Choosing the Right Video Bitrate for Streaming

Ever tried watching a high-definition video on a dial-up connection? It’s like trying to send a bowling ball through a garden hose—next to impossible.

Whether you’re a content creator, a streamer, or simply a viewer, understanding video bitrate is crucial for a seamless and enjoyable streaming experience. This guide explores the nuances of video bitrate, its impact on quality and performance, and strategies for optimizing it.

We’ll start by understanding the basics of bitrate and resolution and then dive into advanced techniques like adaptive bitrate streaming and encoder settings. So, let’s not delay and get started with the meaning of the word, bitrate.

What’s Video Bitrate?

Think of video bitrate as the speed limit on a digital highway. It refers to the rate at which bits or data are transmitted or processed. In the context of video, it’s the amount of data that is transferred per second when viewing videos online.

Bitrate effectively sets the pace at which your video data travels. A high bitrate means your video data travels fast, resulting in a smoother and higher-quality viewing experience.

While bitrate and resolution are often intertwined, they are distinct concepts.

• Resolution: This refers to the number of pixels in an image or video. It’s like the canvas size on which the picture is painted. A higher resolution means more pixels, leading to a sharper and more detailed image.
• Bitrate: This determines the amount of data used to represent each second of video. It’s like the number of colors used to paint the picture. A higher bitrate allows for more color depth, smoother motion, and finer details.

Why Does Bitrate Matter?

A higher bitrate generally means a sharper and clearer video and a smoother streaming experience, especially for high-resolution videos. However, a higher bitrate requires a faster internet connection. If your internet speed isn’t sufficient, a high bitrate can lead to buffering and pixelation.

The higher the bitrate, the larger the file. A video recorded or processed at a high bitrate will take longer to upload. If you’re uploading a high-resolution video, consider compressing it to a lower bitrate to reduce file size without sacrificing too much quality.

How is Bitrate Measured?

Video bitrate is measured in kilobits per second (kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps). A higher number means a higher bitrate and better video quality.

• Low Bitrate: Around 500 kbps. This bitrate suits low-resolution videos like those shared on social media or older devices. It is also typical for streaming low-quality video on slow internet connections.
• Medium Bitrate: Between 1-3 Mbps. This is a good range for standard-definition (SD) videos, like 480p, and can provide decent quality for most viewers.
• High Bitrate: 4 Mbps and above. This is ideal for high-definition (HD) and 4K videos. However, the specific bitrate required can vary depending on the resolution, frame rate, and desired quality. For example, a 1080p video might need 8-12 Mbps, while a 4K video requires 15-25 Mbps or more.

Check out this insightful YouTube video from Kellan Reck that will give you a good overview of the term.

Video Bit Rate: An Easy Overview (2023)

So, the next time you stream a movie or upload a video, keep an eye on the bitrate. It’ll help you understand why some videos look better than others. 

Now that you know what bitrate is, let’s explore the factors influencing this crucial component.

Factors Affecting Video Bitrate Selection

As you might have determined by now, video bitrate greatly influences video quality online. While a higher bitrate can lead to sharper images and smoother motion, it also increases file size and bandwidth requirements.

Let’s go through each of the key factors affecting video bitrate selection and how to optimize it for your specific needs.

1. Resolution

Resolution, measured in pixels, determines the clarity and detail of a video image. A higher resolution means more pixels, which translates to a sharper and more defined picture.

• High Resolution Equals High Bitrate: Videos with higher resolutions, such as 1080p or 4K, require higher bitrates to maintain quality. More pixels mean more data needs to be transmitted per second.
• Balancing Quality and File Size: While a higher bitrate can provide superior quality, it also results in larger file sizes. Striking a balance between quality and file size is essential for efficient streaming and storage.

2. Content Type

The nature of the content in a video will also impact the bitrate. You might have noticed how videos containing a relatively simple slew of images are much easier to play without buffering than a full-length feature film.

• Static vs. Dynamic Content: Static content, like images or slideshows, requires lower bitrates compared to dynamic content with rapid motion, such as sports or action sequences.
• Color Depth and Detail: Videos with vibrant colors and intricate details demand higher bitrates to accurately represent the visual information.

3. Internet Speed

Finally, internet speed is one of the most prevalent factors that affect bitrate. If you’re on an optimized 5G internet connection, you’ll ideally have little to no problems uploading or streaming videos. But there are a few more nuanced considerations to keep in mind.

• Matching Bitrate to Upload Speed: When uploading or streaming videos, select a bitrate within 50-70% of your internet upload speed. Exceeding this limit can lead to buffering, slow uploads, or poor streaming quality.
• Considering Network Congestion: Network congestion can impact internet speeds and, consequently, the achievable bitrate. To account for fluctuations, choose a bitrate below your maximum upload speed.

Recommended Bitrate Settings

Here are some recommended bitrate settings based on common video resolutions and frame rates:

480p (SD)

• Recommended Bitrate: Approximately 1500 kbps
• Frame Rate: 30 fps for standard quality

720p (HD)

• Recommended Bitrate: Approximately 3500 kbps
• Frame Rate: 30 fps for standard quality

1080p (Full HD)

• Recommended Bitrate: Around 5000 kbps
• Frame Rate: 30 fps or higher for smooth motion

Blu-ray (4K or 8K)

4K

• Recommended Bitrate: 15-25 Mbps or higher
• Frame Rate: 30 or 60 fps

8K

• Recommended Bitrate: 100 Mbps or higher
• Frame Rate: 30 or 60 fps

By carefully considering these factors, you can optimize your video bitrate to achieve the desired quality without compromising performance or exceeding your internet bandwidth. With the bitrate foundations set, it’s time to explore encoding settings to consider when creating a video for streaming.

Encoder Settings for Effective Bitrate Utilization

Video encoding is the process of compressing raw video data into a smaller, more manageable file size. Typically, a recorded video has a considerable file size. To make this data suitable for storage and streaming, it needs to be compressed.

Choosing the right encoding settings is crucial for optimizing bitrate because it directly impacts the quality and file size of the video. Here are a few essential things to keep in mind when encoding a video.

Constant Bitrate vs Variable Bitrate

When encoding videos for streaming, the choice between Constant Bitrate and Variable Bitrate is crucial. Both techniques have strengths and weaknesses while affecting the final product’s quality and efficiency in different ways.

• Constant Bitrate: It allocates a fixed amount of data to each frame of the video, ensuring consistent quality throughout the length of the video. However, it can be less efficient in terms of file size, as it may allocate more bits than necessary for simple scenes.
• Variable Bitrate: It adjusts the bitrate based on the complexity of each frame. This results in smaller file sizes, as more bits are allocated to complex scenes and fewer bits to simple scenes. However, VBR can lead to slight variations in quality, especially in scenes with significant changes in complexity.

Video Compression Standard

Video compression standards are de facto standards that people use to encode videos. They are also known as codecs, and each has its distinct properties and functionalities. There are many to try out, and based on what they offer, you can pick the best one for your needs.

• H.264 Main Profile: One of the most widely used profiles within the H.264 codec family. It is an efficient codec for video compression supported on most operating systems and offers a good balance between quality and file size.
• Experiment with other codecs: Try out newer codecs like H.265/HEVC or VP9 for even better compression efficiency, especially for high-resolution videos.

Keyframe Interval

The keyframe interval determines how often the encoder creates a complete frame of video data.

• Shorter Intervals: Reducing keyframe intervals can improve quality but increase file size.
• Longer Intervals: Extending intervals can reduce file size but may impact quality, especially for complex scenes.
• Resolution-Based Intervals: Consider using longer keyframe intervals for higher resolutions to balance quality and file size.

Integrating Bitrate Settings with Encoder Configurations

A great way to balance quality and efficiency is to tune and adjust the bitrate settings in the encoder.

• Target Bitrate: Set the target bitrate to control the overall file size and quality.
• Quality Presets: Use pre-defined quality presets to quickly configure encoder settings.
• Custom Settings: For more control, manually adjust settings like quantization, B-frames, and motion estimation.

Tip: Use real-time analytics tools, like MediaMelon’s SmartSight QoE, to monitor video performance metrics, such as bitrate, buffer rate, and playback errors. This allows you to make timely adjustments to optimize the streaming experience.

With these points in mind, you’re all set to optimize the bitrate of your videos. Now, it’s time to examine how a video’s bitrate affects streaming quality.

Impact of Video Bitrate on Streaming Quality

If you’re in the content creation business, bitrate is one of the most important factors you’ll need to consider when uploading a video for streaming. As illustrated above, aiming for a higher bitrate is good, as it allows for sharper details, smoother motion, and richer colors.

However, there are a few drawbacks if you only upload videos at an extremely high bitrate.

The Trade-Offs:

Buffering: Streaming high-bitrate videos can lead to buffering, especially on slower internet connections. This occurs when the device cannot download the video data fast enough to keep up with playback.

Larger File Sizes: Higher bitrates result in larger file sizes, which can impact storage space and download times.

A Balancing Act:

The key to optimal streaming quality lies in balancing bitrate and internet connection speed. It’s essential to choose a bitrate that is compatible with your audience’s general network conditions. Not everyone will have access to high-speed internet all the time.

Opting for a lower bitrate can prevent buffering and ensure smooth playback. At the same time, choose a bitrate that does not compromise video quality so much that it ruins the viewer’s experience.

Tip: Different streaming platforms, like YouTube and Netflix, have bitrate recommendations for optimal playback. Consider these guidelines when preparing your videos for upload.

But if you don’t want to play this delicate guessing game of picking the best bitrate to upload videos, there is a more straightforward solution.

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming: A Smarter Way to Watch

Adaptive bitrate streaming (ABS) is a technology that dynamically adjusts the video quality based on the viewer’s internet connection speed. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted viewing experience, even in fluctuating network conditions.

If you’re a content creator, you no longer have to consider balancing video quality with an ideal bitrate. If you’re a consumer, you can sit back and relax without worrying about your inconsistent internet connectivity.

How Does It Work?

With ABS in play, you can upload the video in the bitrate with the best quality and let the video player do the rest of the busy work. It optimizes the video for different resolutions in three broad steps, which we’ll look at below:

Initial Assessment: When you start streaming the video, the player assesses your internet connection speed.

Quality Selection: The player selects an appropriate video quality (bitrate) based on your connection speed.

Real-time Adjustment: If your internet connection fluctuates, the player will adjust the video quality to keep playback smooth. If your connection slows, the player may reduce the bitrate to prevent buffering. Conversely, if your connection speeds up, the player may increase the bitrate to deliver higher quality.

Benefits of Adaptive Bitrate Streaming:

• Seamless Video Playback: Adaptive bitrate streaming adjusts to network conditions to minimize buffering, facilitating smooth playback.
• Optimized Resource Usage: The technology efficiently utilizes your internet bandwidth, preventing unnecessary data consumption.
• Improved User Experience: It provides a consistent and enjoyable viewing experience.

Most big OTT players like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube utilize ABS to offer a smooth streaming experience for their audience. But while the platform does its best, you may still encounter some hurdles to a good viewing experience. In the following section, we’ll look at a few strategies to optimize bitrate management.

Tips for Optimal Bitrate Management

To ensure optimal video quality and smooth streaming, it’s essential to manage bitrate effectively. Here are some tools and tips to help you achieve the best results:

Measure Your Internet Speed

• Use Speed Testing Tools: Utilize tools like Speedtest to accurately measure your internet upload and download speeds.
• Understand Your Bandwidth: Knowing your upload speed will help determine the maximum sustainable bitrate for your uploads and streams.

Optimize Your Network Connection

• Wired Connections: Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi whenever possible to ensure a stable and reliable connection.
• Avoid Network Congestion: Avoid using bandwidth-intensive applications during video uploads or streams.
• Router Optimization: Consider optimizing your router’s settings to prioritize video traffic and minimize latency.

Adjust Video Settings

• Resolution: Lowering the video resolution can reduce the required bitrate. For example, switching from 1080p to 720p can significantly decrease file size.
• Frame Rate: Reducing the frame rate can also help lower the bitrate. However, be mindful that lower frame rates can impact the smoothness of motion.

Conclusion

Understanding and effectively managing video bitrate is essential for high-quality streaming experiences. While higher bitrates can lead to superior video quality, they also demand more bandwidth and processing power. Experimentation is key to finding the optimal bitrate settings.

By testing different encoder configurations and relying on ABS technology, creators can offer a seamless streaming experience that prioritizes video quality and stable performance. Users can also optimize network and system settings to access content more smoothly.

Are you looking to provide a great user experience on your OTT platform? MediaMelon can help with its video and ad analytics solutions, which will let you know precisely what is the quality of experience (QOE) for your viewers in real time, and actionable insights on improvising it.

what your viewers want to see.

Want to know more? Book a demo with our experts today and see how MediaMelon can tailor its solutions to boost your OTT platform’s performance.