Nighthawk D7000 slow ethernet to DVR

[JohnXS]

I have a persistent slow ethernet connection to a security camera DVR on my network. This results in freezing frames and other issues.

I have tried all ports on the router and the problem is unique to the DVR.

I suspected the hardwired cable (about 15 metres), but have checked this with a laptop (it gets full speed).

Are there alternative settings I can try on the router? Can the power the router supplies to an ethernet port (and therefore the signal gain) be boosted?

[michaelkenward · Accepted solution]

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@JohnXS wrote:

Each port has been tested using a laptop and has been found to deliver a 1000 Mbps connection.

The cables which connect the DVR have also been tested and found capable of delivering a 1000 Mbps connection. 

However, when the DVR is connected to ANY port, it connects at 100 Mbps.

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I would lay money on the LAN ports on the DVR thing being limited to 100 Mbps.

It is because many video devices are built around 100 Mbps technology. That is fast enough for any typical use.

If an HDTV stream can work at 100 Mbps, why demand 1000 Mbps?

Look around and you will find that streaming 1080p video needs a connection that tuns at an amazing "2 Mbps per camera".

You don't say what make of DVR this is, but the specifications in the manual should put you out of your misery so that you can stop wasting time worrying about LAN speeds.

[michaelkenward]

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@JohnXS wrote:

I have a persistent slow ethernet connection to a security camera DVR on my network. This results in freezing frames and other issues.

I have tried all ports on the router and the problem is unique to the DVR.

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If the DVR is the only one with a problem, it sort of points in that direction for solutions.

Maybe the unnamed security camera DVR needs some special settings on the router. Have you asked the people who made it for advice?

Many bits of kit have cropped up here over the years. Try a search of the archive.

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Can the power the router supplies to an ethernet port (and therefore the signal gain) be boosted?

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These things are built to industry standards, especially for things like LAN signals.

While many questions about routers are generic and could be answered anywhere, some things need specialist knowledge.

You might get more help, and find earlier questions and answers specific to your device, in the appropriate section for your hardware. That's probably here:

DSL Modems & Routers

You might like to search there for messages related to your problem.

In the meantime you could visit the support pages:

Support | NETGEAR

Feed in your model number and check the documentation for your hardware. Look at the label on the device for the model number.

Check for various troubleshooting tips.

You may have done this already. I can't tell from your message.

I mention it because Netgear stopped supplying printed manuals and CD versions some years ago and people sometimes miss the downloads.

[JohnXS]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your reply. The DVR manual says only to check a box to “obtain IP address automatically”, which I take as using DHCP. It doesn’t appear to have any more detailed settings, although I have contacted their support people (so far, fairly useless).

I agree, it doesn’t appear to be a Netgear router issue - more likely a DVR issue. I was just kind of hoping there might be something I could do with the router to cope with the DVR’s shortcomings.

[michaelkenward]

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@JohnXS wrote:

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your reply. The DVR manual says only to check a box to “obtain IP address automatically”, which I take as using DHCP. It doesn’t appear to have any more detailed settings, although I have contacted their support people (so far, fairly useless).

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Is that something that you fix in the DVR's controls?

With some IP kit it is also possible to reserve an IP address on the device itself.

You can also tell the router to reserve an IP address for a particular device.

[JohnXS]

The DVR seems to only have the limited connection process described, which as I say seems to be automated DHCP.

I was hoping to be able to try versions of MTU, duplex etc settings in hope of getting a Gigabit rate. Is there some way I can specify that on the router instead of the device?

[JohnXS]

UPDATE:

The DVR product help desk is blaming the modem, which I find puzzling.

Each port has been tested using a laptop and has been found to deliver a 1000 Mbps connection.

The cables which connect the DVR have also been tested and found capable of delivering a 1000 Mbps connection. 

However, when the DVR is connected to ANY port, it connects at 100 Mbps.

Given the above, I can’t see how this slow connection is due to any Netgear setting. But I would welcome any suggestions.

[michaelkenward · Accepted solution]

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@JohnXS wrote:

Each port has been tested using a laptop and has been found to deliver a 1000 Mbps connection.

The cables which connect the DVR have also been tested and found capable of delivering a 1000 Mbps connection. 

However, when the DVR is connected to ANY port, it connects at 100 Mbps.

---

I would lay money on the LAN ports on the DVR thing being limited to 100 Mbps.

It is because many video devices are built around 100 Mbps technology. That is fast enough for any typical use.

If an HDTV stream can work at 100 Mbps, why demand 1000 Mbps?

Look around and you will find that streaming 1080p video needs a connection that tuns at an amazing "2 Mbps per camera".

You don't say what make of DVR this is, but the specifications in the manual should put you out of your misery so that you can stop wasting time worrying about LAN speeds.

[JohnXS]

You’re right Michael!

After a lengthy email to-and-fro with their support people I asked what speed the ethernet port was rated. 100Mbps!

If only they had said originally. Although there is no mention in the product specs.

It’s a Cocoon DVR/8-camera bundle BTW.

NEVER buy one - very poor support, app has not been updated in 2 years, since iOS 16 selecting a single-camera view distorts the frame, removes hi-res selection and other tools. Managing it directly with a monitor on HDMI is not much better, due to clunky embedded Linux software. 

As they say: You buy a cheap CCTV system from Aldi and you want it to work as well?!

[michaelkenward]

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@JohnXS wrote:

If only they had said originally. Although there is no mention in the product specs.

It’s a Cocoon DVR/8-camera bundle BTW.

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I see what you mean.

That is one of the basic specifications that you expect to see on any network stuff.

I'm no expect of DVR stuff, but I would expect 100 Mbps to be fast enough. But if we we are talking about  a lot of cameras, you might hit a limit, especially of you have a lot of other things going on at the same time.

In my case I have an Arlo system with more cameras than I need. That doesn't struggle and my DSL Internet maxes out at ~ 60 Mbps.