Network Bandwidth
The amount of bandwidth used by network cameras is determined by several factors, most notably: image resolution, frame rate, and compression ratio.
Resolution
An IP camera's resolution is determined by pixels. The higher the resolution, the higher the pixel-count, and the greater amount of detail you'll be able to capture in a video image. It's important to determine how much detail is enough to meet the requirements of your particular surveillance application. Typically, as the image quality goes up, so does the amount of bandwidth required, so it's best to find a level that meets your needs while optimizing network bandwidth.
Compression
Video compression is an important tool in helping to ease strain on the network. Compression technologies such as Motion JPEG, MPEG-4, and H.264 allow users to stream and record high-quality video without hoarding bandwidth. H.264 is the latest compression technique, dramatically reducing video file sizes while increasing overall efficiency and lowering storage costs.
Frame Rate
Frame rate is something that can be adjusted within your IP camera, video server, or video management software. By controlling the frame rate, you can greatly reduce bandwidth usage and can eliminate unnecessary frames from traveling over the network. One common technique is to set the surveillance system to increase the frame rate only when motion is detected. Another is to send higher frame rates for local viewing, and lower frame rates over the Internet for remote viewing.
