How to Fix Poor Video Quality on Your Ezviz Camera
While Ezviz cameras are known for providing clear and reliable video, you may occasionally experience issues like pixelation, blurriness, or a choppy live stream. Poor video quality can make it difficult to identify faces or details, reducing the effectiveness of your security monitoring. The good news is that most of these problems are related to network conditions or simple settings, and can be easily fixed.
This guide will walk you through the most common causes of poor video quality and provide you with a clear, step-by-step process to diagnose and improve your camera's performance.
### Understanding Video Quality Settings
Before we start troubleshooting, it's important to know that Ezviz cameras offer different video quality modes. These are typically found in the camera's settings within the Ezviz app and may include:
- Basic / Fluent: The lowest quality setting, designed to provide a smooth stream even on very poor network connections. It uses the least amount of data.
- Standard: A balance between quality and performance.
- Hi-Def / Ultra HD: The highest quality setting, providing the sharpest and most detailed image. This mode requires a strong, stable Wi-Fi signal and more internet bandwidth.
Your camera may be automatically switching to a lower quality mode to compensate for network issues.
### Common Symptoms of Poor Video Quality
- The video image appears blocky or pixelated.
- The live stream frequently freezes, stutters, or lags.
- The colours look washed out or incorrect.
- The image is generally soft, blurry, or out of focus.
- The video quality is fine during the day but poor at night.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Video Quality
Let's start with the most common and impactful solutions first.
### 1. Check and Adjust In-App Quality Settings
The first place to look is within the Ezviz app itself.
- Open the Ezviz app and select the camera you want to improve.
- Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to open the settings.
- Look for an option named "Video Quality" or similar.
- Select the highest possible setting, such as "Hi-Def" or "Ultra HD".
- Return to the live view and see if the image quality has improved. If the stream becomes unstable, your network may not be strong enough for this setting, and you should proceed to the next step.
### 2. Strengthen Your Wi-Fi Connection
The single biggest cause of poor video quality is a weak Wi-Fi signal.
- Check Signal Strength: Look for a Wi-Fi signal indicator in the camera's settings in the app. If the signal is weak (e.g., one or two bars), the camera is too far from your router.
- Move Closer: Try moving the camera closer to your Wi-Fi router. If this is not practical, consider moving the router to a more central location in your home.
- Use a Wi-Fi Extender: If you cannot move the camera or router, a Wi-Fi range extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system can be used to boost the signal in the area where your camera is installed.
- Reduce Interference: Keep the camera and router away from large metal objects and appliances that can cause signal interference, like microwave ovens or refrigerators.
### 3. Reduce Network Congestion
Your internet connection is a shared resource. If too many devices are using it at once, there may not be enough bandwidth for your camera to stream in high quality.
- Check Other Devices: Are other people in your household streaming 4K movies, downloading large files, or online gaming?
- Pause Other Activities: Try temporarily pausing these high-bandwidth activities and check your Ezviz camera's video feed again. If the quality improves, you may need to manage your network's usage or consider upgrading your internet plan.
### 4. Clean the Camera Lens
A physically dirty lens can cause a blurry or hazy image that can be mistaken for poor digital quality.
- Use a soft, clean microfibre cloth to gently wipe the camera's lens.
- For outdoor cameras, check for and remove any spiderwebs, dust, or dried water spots.
### 5. Update Firmware
Ezviz regularly releases firmware updates that can include performance improvements and bug fixes related to video streaming.
- In the camera's settings within the Ezviz app, look for a "Device Version" or "Firmware Update" section.
- If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
By following these steps, you can systematically address the root causes of poor video quality and restore the sharp, clear image you expect from your Ezviz camera.