Stay Away from Reolink Trackmix

[rpm5099]

This is not an issue with go2rtc, rather an issue with cameras that go2rtc users should be aware of. Go2rtc is great! Please feel free to close/tag as appropriate. I also posted this in a Frigate discussion.

There is an issue with stuttering/dropped frames with the Reolink Trackmix via RTSP, in the Reolink application it is fine but obviously that does no good for go2rtc/Frigate. The picture looks very good otherwise. I have been in contact with their support for about 2 months and I've gotten nowhere. I've sent them raw videos, verbose ffmpeg logs, and finally (after they acknowledged there is definitely an issue with the camera) a full packet capture - it's been "sent to the engineers". I've asked to speak directly with the engineers, and was told no.

On top of that the main stream is fixed at H265 and there is no option to change the codec. I actually got Reolink to send me H264 firmware, and it looked so bad it was clearly unusable - Reolink TrackMix Wifi Firmware v3.0.0.3748_2408132492 - H.264 main stream. They also do not hold their home setting at all, it's way off within hours of setting it - I have 2 and I've confirmed all of this on both.

The most obnoxious part of the experience is dealing with their condescending incompetent customer service, who today - this is after 3 months of troubleshooting and escalating to engineers - sent me another email saying the camera is not defective, the problem is "third party applications" and offered me $30 for $390 in cameras. Save yourself the trouble, do not purchase these cameras.

It would be one thing if they offered me a refund or an exchange for a different device, they offered me $20. Reolink is not a brand I will use anymore if there are any equivalent options in the same price range.

Here is what I have shared with Reolink support - stuttering

[gvillo]

I have the same camera (latest stock firmware H265), I can confirm that it works ok with go2rtc 1.9.2 (I have 0 issues). I am not able to use it correctly with 1.9.3+ versions at all.

Also it's good to see #1368, if it helps you.