# Modify High Quality Video Bitrates

You can change a camera's high-quality (HQ) bitrate to optimize the viewing experience.

{% hint style="danger" %}
This feature is not compatible with the [PTZ series cameras](https://www.verkada.com/security-cameras/ptz/#overview).
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### Considerations

* The default HQ bitrate preset (Enhanced) uses a variable bitrate, dynamically adjusting based on the scene. High-motion scenes consume more bandwidth for better quality, while simpler scenes use less, which optimizes storage space. In contrast, other presets use a constant bitrate for HQ video.
* If you choose a higher video quality, a shorter duration of HQ video is saved for later viewing.
* Estimates are calculated based on the camera's recording history, using existing HQ footage to estimate motion levels during the retention period. If the camera has been installed for only a short time (e.g., 1 hour), there may not be enough data for Command to provide an accurate estimate.

{% hint style="info" %}
Lower the bitrate to conserve network resources and optimize performance in bandwidth-constrained environments. Increase the bitrate for areas with high motion, such as busy hallways, to ensure better video quality.
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***

## Change the HQ video quality

{% hint style="danger" %}
You need [Site Admin](https://help.verkada.com/verkada-cameras/getting-started/roles-and-permissions-for-cameras) permissions to change a camera's HQ video bitrate.
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{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Cameras.**
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**Select a camera you want to modify.**
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**On the right, click Settings.**
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{% step %}
**Under Device > HQ Video Bitrate, select an option from the dropdown.**

<div align="left" data-with-frame="true"><img src="https://1795869993-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FylYKicREo6JpuOJH4teK%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d818aacb1d8fd3b291d4ef2340d6b5f998308b7f%2F1408a7ae72f33f5cf96899886fddb7bb4a8e9116.png?alt=media" alt="" width="279"></div>
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{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
This setting does not impact SQ storage. SQ video is retained for the camera's set days of retention.
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***

### HQ bitrates (in Kbps)

|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |          |              |                        |           |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ------------ | ---------------------- | --------- |
| **Models**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | **Good** | **Advanced** | **Enhanced (default)** | **Ultra** |
| CR63-E                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 2,000    | 2,000        | 2,000                  | 2,000     |
| CD63-E, CD63-F, CD63-E-F, CD63, CD62-E, CD62, CD61-E, CD61, CF83-E, CF81-E, CB62-TE, CB62-E, CB61-TE, CB61-E, CY63-E, CH63-E                                                                                                                                                                                            | 2,000    | 3,000        | 4,500                  | 6,000     |
| CD53-E, CD53-F, CD53-E-F, CD53, CD43-E, CD43-F, CD43-E-F, CD43, CD52-E, CD52, CD52-F, CD52-E-F, CD51-E, CD51, CD42-E, CD42, CD42-F, CD42-E-F, CD41-E, CD41, CD32-E, CD32, CD31-E, CD31, CD22-E, CD22, CY53-E, CH53-E, CH52-E, CH52-E-F, CB52-TE, CB52-E, CB51-TE, CB51-E, CM42, CM42-S, CM41-E, CM41, CM41-S, CM22, D40 | 1,000    | 1,500        | 3,000                  | 4,500     |
| CM61, D80                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | 1,000    | 2,000        | 3,000                  | 4,000     |
| D30, D50                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | 800      | 1,000        | 2,000                  | 3,000     |

### SQ and audio bitrates (in Kbps)

|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |                 |                    |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------- | ------------------ |
| **Models**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | **SQ Bitrates** | **Audio Bitrates** |
| CD53-E, CD53-F, CD53-E-F, CD53, CD43-E, CD43-F, CD43-E-F, CD43, CD52-E, CD52-F, CD52-E-F, CD52, CD51-E, CD51, CD42-E, CD42-F, CD42-E-F, CD42, CD41-E, CD41, CD32-E, CD32, CD31-E, CD31, CD22-E, CD22, CY53-E, CH53-E, CH52-E, CH52-E-F, CB52-TE\*, CB52-E\*, CB51-TE\*, CB51-E\*, CM42, CM42-S, CM41-E, CM41, CM41-S, CM22\*, D50\*, D40, D30 | 300             | 16                 |
| CR63-E, CD63-E, CD63-F, CD63-E-F, CD63, CD62-E, CD62, CD61-E, CD61, CF83-E, CF81-E, CB62-TE\*, CB62-E\*, CB61-TE\*, CB61-E\*, CY63-E, CH63-E, CM61, D80\*                                                                                                                                                                                     | 600             | 16                 |

{% hint style="warning" %}
\* Audio is not supported.
{% endhint %}