Article ID : 00251538 / Last Modified : 28/09/2021Print

What bitrate should I use when monitoring images on the network camera H.264?

     

    The following gives a general idea of relationships between the bitrate, resolution, and frame rate in Sony network cameras.

    Resolution x Frame rate x Image quality -> Required bitrate

    Meaning:
                 The higher the resolution, frame rate, and image quality, the higher the required bitrate.
    In other words:
                 The higher the frame rate, the lower the image quality when setting values for the bitrate and resolution remain the same.
                 The higher the resolution, the lower the image quality when setting values for the bitrate and frame rate remain the same.

    The following are referential values of the optimum bitrate for the given resolution, frame rate, and image quality.

    When Resolution is 640x480,
      and frame rate =  1 fps and I picture interval is 5 seconds, bitrate is 256 kbps.
      and frame rate =  5 fps and I picture interval is 3 seconds, bitrate is 384 kbps.
      and frame rate =  10 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 512 kbps.
      and frame rate =  15 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 768 kbps.
      and frame rate =  30 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 1000 kbps.
    When Resolution is 1280x720,
      and frame rate =  1 fps and I picture interval is 5 seconds, bitrate is 384 kbps.
      and frame rate =  5 fps and I picture interval is 3 seconds, bitrate is 768 kbps.
      and frame rate =  10 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 1000 kbps.
      and frame rate =  15 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 1500 kbps.
      and frame rate =  30 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 2000 kbps.
    When Resolution is 1280x1024,
      and frame rate =  1 fps and I picture interval is 5 seconds, bitrate is 512 kbps.
      and frame rate =  5 fps and I picture interval is 3 seconds, bitrate is 1500 kbps.
      and frame rate =  10 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 2000 kbps.
      and frame rate =  15 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 2000 kbps.
      and frame rate =  30 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 3000 kbps.
    When Resolution is 1920x1080,
      and frame rate =  1 fps and I picture interval is 5 seconds, bitrate is 768 kbps.
      and frame rate =  5 fps and I picture interval is 3 seconds, bitrate is 1500 kbps.
      and frame rate =  10 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 2000 kbps.
      and frame rate =  15 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 3000 kbps.
      and frame rate =  30 fps and I picture interval is 1 second, bitrate is 4000 kbps.

    * The above shows ideal image quality settings, assuming that sufficient bandwidth is available over the dedicated network for local memory. Normally, reasonable image quality can still be achieved with a lower bitrate.
    (Set to lower bitrate if you want to reduce bandwidth usage, for example, when transmitting the data to a remote location.)

    <If the bitrate is too low>
    Noticeable block noise appears.
    The noise is concentrated on moving parts, resulting in faces of walking people being unrecognisable.
    <If the bitrate is too high>
    While improving the image quality, HDD consumption increases and performance of the overall system declines.

    [Note] The image quality varies depending on the subject. Determine your bitrate by actually recording the subject using the camera.