How to Add Vivint Doorbell Camera to Tinycam App

Adding your Vivint doorbell camera to the Tinycam app lets you view live footage, receive motion alerts, and control your doorbell from one convenient platform. This guide walks you through every step—from setup to troubleshooting—so you can enjoy seamless integration and enhanced home monitoring.

Key Takeaways

Compatibility Check: Ensure your Vivint doorbell supports RTSP or ONVIF streaming, as Tinycam relies on these protocols for third-party camera integration.
Use a Bridge Device: Since Vivint doesn’t natively support Tinycam, you’ll need a compatible bridge like a Raspberry Pi or Synology NAS to convert the stream.
Enable RTSP on Vivint: Access your Vivint system settings via the Vivint app or web portal to turn on RTSP streaming if available.
Configure Tinycam Properly: Enter the correct RTSP URL, username, and password in Tinycam to connect successfully.
Test and Troubleshoot: Always test the connection and adjust network settings if you experience lag or disconnections.
Enhance Security: Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication on both Vivint and Tinycam to protect your feed.
Enjoy Unified Monitoring: Once connected, manage your doorbell alongside other cameras in Tinycam for a centralized security hub.

How to Add Vivint Doorbell Camera to Tinycam App

If you’re a Vivint doorbell camera owner looking to expand your smart home monitoring options, you might be wondering: Can I add my Vivint doorbell to the Tinycam app? The answer is yes—but it’s not as simple as tapping “add camera” in the app. Unlike brands that offer direct integration, Vivint uses a closed ecosystem, which means you’ll need to use a bit of tech-savvy workarounds to get your doorbell streaming into Tinycam.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of connecting your Vivint doorbell camera to the Tinycam app. You’ll learn what tools you need, how to enable streaming protocols, configure your network, and troubleshoot common issues. By the end, you’ll have a seamless setup that lets you monitor your front door from anywhere—right inside the Tinycam interface.

Whether you’re using Tinycam on Android or iOS, this step-by-step tutorial will help you unlock the full potential of your Vivint doorbell. Let’s get started!

Why Use Tinycam with Your Vivint Doorbell?

Before diving into the technical steps, it’s worth understanding why you’d want to use Tinycam in the first place. Tinycam Monitor is a popular third-party camera app that supports hundreds of IP cameras, NVRs, and DVRs. It offers features like motion detection, cloud recording, multi-camera viewing, and remote access—all in one clean interface.

While Vivint’s native app is solid, it lacks some of the advanced customization and multi-camera management tools that Tinycam provides. By connecting your Vivint doorbell to Tinycam, you can:

– View your doorbell feed alongside other security cameras (like backyard or garage cams)
– Set up custom motion zones and alerts
– Record footage locally or to the cloud
– Use Tinycam’s widgets and live wallpaper features
– Access your camera from multiple devices without logging into the Vivint app each time

In short, Tinycam gives you more control, flexibility, and convenience—especially if you already use it for other cameras.

What You’ll Need

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

A Vivint Doorbell Camera: Models like the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro or standard Vivint Doorbell Camera are compatible, but only if they support RTSP or ONVIF streaming.
A Smart Hub or Bridge Device: Since Vivint doesn’t natively support Tinycam, you’ll need a device that can act as a bridge. Options include:
- Raspberry Pi (3 or 4 recommended)
- Synology NAS with Surveillance Station
- Unraid server with Docker
- Old Android phone or tablet running IP Webcam app
Access to Your Vivint Account: You’ll need login credentials to enable RTSP streaming.
Tinycam App Installed: Download Tinycam Monitor from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Stable Wi-Fi Network: Both your Vivint doorbell and bridge device should be on the same network for best performance.
Basic Networking Knowledge: You should be comfortable finding IP addresses, accessing router settings, and using apps like Fing or IP Scanner.

Step 1: Check Vivint Doorbell Compatibility

Not all Vivint doorbell cameras support RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol), which is required for Tinycam integration. RTSP allows third-party apps to pull video streams directly from the camera.

To check if your model supports RTSP:

Log Into Your Vivint Account

Open the Vivint app or go to vivint.com and sign in with your credentials. Navigate to your doorbell camera settings.

Visual guide about How to Add Vivint Doorbell Camera to Tinycam App

Image source: storables.com

Look for RTSP or Streaming Options

In the camera settings, look for options like “Advanced Settings,” “Streaming,” or “Developer Options.” If you see an option to enable RTSP or ONVIF, your camera supports it. Unfortunately, many Vivint models do not expose this feature to end users by default.

Contact Vivint Support (If Needed)

If you don’t see RTSP options, contact Vivint customer support and ask if your specific doorbell model supports RTSP streaming. Some users have reported success after requesting access, especially for professional monitoring customers.

Note: As of 2024, Vivint has limited RTSP support to certain enterprise or pro-installed systems. If your camera doesn’t support RTSP, you may need to use a workaround like screen mirroring or a secondary camera pointed at the doorbell feed (not ideal, but possible).

Step 2: Set Up a Bridge Device

Since Vivint doesn’t allow direct Tinycam integration, you’ll need a bridge device to convert the Vivint stream into a format Tinycam can understand. The most reliable method is using a Raspberry Pi with software like rtsp-simple-server or MotionEyeOS.

Option A: Use a Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, powerful mini-computer perfect for this task. Here’s how to set it up:

Install Raspberry Pi OS: Download the latest Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian) from the official website and flash it to a microSD card using Balena Etcher.
Connect to Wi-Fi: Insert the SD card, connect the Pi to power and your router via Ethernet (or Wi-Fi), and boot it up.
Enable SSH and VNC (Optional): This lets you control the Pi remotely. Use the Raspberry Pi Configuration tool to enable these features.

Install rtsp-simple-server: Open the terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y wget
wget https://github.com/aler9/rtsp-simple-server/releases/download/v0.21.5/rtsp-simple-server_v0.21.5_linux_armv7.tar.gz
tar -xzf rtsp-simple-server_v0.21.5_linux_armv7.tar.gz
sudo mv rtsp-simple-server /usr/local/bin/

Create a Configuration File: Create a file called rtsp.yml in your home directory with the following content:
```
paths:
  vivint-doorbell:
    source: rtsp://your-vivint-rtsp-url
    sourceProtocol: tcp
```
Replace your-vivint-rtsp-url with the actual RTSP URL from Vivint (we’ll get this next).
Start the Server: Run rtsp-simple-server rtsp.yml to start the streaming bridge.

Option B: Use a Synology NAS

If you have a Synology NAS, you can use Surveillance Station to pull the Vivint stream and re-stream it via RTSP.

Open Surveillance Station and go to IP Camera > Add > New Camera.
Select Manual Adding and choose Generic RTSP Camera.
Enter the Vivint RTSP URL, username, and password.
Once added, go to Live View > Streaming and enable RTSP streaming.
Note the new RTSP URL provided by Synology (e.g., rtsp://[NAS_IP]:554/Syno/...).

Option C: Use an Old Android Device

If you don’t have a Pi or NAS, you can use an old Android phone with the IP Webcam app to mirror the Vivint feed.

Install IP Webcam from the Google Play Store.
Open the app and start the server. It will display an IP address (e.g., http://192.168.1.100:8080).
Use a screen mirroring app (like Scrcpy or Vysor) to display the Vivint app feed on the Android device.
In Tinycam, add a new camera using the IP Webcam stream URL.

Note: This method is less reliable and may have lag, but it’s a budget-friendly option.

Step 3: Enable RTSP on Your Vivint Doorbell

Now that your bridge is ready, you need to get the RTSP stream from your Vivint doorbell.

Find the RTSP URL

The RTSP URL typically follows this format:

rtsp://[username]:[password]@[camera-ip]:554/stream1

But Vivint doesn’t publicly share this info. Here’s how to find it:

Check Vivint App Settings: Go to your doorbell camera > Advanced Settings > Streaming. If RTSP is enabled, the URL may be displayed.
Use Network Scanning Tools: Apps like Fing or IP Scanner can detect devices on your network. Look for your Vivint doorbell’s IP address.
Contact Vivint Support: Ask for the RTSP credentials. Some users have received them after explaining they want to integrate with third-party apps.
Use Default Credentials: Try common defaults like:
- Username: admin
- Password: admin or your Vivint account password

Test the RTSP Stream

Before adding it to Tinycam, test the stream using VLC Media Player:

Open VLC and go to Media > Open Network Stream.
Paste the RTSP URL and click Play.
If you see video, the stream is working.

If it doesn’t work, double-check the IP, username, and password. Also, ensure your firewall isn’t blocking port 554.

Step 4: Add the Camera to Tinycam

Now for the fun part—adding your Vivint doorbell to Tinycam!

Open Tinycam Monitor

Launch the Tinycam app on your phone or tablet.

Add a New Camera

Tap the + icon or Add Camera.
Select Generic RTSP Camera.

Enter Camera Details

Fill in the following fields:

Name: Vivint Doorbell
URL: The RTSP URL from your bridge device (e.g., rtsp://192.168.1.50:8554/vivint-doorbell)
Username: Leave blank or enter bridge credentials if required
Password: Leave blank or enter bridge password
Protocol: RTSP
Port: 554 (default)

Test the Connection

Tap Test to verify the stream. If successful, you’ll see a preview.

Save and View

Tap Save, and your Vivint doorbell will appear in the camera list. Tap it to view the live feed.

Step 5: Optimize and Customize

Once connected, take advantage of Tinycam’s features:

Enable Motion Detection

Go to camera settings > Motion Detection.
Adjust sensitivity and set up alerts.
Choose to receive push notifications when motion is detected.

Set Up Recording

Enable Cloud Recording (if subscribed) or Local Recording to save footage.
Schedule recordings for specific times (e.g., nighttime only).

Use Multi-Camera View

Create a camera group to view your doorbell alongside other cameras.
Use the grid view to monitor multiple feeds at once.

Adjust Video Quality

In camera settings, choose High, Medium, or Low quality based on your bandwidth.
Lower quality reduces lag on slower networks.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful setup, you might run into problems. Here’s how to fix the most common ones:

No Video or Black Screen

Check the RTSP URL for typos.
Verify the bridge device is running and accessible.
Ensure the Vivint doorbell is online and streaming.
Restart the bridge server and Tinycam app.

Lag or Buffering

Reduce video quality in Tinycam settings.
Move the bridge device closer to the router.
Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi.
Close other apps using bandwidth.

Authentication Failed

Double-check username and password.
Try resetting the bridge device’s credentials.
Ensure the Vivint camera allows external access.

Camera Disconnects Frequently

Check for IP address conflicts (assign a static IP to the bridge).
Update firmware on your router and bridge device.
Disable power-saving modes on the bridge.

Tinycam Crashes or Freezes

Update Tinycam to the latest version.
Clear the app cache in your device settings.
Restart your phone or tablet.

Security Tips

When integrating third-party apps with your security system, security is crucial:

Use Strong Passwords: Never use default credentials. Create unique, complex passwords for your Vivint account and bridge device.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your Vivint and Tinycam accounts.
Update Firmware Regularly: Keep your Vivint doorbell, bridge device, and router updated to patch vulnerabilities.
Limit Network Access: Place your bridge device on a separate VLAN or guest network to isolate it from personal devices.
Monitor Access Logs: Check who’s accessing your camera feeds and revoke unused permissions.

Conclusion

Adding your Vivint doorbell camera to the Tinycam app isn’t straightforward, but it’s absolutely possible with the right tools and know-how. By using a bridge device like a Raspberry Pi or Synology NAS, enabling RTSP streaming, and configuring Tinycam correctly, you can enjoy a unified, feature-rich monitoring experience.

This setup gives you more control over your home security, lets you integrate multiple cameras, and unlocks advanced features like motion zones and cloud recording. While it requires some technical effort, the payoff is worth it for anyone serious about smart home monitoring.

Remember to test each step, secure your network, and keep your software updated. With patience and persistence, you’ll have your Vivint doorbell streaming seamlessly in Tinycam—no more switching between apps to check who’s at the door.

Now go ahead, give it a try, and take your home security to the next level!