When previewing your Reolink camera, adjusting the stream mode is essential for achieving the best live-view experience. By selecting the right settings, you can ensure a clear and fluid display, enhancing your overall monitoring and capturing capabilities.

Applies to: All Reolink cameras.

What Are Stream Modes?

Mode Description Recommended When
Clear Highest image quality. Your network is strong and stable.
Balanced

Medium quality and performance.

*Available on certain camera models only.

 You want a good mix of clarity and smoothness.
Fluent Lowest image quality, smoothest performance. Your network is unstable or slow.

💡 By default, the stream mode is set to "Fluent" to ensure smooth live viewing. Switching to “Clear” gives you a sharper image but requires a stronger network. If the video freezes or lags, use “Fluent” or “Balanced” mode instead.

When recording to an SD card or HDD, the camera records both main and sub streams. You can also select the desired stream type during playback to view recordings from either stream.

How to Change Stream Mode in Live View

Method 1. Via Reolink App

  • Open the Reolink App, go to the camera Live View page.

  • Tap the stream type icon low to switch modes.

change mode

Method 2. Via Reolink Client

  1. Launch the Reolink Client, move your mouse to camera's live stream window.

  2. Right-click and select Clear / Balanced / Fluent.

  3. You can also switch stream mode via the icon on the Live View toolbar.

Note: Clear mode is only available in single-screen view.

right click the mouse

select the mode

Here is a video for your reference.

Method 3. Via Reolink Web browser

👉 Applies to: Available only for cameras that support web access.

  1. Access your camera via a web browser.

  2. Click the Low button at the bottom-left of the preview window.

  3. Choose between Fluent, Balanced, or Clear depending on your network.

web change stream mode

For TrackMix series or RLC-81MA, you can view the two lenses one by one by changing the stream mode:

web track

Note:
Some high-resolution camera models may not support main stream preview for resolutions of 8MP or higher on the web browser. This feature is currently available only for standalone cameras with firmware released after December 2024.

If you cannot preview the main stream, please check the following:

  1. Confirm that your camera firmware version is from December 2024 or later, and verify if a new firmware is available for your model.

  2. Make sure you are using the latest version of Google Chrome.

If playback is still unavailable, your computer’s graphics card may not support decoding high-resolution video. In this case, it’s recommended to use the Reolink App or Client to view the main stream.

FAQs

  • I want to preview in Clear mode when using multi-screen view. How can I set it?

    In multi-screen view, the stream mode is automatically set to Fluent for smoother performance. Clear mode is only available in single-screen view.

  • Why don’t I see any stream mode option on my camera?

    Make sure your App or Client is updated to the latest version. If the option still doesn’t appear, click Submit a request below to contact Reolink Support for further assistance.

  • Can I switch the camera stream on a monitor connected to the NVR?

    No, the monitor does not support stream switching. By default, the main stream is used in single-screen view, and the substream is used in multi-screen view.

  • I see no image when previewing my camera.

    Refer to Reolink Camera Connected But No Preview Available for troubleshooting steps.

If you have any questions, click “Submit a request” below to contact the Reolink Support Team.