Training: Bandwidth Basics for Video Surveillance

Bandwidth is a critical, yet under-emphasized aspect of video surveillance. While some suggest bandwidth is free and unlimited, real world IP video systems deal with bandwidth constraints regularly. If you are going to deploy a solution that is reliable and provides high quality video, understanding and ensuring sufficient bandwidth is critical.

Inside the Pro section, we provide a 20 minute video that explains the fundamentals of bandwidth, providing multiple examples of bandwidth 'in action'.

The video screencast should help you answer the following 18 questions:

1. How much bandwidth is needed for a given video feed?
2. How much bandwidth do you have in a given scenario?
3. How do you measure bandwidth?
4. What acronyms are used in measuring bandwidth?
5. What's the difference between bits and bytes?
6. What problem arises when bits and bytes are confused?
7. What IT specialists prefer to use the term bits?
8. What IT specialists prefer to use the term bytes?
9. What is the least and most bandwidth that is generally available?
10. Why is the 'symmetry' of bandwidth important?
11. In what situations, would you have 'asymmetric' bandwidth?
12. How much bandwidth is generally available inside an office?
13. How much bandwidth is generally available going to someone's home?
14. What's the difference between full and half duplex connections?
15. What network types use half rather than full duplex measurements?
16. What are the key drivers of IP camera bandwidth consumption?
17. How much can bandwidth consumption vary for IP cameras?
18. How do you know if you do not have enough bandwidth available?