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Variable Bitrates for PTZ Cameras

Learn more about the variable bitrates for PTZ cameras

Updated yesterday

PTZ cameras have variable bitrates which provide the highest quality video possible with 30, 60, 90, or 180 days of retention, depending on the onboard storage. The bitrates change with respect to the state in which the camera is operating. The PTZ cameras can operate in two states:

  • Static—The camera is online and recording, but not moving.

  • User-controlled—The camera is recording, where an authorized user manually controls the camera through the in-Verkada Command controls or through a hand-held controller.


How variable bitrates work

The PTZ cameras use 4 separate streams to ensure the best possible user experience, where the H.264 and H.265 streams are allocated to Standard Quality (SQ) and High Quality (HQ), respectively.

CP52-E

Stream

Purpose

Static (Kbps)

Moving (Kbps)

SQ (H.264 only)

Live view

1,000

2,000

SQ (H.265 supported)

Storage

600

1,500

HQ (H.264 only)

Live view

3,000

4,500

HQ (H.265 supported)

Storage

2,500

4,000

CP63-E

Stream

Purpose

Static (Kbps)

Moving (Kbps)

SQ (H.264 only)

Live view

1,000

3,000

SQ (H.265 supported)

Storage

1,200

1,500

HQ (H.264 only)

Live view

3,000

5,000

HQ (H.265 supported)

Storage

4,000

4,000


About the streams

Stream

Use Case

SQ H.264 only

Live view only and is not retained for historical recordings. This stream is meant for live monitoring on slower internet speeds or while using the mobile app when on-the-go.

SQ H.265 supported

Used for SQ historical recordings and operates at slightly lower bitrates when compared to the SQ live stream. This stream is meant for historical monitoring when no motion occurred in the camera’s scene or when using a slow internet connection.

HQ H.264 only

Live view only and is not retained for historical recordings. Used for live monitoring on networks that can allocate at least 4.5 Mbps to the camera.

HQ H.265 supported

Used for HQ historical recordings and operates at a slightly lower bitrate to prioritize the number of HQ days which will be stored. This stream is meant for historical investigations of motions events.


Need more help? Contact Verkada Support.

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