Video bandwidths is a factor in almost every screen that a person use, and video bandwidth is a factor that is present whether a person notices the video bandwidth or not. Whenever a person watches a movie, joins a video call, or view a security feed, data is moving from one location to another. The amount of data that move is dependent upon a variety of different choices, as well as upon the ability of the connection to handle that moving video data.
The provided chart will allow a person to view the different video bandwidth choices, and to understand the tradeoffs between each of those choice. One of the main choices that can be made is between using raw video data versus processed video data. Raw video data maintain every element of the video, which is ideal within a controlled environment in which the video signal can be delivered directly from one device to another.
Video Bandwidth, Codecs, and Storage Basics
The issue with raw video data is that it is too large to be sent across the internet or store on a drive within a home. Video codecs remove elements from raw video data that would not be noticed by the human eye, greatly reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted. Each type of codec remove a different amount of data from raw video data.
For example, codecs developed in the past were made with a focus upon ensuring that as many device as possible could decode the video data, and that the video would be played as quickly as possible. Newer codecs, however, allow for video to be encode at a slower rate, as the focus of newer codecs is upon reducing the size of the video file that needs to be distributed. A 1080p video that is played at 30 frames per second will have different bandwidth requirements than a 1080p video played at 60 frames per second, or 120 frames per second.
Furthermore, the bandwidth requirement will be even more significant when shifting from 1080p resolutions to using 4K resolutions. Each video streaming service make recommendations regarding the internet speeds that are required to stream their content. These speeds are established for each provider based off the requirements of its codecs.
The requirements of each provider may differ from one another due to the type of media content that they offer, the devices that they create their videos for, and their goals in relation to those distributions of video content. Furthermore, streaming one 4K video can consume a great deal of an provided internet connection, and adding additional data uses to the connection will quickly increase the amount of data that is required of that internet connection. Similar calculations can be made for security cameras, as well.
Security cameras are continuously playing video data, and that video data must be both played and store. Using lower bitrates allow for more video footage to be stored on a drive, but requires that the systems for the security cameras is able to decode the video data that the security cameras play. For example, switching to a more efficient codec will roughly halve the amount of storage that is required for the security system.
This type of reduction in required storage device is significant if that calculation is applied to each security camera within a location, especially over the course of many months. Many individuals dont understand the rate at which video footage can accumulate from security cameras. Thus, the chart provide these calculations to allow individuals to understand how video footage can accumulate from their security cameras.
One of the additional requirements to consider is that of video calls. Video calls require different amounts of bandwidth based upon whether the individual is the only individual participating in the video call, as opposed to being one of a group of many video call participant. The bandwidth requirement for video calls will vary based upon the resolution of the individuals screens.
The chart accounts for each of these scenarios in order to allow individuals to have an understanding of the worst-case scenario for their bandwidth requirements for video calls. Common mistakes include disregarding the factors discussed above, and making decisions that do not account for each of these factor. For instance, individuals may purchase several security cameras of high resolution, but plan on using the storage drive for several weeks at a time.
The math behind video storage drives does work against these individuals. Additionally, some individuals may purchase an internet streaming service that utilizes 4K resolutions, but there internet connection does not allow for the data transfer that is required to support these high resolutions. Finally, the purchase of newer codecs without ensuring that the devices can decode those newer codecs can result in the device re-encoding the same data, negating the benefit of the purchase of those newer codecs.
In making decisions regarding bandwidth, there are tradeoffs that must be made. For example, if an individual values the storage of data, as well as having limits to the amount of data that is uploaded to the internet, he or she may choose an efficient codec. If, however, the individual values the compatibility of the codec with older devices, the individual may opt for the purchase of one of the older codecs.
The factors discussed above will allow individuals to make each of these tradeoffs clearly visible before they make their decisions. Most homes will benefit from providing for a connection and storage device that provides for an amount of bandwidth that is slightly in excess of the needs of the home and its inhabitants. Providing for a connection and storage device for the home at levels that only meet the needs of the current inhabitants will result in a lack of data for the home within a few years alone.
Furthermore, providing for the needs of the current home will ensure that individuals do not have to retrofit the homes bandwidth provisions, which is more cost-effective than retroactively providing for the homes demands.