diff --git a/core/streaming/readers.py b/core/streaming/readers.py
index b623c49..e6eed55 100644
--- a/core/streaming/readers.py
+++ b/core/streaming/readers.py
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ class FFmpegRTSPReader:
         self.temp_file = f"/tmp/claude/camera_{self.camera_id.replace(' ', '_')}.raw"
         os.makedirs("/tmp/claude", exist_ok=True)
 
-        # Change to JPG format which properly supports -update 1
-        self.temp_file = f"/tmp/claude/camera_{self.camera_id.replace(' ', '_')}.jpg"
+        # Use PPM format - uncompressed with header, supports -update 1
+        self.temp_file = f"/tmp/claude/camera_{self.camera_id.replace(' ', '_')}.ppm"
 
         cmd = [
             'ffmpeg',
@@ -104,8 +104,8 @@ class FFmpegRTSPReader:
             '-rtsp_transport', 'tcp',
             '-i', self.rtsp_url,
             '-f', 'image2',
-            '-update', '1',  # This actually works with image2 format
-            '-q:v', '2',     # High quality JPEG
+            '-update', '1',  # Works with image2 format
+            '-pix_fmt', 'rgb24',  # PPM uses RGB not BGR
             '-an',  # No audio
             '-y',  # Overwrite output file
             self.temp_file
@@ -176,39 +176,28 @@ class FFmpegRTSPReader:
                 if self.frame_ready_event.wait(timeout=restart_check_interval):
                     self.frame_ready_event.clear()
 
-                    # Read JPEG frame with concurrency safety
+                    # Read PPM frame (uncompressed with header)
                     try:
-                        # Try to read JPEG multiple times to handle race conditions
-                        frame = None
-                        for attempt in range(3):
-                            try:
-                                # Read and decode JPEG directly
-                                frame = cv2.imread(self.temp_file)
+                        if os.path.exists(self.temp_file):
+                            # Read PPM with OpenCV (handles RGB->BGR conversion automatically)
+                            frame = cv2.imread(self.temp_file)
 
-                                if frame is not None and frame.shape == (self.height, self.width, 3):
-                                    break
-                                else:
-                                    logger.debug(f"Camera {self.camera_id}: Invalid frame shape or None, attempt {attempt+1}")
-                                    time.sleep(0.01)  # Brief wait before retry
+                            if frame is not None and frame.shape == (self.height, self.width, 3):
+                                # Call frame callback directly
+                                if self.frame_callback:
+                                    self.frame_callback(self.camera_id, frame)
 
-                            except (IOError, OSError) as e:
-                                logger.debug(f"Camera {self.camera_id}: Read error on attempt {attempt+1}: {e}")
-                                time.sleep(0.01)
+                                frame_count += 1
 
-                        if frame is not None:
-                            # Call frame callback directly
-                            if self.frame_callback:
-                                self.frame_callback(self.camera_id, frame)
-
-                            frame_count += 1
-
-                            # Log progress
-                            current_time = time.time()
-                            if current_time - last_log_time >= 30:
-                                logger.info(f"Camera {self.camera_id}: {frame_count} JPEG frames processed reactively")
-                                last_log_time = current_time
+                                # Log progress
+                                current_time = time.time()
+                                if current_time - last_log_time >= 30:
+                                    logger.info(f"Camera {self.camera_id}: {frame_count} PPM frames processed reactively")
+                                    last_log_time = current_time
+                            else:
+                                logger.debug(f"Camera {self.camera_id}: Invalid PPM frame")
                         else:
-                            logger.debug(f"Camera {self.camera_id}: Failed to read valid JPEG after retries")
+                            logger.debug(f"Camera {self.camera_id}: PPM file not found yet")
 
                     except (IOError, OSError) as e:
                         logger.debug(f"Camera {self.camera_id}: File read error: {e}")