured. I did not... [Read more]
Maybe a little off the topic of changing the firmware, but since the camera works on the HikVision protocol, it will work with almost any NVR (including basic PTZ functions), and this can usually be forced... [Read more]
I have a whole box of IP cameras, I'm counting on projects in the style https://github.com/OpenIPC/firmware because all these cloud freaks are the same problems, not to mention security. [Read more]
I do not know about this model, but I once had the misfortune of configuring another camera-like product from the land of rice, no www, no possibility to connect the application via LAN, preview only via... [Read more]
Hello i have two ezviz camera ,they are not unbind from account. works only in lan mode . Can i use in other mode ? [Read more]
I recently bought a similar XIAOMI Mi Home Security Camera 360 PTZ 2K Pro. How to take strim from it because I want to use it in Home Assistant. [Read more]
You can't, you need to look for alternative software. Or ride through the clouds. [Read more]
Can a friend recommend such an app? [Read more]
Adult registrars have a dedicated app, but personalized for a specific company; for example, in the case of BCS, Dahuy, these are different types of DMSS, HikVision devices have the BitVision app, personally... [Read more]
Can you tell me more about alternative software? [Read more]
It's a pity that in these cameras Ezviz does not go to set presets. [Read more]
Maybe someone will make a list of cheap outdoor IP cameras and PTZ, which can be technically configured inside the local network without external clouds and unreliable applications? This would greatly... [Read more]
How is access to a stream blocked? If strim goes through the cloud how does it work? [Read more]
When it comes to the smart IP cameras themselves, there is no blockage here. Normally, the camera's API architecture is client-based and connects to the domain name through which access to stream,... [Read more]
How can you take over strim to the cloud to view the image directly in the local network? [Read more]
This is a river topic dedicated to those who sit at CTFs. When I get such a camera, I will use wireshark to examine the packets and maybe I can somehow cheat certificates or find some very lame implementation... [Read more]