Video bitrate is a critical setting that significantly impacts both the quality and size of the video files generated by your surveillance cameras. This guide will explain what video bitrate is and how to configure it on Reolink devices, ensuring the best performance for your surveillance system.
Applies to: Duo 3 PoE, B500W, B800W and Camera with hardware version IPC_MS1NA4
Table of Contents
Part 1. What Is Video Bitrate Mode?
Part 2. Considerations When Setting Up Video Bitrate
Part 3. How to Set Up Video Bitrate for Streaming
Part 4. Additional Resources for Streaming Settings
What Is Video Bitrate Mode?
Video bitrate mode refers to the method used to encode video data and determine the amount of data transmitted per second. There are two primary modes:
- Constant Bitrate (CBR): CBR maintains a fixed bitrate during video compression. This ensures consistent network traffic, making it suitable for stable network environments. However, during scenes with high complexity, CBR may reduce image quality to maintain the fixed bitrate. It's ideal when network bandwidth is stable but may struggle when bandwidth fluctuates.
- Variable Bitrate (VBR): VBR dynamically adjusts the bitrate based on the scene's complexity. This method provides higher video quality in complex scenes, but it requires more bandwidth consistency. If the network's bandwidth is insufficient, you might experience buffering or playback issues.
Considerations When Setting Up Video Bitrate
When setting up the video bitrate on your Reolink device, consider these factors:
- Network Stability: If your network experiences frequent fluctuations, VBR might provide a better viewing experience as it adapts to the available bandwidth.
- Storage Capacity: CBR uses a fixed amount of storage space, which is easier to predict and manage compared to VBR.
- Video Quality & Resolution Requirements: To maintain a good video bitrate for 1080p or higher resolutions, preserving video quality is crucial. For applications like 4K video bitrate setups, VBR is often preferred because it reduces compression artifacts during rapid scene changes, ensuring better visual fidelity.
How to Set Up Video Bitrate for Streaming
Configuring the right video bitrate for streaming is essential to maintain both quality and performance. Below are step-by-step instructions to set up video bitrate modes on Reolink devices, including the Reolink App, Client, web browser, and NVR.
-
Via Reolink App
Step 1. Tap
in the upper right corner and navigate to Camera Display > Stream.
Step 2. Choose Bitrate Mode, where you can select either Constant Bitrate or Variable Bitrate. -
Via Reolink Client
Click
Under Bitrate Mode, choose between Constant Bitrate and Variable Bitrate.and navigate to Device > Stream.
-
Via Reolink Web browser
Step 1. Input the IP Address of your camera on a web browser and log in to your camera.
See how to find the IP address of your camera.
Step 2. Click
Step 3. Go to Settings and then to Bitrate Mode. Select either Constant Bitrate or Variable Bitrate.
-
Via Reolink NVR (new UI)
Step 1. Access the Settings menu on your Reolink NVR.
Step 2. Go to Camera > Stream> Bitrate Mode and pick either Constant Bitrate or Variable Bitrate.
By following these steps, you can fine-tune the video bitrate for streaming to optimize your Reolink security system's performance, ensuring the best balance between video quality and bandwidth.
Additional Resources for Streaming Settings
You may also be interested in the following resources to further optimize your Reolink camera setup: