How to set up video streams of IP cameras?

All Sunell IP cameras enable the user to define two independent H.264 video channels. This feature allows for creating high quality stream for video recording and lower quality stream for monitoring over the Internet, e.g. on mobile devices.

Depending on the purpose, the menu of the cameras provides several levels of video compression (Video Encode Type):

• Base Profile - for low-cost applications that require additional data loss robustness like in mobile environments.
• Main Profile - used for standard-definition imaging, e.g. on tablets, netbooks etc.
• High Profile - dedicated for monitoring in local networks and for high-definition video recording. The compression is more effective than in the case of Main Profile (file size ca. 10% smaller for the same quality), but it requires the highest processing power.

Depending on the number of cameras and link/network capacity, the user should select:

• required image Resolution (1920x1080/1280x720/640x360);
• Frame Rate (1...25 fps);
• I Frame Interval (the interval between reference pictures that represent fixed images independent of other picture types). If a camera monitors an area with low traffic, higher values will save the band without noticeable deterioration in image quality;
• Bit Rate type and value (VBR - variable bit rate which cannot exceed the maximum value defined below by the user, dedicated for monitoring low-traffic areas, or CBR - constant bit rate, also defined by the user, dedicated for monitoring more dynamic envirinments);
• Quality level, within the 1 (minimum) to 9 (maximum) range.

Stream parameters must be chosen with care and tested in practice - too high settings will result in ​​unnecessary load on the network and the NVR's CPU, too low values will degrade the image quality.