Real Time Streaming Protocol
Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) is a network control protocol designed for use in entertainment and communications systems to control streaming media servers. It establishes and manages media sessions between endpoints, allowing clients to issue commands like play, pause, and record for audio and video streams. RTSP is often used in conjunction with RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) for data delivery and RTCP (RTP Control Protocol) for quality monitoring.
Developers should learn RTSP when building or integrating systems that require real-time control over streaming media, such as IP cameras, video-on-demand services, or live broadcasting applications. It is essential for scenarios where precise control over media playback (e.g., seeking, pausing) is needed, unlike simpler streaming protocols that only deliver data. RTSP is widely used in surveillance systems, online education platforms, and media servers due to its standardized control capabilities.