Camera Quality and Bandwidth not back to pre pandemic levels

[Mick12342]

Camera Quality and Bandwidth still not back to pre pandemic levels when in April of 2020 Google reduced camera quality to help ease the strain on broadband networks.  This is when if cameras were set to a higher than default value, Google reduced the quality across the board. 

Currently you're supposedly able to go into your settings and adjust these back to where they once were however, even at the highest setting, the quality when zoomed in is far less than it was originally.  Technical Support only offers the suggestion of changing the settings to the max available which is still automatically adjusted to what Google believes to be optimum for your bandwidth. 

Because for years we were getting much better resolution, does anyone know of a way to get the resolution back to where it once was?  The cameras are capable because they did it for years but currently, I'm not finding a way to go about this.  Even a hack would be appreciated, including if it meant directly wiring the camera to a recording device as opposed to going through the Nest Aware software.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Brad]

Hi there, 

Thanks for bringing up the concern you're having. I don't have any hacks to share, but the resolution is based on your settings, your Wi-Fi signal strength, etc. but I would suggest trying to restart or factory reset your camera if you haven't tried that yet. Also, make sure that your camera isn't too far away from your Wi-Fi router. That could slow things down and cause quality to lower. 

Best regards, 
Brad

[Mick12342]

Hey Brad, I sure appreciate the response. The cameras I'm working with are all 1st gen Nest Aware subscription wired indoor cameras. Per your suggestions I've restarted, but not factory reset the cameras which unfortunately didn't remedy the issue. I don't know how to make sure the camera's aren't "too far away" from my Wi-Fi router but assume they're fine as they never drop out are in the same locations prior to when Google reduced the camera quality. I have since increased my internet speed and Wi-Fi signal strength which didn't help.

Note: Prior to Google's camera quality reduction I was able to set the Video Quality and Bandwidth to High. Currently, the "high" button is greyed out although the blue line showing status goes right up to the circle indicating High. Prior to the change, the circle would also be blue.

The only other flag I can offer is that I'm not able to access the camera controls using the Home App. When trying to do so, although I sign in through a Google account, I'm redirected to the Nest app. The same thing happens when signing in from a computer.

It's possible it's due to some change in the software that happened when Google purchased Nest and all accounts had to be migrated. Also a possibility is that the age of the 1st gen camera's somehow being seen as obsolete since they still have to be controlled using the Nest app, rather than the Google Home app.

In any case, the bottom line is that when comparing the old quality to what I'm now able to get, the quality truly is different since Google reduced the camera quality and I can't seem to find a way back.

[Brad]

@Mick12342 

From what you explained, it still sounds like this is related to Wi-Fi range, or speeds, etc. but it has to do with your connection. If they are greyed out, it means it probably can't get a strong enough connection. Are you able to move your Wi-Fi router closer to your cameras or your cameras closer to your Wi-Fi? Please let me know. 

Best regards,

Brad

[Mick12342]

Hey Brad, once again I really appreciate you're taking the time on this.

Per your suggestion I disconnected one of the cameras and placed it within a foot (12 inches) of the Wi-Fi router and unfortunately, the results are the same as previously noted. I looked up the bandwidth needed for our specific cameras and confirmed we have more than double what's specified for the up and download bandwidth needed.

As I mentioned, to access the camera settings I have to use the Nest app, but to review those settings I'm able to do so using Google Home app which states, although the "High" circle isn't blue, the video quality is in fact set to HIGH.

Again, the loss of clarity isn't that noticeable when the cameras aren't zoomed in at all. However, we've always had them zoomed in at least to the first +. When comparing old footage against anything in the last couple years, the difference is quite noticeable.

If you've any other ideas or suggestions, I'd love to hear them, otherwise we may need to replace/update all five of the cameras.

[Brad]

@Mick12342 

I appreciate you sharing your experience with us. I get where you're coming from, and I would love for you to share your feedback with us. We’re always looking for ways to improve, and appreciate you sharing. You can send it at any time using your devices, following the steps found here. You are welcome to reach out to support if you wish, by filling out this form, and a higher tier of support will reach out to you with next steps. 

Best regards,
Brad

[Mick12342]

Hey Brad, a final thanks for your time and attention. I'll share my feedback as well as fill out the form requesting support from a higher tier later today. Having never previously used this venue for support, you've made the experience delightfully pleasant, thank you.

[Brad]

@Mick12342 

Let me know if you need anything from me, but I am just seeing how the conversation is going. Did you hear back from support regarding this thread? Please let me know. We'll leave this thread open for a little longer for follow-up questions and concerns. 

Best regards, 

Brad

[Mick12342]

Hey Brad, better flag me as a slacker for not posting an update sooner.

It looks as though the office is needing to purchase about five additional cameras. If so, this would give us the ability to use the older gen 1 cameras at locations where the higher resolution we used to get isn't needed and use the new cameras where it is. Although the situation is still "in process" I may not need to torture the higher tier which is why I've not yet submitted yet.

Although a different subject any suggestions as to which cameras to get would be appreciated? The cameras would all be indoor, can be wired to power and will be added to our Nest Aware account. The new cameras zoom would be adjusted by clicking the zoom (+) twice then set and left as a constant.

Because the situation is going to take a couple more days to resolve, do I need to do anything to pause this case or just report back once concluded?

Again, I very much appreciate your attention.

[Brad]

@Mick12342 

We are more than happy to wait a few days for your to let us know if you still need some help. 

Best regards,

Brad

[janthadeus]

Hey Mick12342,

I just wanted to follow up to see if you still need our help. Please let us know as we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

I appreciate your help, Brad.

Thanks,

JT

[Mick12342]

Hey JT,

I appreciate your checking in with me.  I've only today submitted to the next tier support through the link Brad provided so I think  you're off the hook.  That said, here's what I submitted which pretty much sums it all up, should you have any ideas ...

Camera Quality and Bandwidth still not back to pre pandemic levels when in April of 2020 Google reduced camera quality to help ease the strain on broadband networks.  This is when if cameras were set to a higher than default value, Google reduced the quality across the board.

The camera's are all 1st gen Nest Aware subscription wired indoor cameras. We've tried restarting and factory resetting the cameras, confirmed we've got more than twice the up and download speed specified, and confirmed Wi-Fi strength is sufficient.

Limited here so in brief, curious if problem due to "Google automatically adjusts that to what Google believes to be optimum for your bandwidth". Also, unable to use Home app for settings - redirected to Nest which doesn't offer Max, only High option.

Bottom line is for years we were getting much better resolution so the cameras are capable, I'm just able to find my way back to getting it.

[janthadeus]

Hi there,
 

Thanks for taking some steps beforehand. We appreciate all your efforts here. We got the form you've submitted — thanks for filling that out. I'll consider this post as complete and will lock the thread in 24 hours. Please keep an eye on your email as someone from our team will reach out to you to assist you further.

Thanks,

JT