RTSP, or real-time streaming protocol, is a network control protocol designed for controlling streaming media servers. It is used for establishing and controlling media sessions between endpoints. RTSP is typically employed in conjunction with RTP (real-time protocol) for transporting the actual multimedia data, although it can be used with other protocols as well.
Key characteristics and functionalities of RTSP include:
Session establishment and control: RTSP facilitates the initiation and management of multimedia sessions between a client and a server. This includes commands for starting, pausing, resuming, and terminating media streams.
Media resource identification: RTSP allows clients to specify the location and characteristics of the media content they wish to access. This can include URLs or other identifiers for streaming media files.
Media delivery control: Clients can control the delivery of media content using RTSP commands. This includes functions like play, pause, seek, and stop.
Support for various media types: RTSP is designed to support various types of streaming media, including audio, video, and other multimedia formats.
Client-server architecture: RTSP follows a client-server architecture where the client sends requests to the server, and the server responds accordingly. This allows for flexibility in how media sessions are managed and controlled.
Stateful protocol: RTSP maintains state between client and server during a session, allowing for efficient control and management of ongoing media streams.
Overall, RTSP plays a crucial role in enabling the efficient delivery and control of streaming media content over networks, making it an essential component of many multimedia streaming systems and applications.