diff --git a/config.json b/config.json
index 854b102..0d061f9 100644
--- a/config.json
+++ b/config.json
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
   "poll_interval_ms": 100,
   "max_streams": 20,
   "target_fps": 2,
-  "reconnect_interval_sec": 5,
-  "max_retries": -1
+  "reconnect_interval_sec": 10,
+  "max_retries": -1,
+  "rtsp_buffer_size": 3,
+  "rtsp_tcp_transport": true
 }
diff --git a/core/streaming/readers.py b/core/streaming/readers.py
index d675907..a48840a 100644
--- a/core/streaming/readers.py
+++ b/core/streaming/readers.py
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ class RTSPReader:
 
         # Frame processing parameters
         self.frame_interval = 1.0 / self.expected_fps  # ~167ms for 6fps
-        self.error_recovery_delay = 2.0
-        self.max_consecutive_errors = 10
+        self.error_recovery_delay = 5.0  # Increased from 2.0 for stability
+        self.max_consecutive_errors = 30  # Increased from 10 to handle network jitter
         self.stream_timeout = 30.0
 
     def set_frame_callback(self, callback: Callable[[str, np.ndarray], None]):
@@ -107,9 +107,15 @@ class RTSPReader:
                         consecutive_errors = 0
                         time.sleep(self.error_recovery_delay)
                     else:
-                        # Skip corrupted frame and continue
-                        logger.debug(f"Camera {self.camera_id}: Frame read failed (error {consecutive_errors})")
-                        time.sleep(0.1)
+                        # Skip corrupted frame and continue with exponential backoff
+                        if consecutive_errors <= 5:
+                            logger.debug(f"Camera {self.camera_id}: Frame read failed (error {consecutive_errors})")
+                        elif consecutive_errors % 10 == 0:  # Log every 10th error after 5
+                            logger.warning(f"Camera {self.camera_id}: Continuing frame read failures (error {consecutive_errors})")
+
+                        # Exponential backoff with cap at 1 second
+                        sleep_time = min(0.1 * (1.5 ** min(consecutive_errors, 10)), 1.0)
+                        time.sleep(sleep_time)
                     continue
 
                 # Validate frame dimensions
@@ -169,7 +175,18 @@ class RTSPReader:
 
             logger.info(f"Initializing capture for camera {self.camera_id}")
 
-            # Create capture with FFMPEG backend
+            # Create capture with FFMPEG backend and TCP transport for reliability
+            # Use TCP instead of UDP to prevent packet loss
+            rtsp_url_tcp = self.rtsp_url.replace('rtsp://', 'rtsp://')
+            if '?' in rtsp_url_tcp:
+                rtsp_url_tcp += '&tcp'
+            else:
+                rtsp_url_tcp += '?tcp'
+
+            # Alternative: Set environment variable for RTSP transport
+            import os
+            os.environ['OPENCV_FFMPEG_CAPTURE_OPTIONS'] = 'rtsp_transport;tcp'
+
             self.cap = cv2.VideoCapture(self.rtsp_url, cv2.CAP_FFMPEG)
 
             if not self.cap.isOpened():
@@ -181,8 +198,9 @@ class RTSPReader:
             self.cap.set(cv2.CAP_PROP_FRAME_HEIGHT, self.expected_height)
             self.cap.set(cv2.CAP_PROP_FPS, self.expected_fps)
 
-            # Set small buffer to reduce latency and avoid accumulating corrupted frames
-            self.cap.set(cv2.CAP_PROP_BUFFERSIZE, 1)
+            # Set moderate buffer to handle network jitter while avoiding excessive latency
+            # Buffer of 3 frames provides resilience without major delay
+            self.cap.set(cv2.CAP_PROP_BUFFERSIZE, 3)
 
             # Set FFMPEG options for better H.264 handling
             self.cap.set(cv2.CAP_PROP_FOURCC, cv2.VideoWriter_fourcc(*'H264'))
@@ -208,13 +226,23 @@ class RTSPReader:
             return False
 
     def _reinitialize_capture(self):
-        """Reinitialize capture after errors."""
+        """Reinitialize capture after errors with retry logic."""
         logger.info(f"Reinitializing capture for camera {self.camera_id}")
         if self.cap:
             self.cap.release()
             self.cap = None
-        time.sleep(1.0)
-        self._initialize_capture()
+
+        # Longer delay before reconnection to avoid rapid reconnect loops
+        time.sleep(3.0)
+
+        # Retry initialization up to 3 times
+        for attempt in range(3):
+            if self._initialize_capture():
+                logger.info(f"Successfully reinitialized camera {self.camera_id} on attempt {attempt + 1}")
+                break
+            else:
+                logger.warning(f"Failed to reinitialize camera {self.camera_id} on attempt {attempt + 1}")
+                time.sleep(2.0)
 
     def _is_frame_corrupted(self, frame: np.ndarray) -> bool:
         """Check if frame is corrupted (all black, all white, or excessive noise)."""