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OpenTAK ICU

OpenTAK ICU is a video streaming app based on RootEncoder that can stream audio and video to RTSP(S), RTMP(S), and SRT servers such as MediaMTX. Its primary focus is to work with the TAK ecosystem.

Why?

While ATAK already has the TAK ICU plugin, it doesn’t seem to support a few features. Specifically it doesn’t support streaming audio or using authentication and encryption (RTSPS) at the same time.

Download

Get the APK from this repo’s latest release

Features

  • Video Codecs

    • H264

    • H265

    • AV1

  • Audio Codecs

    • AAC

    • G711

    • OPUS

  • Streaming protocols

    • RTSP

    • RTSPS

    • RTMP

    • RTMPS

    • SRT (SRT does not yet support authentication)

    • Multicast UDP

  • Authentication

  • Servers with self-signed certificates

  • Background streaming and recording - Continue streaming and recording audio and video even if the app is minimized or the screen is off.

  • Record video to the device while streaming

  • Take photos while recording or streaming

  • Change between front and back cameras during stream

  • Adaptive bitrate

  • UVC Cameras

  • Optional text overlay with GPS location and timestamp

  • Support for devices with built-in IR cameras

    • Tested on the Ulefone Armor X13, Armor 22, and Armor 26 Ultra

    • Requires root

  • Video filters

Planned features

  • KLV

  • Stream your device’s screen instead of camera

Servers

This app has been developed using MediaMTX as the streaming server but any RTSP/RTMP server should work.

Viewing OpenTAK ICU streams from MediaMTX in ATAK

In the video tool, tap the + symbol to add a new stream and use the following settings:

  • Type: rtsp

  • Address: Your server’s IP address or domain name

  • Port: The defaults are 8554 for RTSP and 8322 for RTSPS

  • Path: The stream’s path that is set in OpenTAK ICU’s settings

  • Username/Password: Required only if your server enforces authentication

  • Reliable P2P Connection: Enables a TCP connection and is required if there is a NAT/firewall between your EUD and the server.

Viewing the stream in a browser

When using MediaMTX and streaming with H264, you can watch the live stream in a browser by going to

http://your_server_ip:8888/stream_path

for an HLS stream or

http://your_server_ip:8889/stream_path

for a WebRTC stream. Note that most browsers don’t yet support H265. See CanIUse for details. Also note that WebRTC does not support AAC audio so you will need to use OPUS or G711 if you’re viewing the stream via WebRTC.

Viewing streams in VLC

  1. Click on Media -> Open Network Stream

  2. In the URL field enter rtsp://your_server_address:8554/your_path

  3. Click Play

Adaptive Bitrate

When adaptive bitrate is enabled, the video bitrate will change based on your network/internet connection. If the connection can’t send packets fast enough, the bitrate will lower. If the connection is good the bitrate will max out at what the bitrate setting’s value is.

Servers with self-signed certificates

If your server is using self signed certificates and you wish to stream encrypted audio and video, you’ll need your server’s trust store certificate in PKCS12 (.p12 file extension) format. If your RTSP server is using the same certificates as your TAK server, you can use the same trust store certificate and certificate password in OpenTAK ICU. After selecting the certificate and providing the certificate password, press the Test Certificate button. This simply validates that the certificate is the correct format and that the password is correct.

Feature Comparison

Streaming Protocols

TAK ICU

OpenTAK ICU

RTSP

Yes

Yes

RTSPS

No

Yes

RTMP

No

Yes

RTMPS

No

Yes

SRT

No

Yes

Multicast UDP

Yes

Yes

Video Codecs

TAK ICU

OpenTAK ICU

H264

Yes

Yes

H265

No

Yes

AV1

No

Yes

Audio Codecs

TAK ICU

OpenTAK ICU

AAC

No

Yes

G711

No

Yes

OPUS

No

Yes

Other Features

TAK ICU

OpenTAK ICU

Broadcast CoT on local network

Yes

Yes

Send CoT to TAK server

No

Yes

Show video on map (KLV)

Yes

No

View video in ATAK/WinTAK video tool

Yes

Yes

Stream to Wowza

Yes

No

Stream in background

Yes

Yes

Take a photo while streaming

Yes

Yes

Switch camera while streaming

No

Yes

Turn on flashlight while streaming

No

Yes

Record to device while streaming

Yes

Yes

Change Video/Audio bitrate

No

Yes

Adaptive Bitrate

No

Yes

1080p

No

Yes

4K

Yes

Yes

Change FPS

No

Yes

Compass Display

Yes

No

Server Authentication

Yes (only when using RTSP)

Yes (RTSP(S) and RTMP(S)

UVC Camera Support

No

Yes

Video Filters

No

Yes

Text Overlay

No

Yes