Stream Internet Cameras On Your Magic Mirror

There are several ways to stream an internet camera feed to a Magic Mirror. One way is to use a module called MMM-RTSPStream, which can be used to stream an RTSP video stream from a security camera to a Magic Mirror. Another way is to use a docker container called RTSPSimple, which can grab the RTSP stream and convert it to an HTTP stream, which can then be played via an iframe in the Magic Mirror. Additionally, one can use Home Assistant, which can pull the RTSP stream directly and provide a real-time security feed.

Use an RTSP module for MagicMirror²

The MagicMirror² module MMM-RTSPStream allows you to stream an RTSP video feed from a security camera to your MagicMirror. This module supports single or multiple camera streams/snapshots and can be used to display a live feed from an IP camera.

To use this module, you will need to install it and add the following to your config:

{ module: 'MMM-RTSPStream', position: 'middle_center', config: { initialSetup: true, } }

Then, open a web browser and navigate to:

Http://your-mirror-ip:8080/MMM-RTSPStream/config.html

Use the configuration builder tool to generate your config details, and then copy the section to your MagicMirror config.js file. Finally, restart the MagicMirror.

Note that this module is no longer actively developed, and there may be alternative options available, such as MMM-RTSPtoWeb, which relies on WebRTC and a backend server.

Use a Raspberry Pi to run Magic Mirror

To watch a stream from an internet camera on a Magic Mirror, you can use a Raspberry Pi. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set it up:

Step 1: Prepare the Raspberry Pi

Firstly, ensure you have the necessary hardware: a Raspberry Pi, a microSD card with ample storage and speed, a power supply, a display/monitor, and any other peripherals you wish to connect (such as a keyboard and mouse).

For the software, you'll need an operating system installed on the Raspberry Pi. Raspberry Pi OS is a common choice and can be installed using the Raspberry Pi Imager tool. You can also use other operating systems like Ubuntu.

Step 2: Connect the Camera

To display an IP camera feed on the Magic Mirror, you can use modules like "MMM-iFarme" or "MMM-RTSPStream." These modules support RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol), which is commonly used by IP cameras. Ensure your camera supports RTSP or has an RTSP stream available.

Step 3: Configure the Raspberry Pi

Use the following steps to configure the Raspberry Pi to run the Magic Mirror with the camera stream:

• Install the necessary packages: ffmpeg, omxplayer, vlc, devilspie2, and wmctrl. You can use the package manager on your Raspberry Pi to install these packages.
• Follow the instructions provided by the module you chose in Step 2 to configure it. This typically involves editing configuration files and specifying the camera stream URL or IP address.
• Test the camera feed by following the testing instructions provided by the module.
• Set up the Magic Mirror software on your Raspberry Pi. You can use a Magic Mirror software distribution, such as MagicMirror², which provides a platform to display various modules, including the camera stream.
• Configure the Magic Mirror software to include the camera stream module. This typically involves adding the module to the configuration file of the Magic Mirror software.
• Start the Magic Mirror software and ensure that the camera stream is displayed correctly. You may need to adjust the layout or positioning of the stream within the Magic Mirror interface.

Step 4: Run the Magic Mirror

Now that you have everything set up, you can run the Magic Mirror on your Raspberry Pi:

• Boot up your Raspberry Pi with the Magic Mirror software and connected camera.
• Log in to the Raspberry Pi (if required) and start the Magic Mirror software.
• The Magic Mirror interface should now be displayed, along with the camera stream from your IP camera.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully use a Raspberry Pi to run the Magic Mirror and display a stream from an internet camera.

Use an RTSP-to-HTTP converter

To watch a stream from an internet camera on a magic mirror, one option is to use an RTSP-to-HTTP converter. RTSP stands for Real-Time Streaming Protocol and is used to control audio/video transmission between two endpoints. While RTSP is not supported by browsers, you can use a proxy server that will convert RTSP to an HTTP stream.

Step 1: Find The RTSP Stream URL

The RTSP Stream URL typically follows a standard format:

Rtsp://user:password@IPADDRESS/Streaming/Channels/1

In the URL, replace "USER" with your username and "PASSWORD" with your password. After the "@" sign, replace "IPADDRESS" with the Local IP address of your camera. The last number in the URL can be set to either 1 for the main stream (high quality) or 2 for the sub-stream (lower quality).

Step 2: Putting It All Together

For example, if you have an IP camera with a local IP address of 192.168.1.37, a username of "admin", and a password of "1234567a", and you want to view the main stream, the corresponding URL would be:

Rtsp://admin:1234567a@192.168.1.37/Streaming/Channels/1

Step 3: Viewing On VLC Player

After installing the VLC Media Player, open the program and click on "Media" in the upper left corner. Then, select the "Open Network Stream" option and paste your RTSP URL into the window. Click "Play" to start streaming your IP camera.

Step 4: Alternative Players

While VLC is a popular option, other players such as OMXPlayer and FFmpeg can also be used to view RTSP streams. OMXPlayer is a good choice if your camera uses H.264, while FFmpeg can handle H.265 streams.

Step 5: Magic Mirror Configuration

To display your IP camera stream on a Magic Mirror, you can use modules such as MMM-RTSPStream or MMM-iFrame. These modules allow you to configure the camera stream within the Magic Mirror interface. Follow the instructions provided by the module developer to integrate your camera stream.

Use an iFrame module

To watch a stream from an internet camera on a magic mirror, one method is to use an iFrame module. This involves embedding an external web page into your own using the

In this code, the `src` attribute provides the URL of the page to be displayed, which is the stream from your internet camera. The `updateInterval` attribute specifies how often the iFrame should update, in this case every 30 seconds. You can adjust the `width` and `height` attributes to your desired dimensions.

Html

In this example, the `src` attribute contains the URL of the page to embed, and the `title` attribute provides a description of the embedded content, which is useful for users who are navigating with assistive technology such as a screen reader. The `width` and `height` attributes specify the dimensions of the iFrame in CSS pixels.

Note that there are some security concerns with iFrames as they can pose security risks if malicious elements are included in the embedded document. However, if you are sourcing content from reputable sites, this is unlikely to be an issue.

Additionally, there are some deprecated attributes that you should not use, such as `frameborder`, `marginheight`, and `marginwidth`.

To summarise, using an iFrame module is a viable option for displaying a stream from an internet camera on a magic mirror, and you can customise the embedded content using various attributes within the