Packet loss is exactly what it sounds like - packets of data getting lost in transit from router to computer or vice versa.
Packet loss in a network is the loss of the information in transit between the source and destination. Information is transmitted in small discrete units called packets. When working with Sessionwire, packet loss can result in audio artifacts and glitches in the video feed.
Most artifacts have nothing to do with bandwidth limitations. Sessionwire operated at NAMM for 5 days on 3Mbps (0.375MB/s) upload and download speeds!
What is important is that each computer in a Sessionwire call is connected to the internet via ethernet. This will help eliminate one of main causes of packet loss - a shoddy WIFI connection.
WIFI performance can suffer due to a number of causes:
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The distance between the WIFI router and the computer
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Walls between the router and the computer - specifically walls made of metal, concrete, brick, plaster, stone, etc.
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Interference from microwave ovens, cordless phones, fluorescent bulbs, bluetooth radios, weather (rain, wind, snow), a hight concentration of human bodies.
Sessionwire is a piece of professional audio software and as such we highly recommend connecting to the internet via ethernet when possible. The Sessionwire application will function when using WIFI, however performance may be impacted due to the factors listed above. TEST YOUR CONNECTION if you're finding you're having issues with audio and video quality!
Ethernet cable and adapter examples: