What is TCP used for? When should you use a TCP connection? Does it have anything to do with Reolink cameras? This article will answer all of these questions and is divided into 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 in 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. The role of TCP in network communication is to ensure reliable data transfer. It is mainly used for applications that require high reliability and guaranteed sequence of data delivery.
2. When to Use TCP?
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When the network environment is unstable: If you are in a less-than-ideal network environment (such as weak signal or fluctuating network conditions), choosing a TCP connection can ensure reliable data transmission because TCP automatically handles issues like packet loss and out-of-order delivery, guaranteeing the reliability of the transmission.
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When data integrity is critical: If you are streaming video or monitoring footage and require the integrity and sequence of data transmission—such as in real-time surveillance or playing important video content—TCP is a more reliable choice.
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When high transmission quality is required: For example, in remote video surveillance, you may want the video feed to remain intact without distortion or loss, especially when streaming media is critical. Choosing a TCP connection helps reduce video playback stuttering or corruption.
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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, QNAP, and others are commonly used for video playback and monitoring management, often for playing network streams or connecting to cameras. These software programs typically provide two methods for transmitting video data: via TCP or UDP. When you select TCP connection, the software prioritizes using the TCP protocol to communicate with the camera, ensuring reliable video data transmission. Below are images guiding how to switch to TCP in some commonly used software. If you are using different software or cannot find this setting, you may want to consult the software's support for more information.
VLC
Synology
QNAP
In summary, this article gives you a general understanding of TCP and show you how to use the TCP feature for better preview performance when using third-party software to view your Reolink camera.