Is Your Netatmo Camera Video Pixelated or Blurry?
Netatmo smart cameras, including the popular Welcome and Presence models, are known for their excellent design and sharp, Full HD video quality. So, it can be extremely disappointing when you open the app to check your live stream or a recording, only to be met with a blocky, pixelated, or blurry image. This not only ruins the user experience but also makes it difficult to identify faces or details in your security footage.
Poor video quality is almost never a fault of the camera itself. It is usually a symptom of a network problem that is forcing the camera to downgrade the quality of its video stream. This guide will help you identify and fix the root cause of your pixelated video issues.
Common Symptoms of Poor Video Quality
You're likely facing a connection issue if you're seeing:
- Blocky or Pixelated Live View: The live video stream looks like a low-resolution video from the early 2000s.
- Blurry Recordings: Recorded event footage is not sharp and details are difficult to make out.
- Video Freezing: The video stream frequently pauses and stutters.
- Low-Resolution Snapshots: The snapshots included in notification alerts are of poor quality.
- Lag or Delay: There is a significant delay between real-world events and when you see them on the live stream.
- Fluctuating Quality: The video is sometimes clear and other times very poor.
How to Fix Netatmo Pixelated Video
The solution to improving your video quality lies in improving the camera's connection to your network and the internet.
1. Check and Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength
This is the most common cause of poor video quality. Your Netatmo camera needs a strong and stable Wi-Fi signal to upload its Full HD video stream.
- Check the Signal: Open the Netatmo Security app, go to your camera's settings, and find the "Network Status" or "Wi-Fi Signal" indicator. If the signal strength is weak (e.g., less than two out of three bars, or below 75%), this is likely your problem.
- Move Your Router: If possible, try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to your Netatmo camera. Even a few metres can make a significant difference.
- Use a Wi-Fi Extender: If you cannot move your router, a Wi-Fi range extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system is the best solution. Place the extender halfway between your router and the camera to boost the signal in that area.
- Reduce Interference: Keep your router and camera away from other electronic devices that can cause interference, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, and large metal objects.
2. Reduce Network Congestion
Your camera needs sufficient upload bandwidth to send its video stream to the Netatmo servers.
- Check Other Devices: Are other devices on your network heavily using the internet? Activities like 4K video streaming, online gaming, or uploading large files to cloud storage can consume a lot of bandwidth, leaving little for your camera.
- Test for Improvement: Try pausing these high-bandwidth activities temporarily. If your camera's video quality immediately improves, you know that network congestion is the cause. You may need to consider upgrading your internet plan if this is a regular problem.
3. Reboot Your Camera and Network Equipment
A classic tech support step, but one that often works wonders for temporary glitches.
- Reboot the Camera:
- For an indoor camera, simply unplug it from the wall, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
- For an outdoor camera (like the Presence), you'll need to turn off the power to it at the circuit breaker. Wait 30 seconds, then switch the breaker back on.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your Wi-Fi router from power, wait a full minute, and then plug it back in. Wait about 5-10 minutes for it to fully restart and for your devices to reconnect.
4. Check for Firmware Updates
Netatmo may release firmware updates for the camera that improve connectivity and performance. The Netatmo Security app will typically notify you if an update is available and will install it automatically, but it's worth ensuring your camera is running the latest version.
By focusing on providing your Netatmo camera with a strong, stable, and uncongested Wi-Fi connection, you can resolve the vast majority of pixelation and video quality issues, restoring the crystal-clear picture you expect.