What other factors can adversely affect my viewing experience with the DVR?
Along with slow upload speeds, heavy internet usage by other users or computers on the network (FTP uploads, bulk emailing, virus infected networks) and bad connection lines can affect viewing speed. Also, using a VPN connection (Virtual Private Networking) to access the DVR can add “overhead” to the connection that can impair viewing performance. If you restrict access to your network by using a VPN connection, we recommend either procuring a separate internet connection for the DVR itself, or using other network segregation techniques such as VLANs to separate the DVR from your main network so that it can be accessed without the use of a VPN client.
What kind of internet connection is best?
Almost any internet connection with a sufficient upload speed will suffice. In general, we find that Cable Internet and T1 connections work best. DSL appears to be cost effective at first, but what we find is that while DSL companies advertise fast download speed, they make up for it by giving you very slow upload speeds when compared to other types of services. Be sure to ask whatever vendor you use for your internet connection what kind of upload speed you are getting, and what options you have for upgrading it if it is below 256kb.
How fast of an upload speed should I get for my DVR connection?
We recommend a minimum of 256kb upload for small networks with light usage (5 or less other computers using the same internet connection), and 384kb or more for larger networks, or if you also run other internet services on the same line as the DVR (i.e. ecommerce web servers, email servers, FTP servers, etc.)
What is the difference between Upload and Download speed?
Relative to wherever you are accessing the internet from, download speed is how fast you can transfer data from across the internet to your location. Upload speed is how fast you can send up data from your location to the internet.
Which is more important to me? Download or Upload speed?
Upload speed at the DVR site is more important when it comes to viewing the DVR from a remote location because the DVR has to upload camera images to wherever you are at. The faster the upload connection a DVR has, the faster it can feed you images.
What services does AVS Systems offer to help me get my DVR “online”?
Our CCTV experts are standing by to answer any video questions that you may have.
