What is TCP, and what is it used for? When should you use a TCP connection? Does it have anything to do with Reolink cameras? This article will answer all these questions in the following three sections:
3. Practical Applications of TCP with Reolink Cameras
1. What is TCP?
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a connection-oriented, reliable communication protocol widely used on the Internet and computer networks. It is part of the transport layer and, together with IP (Internet Protocol), forms the TCP/IP protocol suite, which is the foundation for data transmission on the Internet. TCP ensures reliable data transfer in network communication, typically used for applications that demand high reliability and ordered data delivery.
2. When to Use TCP?
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When the network environment is unstable: If you are in a challenging network environment (weak signals or fluctuating network conditions), choosing a TCP connection can ensure reliable data transmission because TCP automatically handles issues such as packet loss and out-of-order delivery, guaranteeing the reliability of the transmission.
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When data integrity is critical: For real-time surveillance or streaming important video content, where data integrity and sequence are crucial, a TCP connection is the more reliable choice.
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When high transmission quality is required: For remote video surveillance where clear, uninterrupted live streaming is essential, a TCP connection ensures smooth footage.
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To prevent video packet loss: If you're using RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) streams, which are common in video streaming, and the network quality is poor or the packet loss rate is high, using TCP connections can help ensure the integrity of the video stream because TCP automatically requests retransmission of lost packets.
3. Practical Applications of TCP with Reolink Cameras
Software like VLC, Synology, and QNAP are commonly used for video playback and surveillance management. They typically offer two methods for transmitting video data: TCP and UDP. By selecting TCP connection, the software prioritizes the TCP protocol for reliable video transmission. Below are images showing how to switch to TCP in popular software. If you are using different software or cannot find this setting, contact the support team for assistance.
VLC:
Synology:
QNAP:
In summary, this article provides a general understanding of TCP and how to use TCP for enhanced streaming performance when using third-party software to view your Reolink camera.