How Much Bandwidth Your Recorder Needs When Streaming
Streaming video data from CCTV systems to the cloud for storage, or computer/mobile device can consume a lot of bandwidth. (See What causes high data consumption for recorders (DVR/NVR/NVW) connected to the Internet?) This can result in slower internet speeds and increased costs for internet services. In this guide, we explore how you can calculate bandwidth consumed and identify some ways to decrease bandwidth consumption on video streaming and CCTV systems by adjusting the video quality settings.
Calculate bandwidth
In order to calculate the bandwidth needed to stream the cameras, do the following:
- Login to the recorder's Main Menu via TV/monitor.
- Take note of the Video Standard or Video Format used. Go to System > General (tab).
- Take note of the resolution, frame rate (fps), video encode type (H.26x) and bitrate (Kbps) per camera. Go to Record > Mainstream (tab). E.g. All 8 cameras have the same 1920x1080 resolution, 15 FPS, and bitrate of 4096 Kbps.
- Once you have all of the information above, go to this third-party website: HiTools Designer: Storage and Bandwidth Calculator for the online calculator.
- Enter the camera information from your notes, and then click on Bandwidth.
Example Calculation:
Using HiTools Designer: Storage and Bandwidth Calculator, click on Add. The 5 cameras and information from above were added as follows:
One of the cameras has 4096x3072 resolution, but the bandwidth calculator does not have the exact value, so the closest is chosen (4000x3072).
Result: At least 30 Mbps via Mainstream.
Running a Speedtest from a computer or phone connected to the same router, you can compare whether your internet connection is sufficient to upstream the cameras. Then run the speedtest again using mobile data or a different WiFi connection for downstream. For example:
| Speed | Upload (Recorder's network) | Download (Phone's mobile data or different WiFi network) |
| Sufficient for Mainstream |
example if recorder is connected via ethernet cable |
example if phone is on mobile data |
| Insufficient for Mainstream |
|
example if phone is on mobile data or WiFi (via extender) |
To reduce the bandwidth
Change each camera's Mainstream and Substream setting under the recorder's Menu > Record > Mainstream (tab) as follows:
Lower Bitrate (Kbps)
Bitrate refers to the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted per second. Setting a lower maximum bitrate can help reduce bandwidth consumption. However, finding the sweet spot between the other settings and the maximum bitrate is crucial. If the maximum bitrate is not high enough to stream the video with high resolution and FPS, it can lead to data losses and other issues in the streamed video, such as corruptions and frozen frames during decoding. Reduce the bitrate by 10%-25% first. This setting needs to be adjusted for both Mainstream and Substream if you use both remotely. Ensure to hit Apply to save changes on one tab before moving on to the next tab.
Lower Resolution
Resolution refers to the number of pixels on a screen. The higher the resolution, the clearer the image, but it also means larger file sizes and more bandwidth consumption. By reducing the resolution of just 1 camera from 12MP (4096x3072) down to 4K (3840x2160) or even lower at Full HD (1920x1080), you can significantly cut down on bandwidth usage. It is recommended to lower resolution for cameras where the view is not as significant as other cameras.
Use Substream or Mobilestream while Swann Security software is open in your computer
It has lower resolution and smaller bandwidth than Mainstream. When you open the Video Management software in MainView tab, you should see Mainstream, Substream, and Mobilestream above the cameras in the main pane. By default, Substream is selected in Main View.
If you are playing back recordings in Remote Playback, Mainstream is the default selection. Change Stream type to Substream to reduce data usage.