QuickCast — Video Stream Manager

QuickCast is a lightweight CLI tool for turning any phone or webcam into a secure RTSP/HLS streaming source in seconds. It’s built for developers who need a simple, no-fuss way to stream video from a camera to a local machine for processing, testing, or development.

There was no easy tool for this—so I built one.

⚠️ Early stage: QuickCast is under active development and may contain bugs. It currently uses a self-signed certificate for RTSPS, which can trigger security warnings in some clients. For production use, replace it with a certificate from a trusted CA.

What It Does

QuickCast wraps MediaMTX, a powerful RTSP/HLS server, with:

One-line CLI startup — instantly launch a secure video stream
Automatic credentials — randomly generated publisher/viewer passwords
Configuration file support - use a custom config file to manage credentials and paths if you want
Multiple streaming outputs — RTSP (low latency), RTSPS (encrypted), and HLS (browser-compatible)
Mobile-ready — plug-and-play with Larix Broadcaster or other RTSP clients for phone-based streaming

Usage Options

Python Package: For integrating streaming into your own Python projects → Found in video-feed/videofeed/
CLI-Only Tool: Standalone script for quick use → Found in cli-only/
Streamlit UI: Web-based interface for easy stream management → Found in basic-ui/streamlit_ui.py

All instructions in this README use the Python package version, it works the same way as the CLI-only script.

Prerequisites

Required Software

(Tested on macOS Sequoia 15.4.1 during development)

MediaMTX: RTSP/HLS streaming server

# macOS
brew install mediamtx

# Other platforms
# See https://github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx?tab=readme-ov-file#installation

Python 3.8+: For running the CLI tool
```
# Check your version
python3 --version
```
RTSP Client: For publishing video (Tested during development)
- Mobile: Larix Broadcaster to stream.
- Desktop: OBS Studio to view the feed.

Quickstart

Follow these steps to get started with QuickCast:

Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/soos3d/quickcast-cli.git

Set Up a Virtual Environment

Create and activate a Python virtual environment:

python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # macOS/Linux
# or
.\venv\Scripts\activate   # Windows

Install Dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

Enabling Secure RTSPS Streaming

By default, QuickCast provides both RTSP and RTSPS endpoints. To enable secure RTSPS streaming:

Generate a Self-Signed Certificate

cd video-feed
openssl genrsa -out server.key 2048
openssl req -new -x509 -sha256 -key server.key -out server.crt -days 3650

Move both server.key and server.crt into the same directory as feed_cli.py (should already be there if following the commands above).

⚠️ Note: Self-signed certificates may trigger warnings in some clients. For production environments, use a certificate issued by a trusted Certificate Authority.

Start the RTSP/HLS Server

The feed_cli.py tool provides a simple way to manage your MediaMTX server:

python3 video-feed/feed_cli.py run

This command will start the RTSP/HLS server and display connection information. Here is an example:

⏳ Starting MediaMTX ...

📹 Stream Path: video/iphone-1

📲 Encrypted RTSPS Publishing:
Use in phone apps (e.g. Larix Broadcaster) or other cameras - encrypted
  URL: rtsps://<host>:8322/video/iphone-1
  User: publisher
  Pass: <password>

📺 Encrypted RTSPS Viewing:
Use in OBS or other video platform- encrypted
  URL: rtsps://viewer:<password>@<host>:8322/video/iphone-1
  • VLC: File > Open Network > rtsps://viewer:<password>@<host>:8322/video/iphone-1
  • OBS: Souces > + > Media Source > Uncheck local File > add RTSP URL to input >
 rtsps://viewer:<password>@<host>:8322/video/iphone-1

🌐 HLS Viewing (browser):
Use in OBS or other video platform- encrypted
  URL: http://<host>:8888/video/iphone-1/index.m3u8
  Auth: viewer / <password>
  Direct URL: http://viewer:<password>@<host>:8888/video/iphone-1/index.m3u8

🎥 Unencrypted RTSP Connection Settings:
Use in phone apps (e.g. Larix Broadcaster) or other cameras - unencrypted
   URL: rtsp://<host>:8554/video/iphone-1
   Username: publisher
   Password: <password>

🎥 Unencrypted RTSP viewing Settings:
Use in phone apps (e.g. Larix Broadcaster) or other cameras - unencrypted

👀 Viewer URL (embedded credentials):
Use in OBS or other video platform- unencrypted
   rtsp://viewer:<password>@<host>:8554/video/iphone-1

Press Ctrl+C to quit.

Now simply use the RTSP connection settings to set up your phone or camera to stream to the server. Use the viewer URL to view the stream in any RTSP player like OBS or VLC.

Here is a video on how to set up Larix Broadcaster to stream to the server: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhj0_QbtfTw

Streamlit Web Interface

QuickCast includes a basic web-based interface built with Streamlit for easy testing. You can use this provider UI or use the privded view URL to view the stream in any RTSP player like OBS or VLC.

⚠️ This UI is meant to be used as a quick test tool and is not recommended for production use. There are many features missing and it is not secure. (for example credentials are stored in the browser's local storage and are not encrypted, uses http instead of https, etc.)

Running the UI

Start the Streamlit interface:

cd basic-ui
streamlit run streamlit_ui.py

Open your browser to the displayed URL (typically http://localhost:8501)
Enter your stream URL and viewer credentials in the sidebar (it now defaults to the standard http://localhost:8888/video/iphone-1/index.m3u8)

Use the same credential provided by the CLI or your custom config file

Use the Advanced Settings to configure buffer length and reconnection behavior for optimal playback

Managing Credentials

Credentials are securely stored in your system's keychain:

# Reset stored publisher/viewer credentials
python3 video-feed/feed_cli.py reset-creds

Server CLI Usage

Use the --help flag to list available commands and options:

python3 video-feed/feed_cli.py run --help

Available commands

The feed_cli.py tool provides a simple way to manage your MediaMTX server:

Those are the available commands (assumes you are in the video-feed directory):

By default, the server binds to all interfaces (LAN + localhost). Pass --bind 127.0.0.1 to restrict access to this machine only.

# Default: bind to all interfaces (LAN + localhost)
python3 video-feed/feed_cli.py run

# Restrict to local-only (loopback)
python3 video-feed/feed_cli.py run --bind 127.0.0.1

# Change the RTSP path (default: video/iphone-1)
python3 video-feed/feed_cli.py run  --path video/camera1

# Use multiple paths (specify --path multiple times)
python3 video-feed/feed_cli.py run  --path video/camera1 --path video/camera2

# Show full configuration details (includes credentials be careful)
python3 video-feed/feed_cli.py run --verbose

# Use a custom config file
python3 video-feed/feed_cli.py run --config ./my-config.yml

# Expose JSON path API (use to to fetch available paths)
python3 video-feed/feed_cli.py run --api-port 3333

Using as a Python Package

You can also use video-feed as a Python package in your own projects:

# Import specific modules
from videofeed.credentials import get_credentials
from videofeed.config import create_config
from videofeed.network import detect_host_ip
from videofeed.server import launch_mediamtx

# Example: Get streaming credentials
creds = get_credentials()
print(f"Publisher: {creds['publish_user']}:{creds['publish_pass']}")
print(f"Viewer: {creds['read_user']}:{creds['read_pass']}")

# Example: Create streaming config
host_ip = detect_host_ip()
paths = ["video/camera1"]
config = create_config(host_ip, paths, creds)

# Use other functionality as needed

The modular package structure makes it easy to integrate streaming capabilities into your Python applications without having to run the CLI directly.

Manual Configuration

If you prefer to run the server with your own configuration file, create a mediamtx.yml.

Here is an example (you manage the credentials here):

# Server configuration
paths:
  video/iphone-1:
    source: publisher

# Network & protocol settings
rtspAddress: 0.0.0.0:8554
rtsp: true
hls: true

rtspEncryption: optional
rtspServerKey: server.key # Path to your TLS key
rtspServerCert: server.crt # Path to your TLS certificate

# Authentication configuration
authInternalUsers:
  - user: publisher
    pass: YOUR_PUBLISHER_PASSWORD
    permissions:
      - action: publish
        path: video/iphone-1
  - user: viewer
    pass: YOUR_VIEWER_PASSWORD
    permissions:
      - action: read
        path: video/iphone-1

You can also configure multiple paths in the same config file:

# MediaMTX configuration with multiple stream paths

# Network & protocol settings
rtspAddress: 0.0.0.0:8554
rtsp: true
hls: true

rtspEncryption: optional
rtspServerKey: server.key # Path to your TLS key
rtspServerCert: server.crt # Path to your TLS certificate

# Multiple stream paths
paths:
  front-gate:
    source: publisher
  back-yard:
    source: publisher

# Authentication users
authInternalUsers:
  - user: publisher
    pass: test_publisher_pass
    permissions:
      - action: publish
        path: front-gate
      - action: publish
        path: back-yard

  - user: viewer
    pass: test_viewer_pass
    permissions:
      - action: read
        path: front-gate
      - action: playback
        path: front-gate
      - action: read
        path: back-yard
      - action: playback
        path: back-yard

Streaming Setup

Publishing Video

When the server starts, it displays connection information:

🎥 RTSP Connection Settings:
   URL: rtsp://192.168.x.x:8554/video/iphone-1
   Username: publisher
   Password: abc123xyz789

In Larix Broadcaster or any other RTSP client:
- Open app settings → Connections → Add New → RTSP
- Enter the URL, username, and password shown in the terminal
- Start streaming from the camera interface

Viewing the Stream

Use the viewer URL provided when starting the server:

👀 Viewer URL (embedded credentials):
   rtsp://viewer:[email protected]:8554/video/iphone-1

Open this URL in OBS or any RTSP-compatible player:
- OBS: click + in the Sources panel → select Media Source → name it (e.g. “RTSP Camera”) → click OK, then uncheck “Local File” → paste the URL.
- FFPLAY: ffplay rtsp://viewer:[email protected]:8554/video/iphone-1

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Authentication errors: Ensure you're using the correct credentials shown in the terminal
No connection: Make sure your device and streaming server are on the same network
Port issues: Default RTSP port is 8554, HLS on 8888
"No stream available": The publisher hasn't connected or started streaming yet

Network Setup

Find your computer's IP address:

ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1

Ensure your firewall allows traffic on ports 8554 (RTSP) and 8888 (HLS)

Name		Name	Last commit message	Last commit date
Latest commit History 21 Commits
basic-ui		basic-ui
cli-only		cli-only
video-feed		video-feed
.gitattributes		.gitattributes
.gitignore		.gitignore
LICENSE		LICENSE
README.md		README.md
requirements.txt		requirements.txt

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Repository files navigation

QuickCast — Video Stream Manager

What It Does

Usage Options

Prerequisites

Required Software

Quickstart

Enabling Secure RTSPS Streaming

Streamlit Web Interface

Running the UI

Managing Credentials

Server CLI Usage

Available commands

Using as a Python Package

Manual Configuration

Streaming Setup

Publishing Video

Viewing the Stream

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Network Setup

About

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soos3d/quickcast-cli

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QuickCast — Video Stream Manager

What It Does

Usage Options

Prerequisites

Required Software

Quickstart

Enabling Secure RTSPS Streaming

Streamlit Web Interface

Running the UI

Managing Credentials

Server CLI Usage

Available commands

Using as a Python Package

Manual Configuration

Streaming Setup

Publishing Video

Viewing the Stream

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Network Setup

About

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