IP security cameras provide homeowners with an affordable way to protect their property and themselves. These cameras require a constant and fast internet connection, though. If you're having new IP security cameras installed around your home, contact your internet service provider and ask them to increase your upload speeds. If you don't, you'll likely notice a decrease in your internet connection's performance.

Uploading is Different from Downloading

Most of the time when you access the internet through your home's connection, you're using your home's downloading connection. Downloading is typically used to refer to saving files, such as pictures or songs, to your computer's local hard drive from the internet. Anytime you look at a web page, stream music, watch a movie or open an email, you're technically downloading something. It's not saved to your computer, but you're using your home's download speeds.

In contrast, uploading involves putting things on the internet. Some of the most common uploading activities that people do include the following:

  • putting videos up on streaming platforms
  • posting pictures to social media platforms
  • attaching files to emails

While all internet service providers include specific maximum upload speeds in their contracts, many providers advertise their download speeds more than their upload speeds. After all, people download more than they upload, so they are more interested in download speeds. Additionally, download speeds are usually higher than upload speeds, because people tend to need more.

IP Cameras Are Constantly Uploading

Unlike closed-circuit security cameras, which save video locally, IP models upload their videos to the internet. The videos are securely stored by a company online, rather than on a hard drive or server at your house. Since IP security cameras are always recording, they're constantly uploading videos.

Installing IP security cameras won't affect streaming movies or browsing the internet, since those are downloading activities. They will, however, use up a lot of your uploading bandwidth, and you'll likely notice it takes longer to put up videos, post pictures or attach files.

You Can Minimize IP Cameras' Impact on Upload Speeds

When you're selecting IP security cameras, you can do the following to reduce their impact on your internet upload speeds:

  • look for models that have black-and-white videos rather than color 
  • situate cameras strategically to reduce how many you need
  • select cameras that have between 350 and 400 television lines TVLs

Although 350 to 400 TVLs is fairly low resolution, these resolutions are adequate for home surveillance according to EBay.

You Can Increase Your Upload Speeds

You can also increase your internet connection's upload speeds to accommodate the additional usage. Upgrading your upload speeds is as easy as calling your internet service provider and talking with a representative about their different plans. Depending on your internet service provider's offerings, you may also have to increase your download speeds. As long as your new plan includes higher maximum upload speeds, though, it'll accommodate your and your family's needs.

Most of the time, internet service providers are able to increase upload speeds without sending a technician to your house. Your provider's representative will be able to explain the exact process they use, but it usually only requires changing a few settings that they control from their offices.

IP security cameras will provide you and your family with added safety, but they'll use up your upload bandwidth. Before you install IP security cameras, contact your internet service provider about increasing your upload speeds so that everyone in your house can enjoy uncompromised internet service when putting up videos, posting pictures and attaching files. Check out websites like http://www.rtconline.com for more information about upgrading your internet speeds.

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