What has security cameras got to do with bandwidth? In order to record or stream videos, WiFi security cameras should be hooked up to cloud. This consumes a huge amount of data and bandwidth. If you’re using DSL connection, a normal security camera itself will strip a huge chunk of your bandwidth. Most of the users are unaware of this fact. They set up high-quality video streaming for their cameras. This results in poor WiFi or internet connection.
Adding a few more security cameras to the network can drain the data completely. This takes place when recording continuously and the video quality is very high. For those who have data and bandwidth limits per month, this might be a matter of concern. Guess what! WiFi security cameras won’t affect the speed if you’re not accessing the cameras remotely. So through this post, let’s take a look at how security cameras affect WiFi speed and how to handle them.
Factors that affect wireless camera bandwidth consumption:
Does 4-5 security cameras impact internet data usage? The bandwidth usage of IP cameras may vary based on certain aspects. They are:
- Camera resolution.
Cameras that provide high resolution, needs lots of bandwidth. This needs more storage facility, resulting in a slow speed of the internet. For example. A 6 MP security camera needs higher bandwidth compared to a 3MP camera or a 2 MP security camera.
- of cameras used.
Based on the number of cameras installed, the data consumption varies. More IP cameras mean more data and bandwidth usage.
- Frame Rate per Second.
The FPS decides the quality of your WiFi security camera recordings. Higher the FPS, the more clear your footage would be. This rate can impact the data that your security camera is using.
- Compression.
This is one of the major factors that affect data used in CCTV cameras. There are 2 popular compression standards in the field of security cameras. They are as follows:
- 264.
- MJPEG/MJPEG-4.
How to calculate the bandwidth used by WiFi security cameras?
The bandwidth usage of the security camera can be determined using the above factors. Compression, number of cameras, FPS and camera resolution are used for the calculation. The formula is as follows:
Bandwidth = Frame Size*1024*8 *FPS*the Number of Cameras / 1000000
Find it hard to get the required information? Online tools such as bandwidth calculator for security cameras can be used. Each camera needs a minimum speed to upload videos online.
- For standard quality videos, 1 Mbps is required.
- For high definition recordings, around 2.5 Mbps is needed.
Methods to reduce bandwidth usage of security cameras:
Are you worried about your network data getting drained due to security cameras? Relax! We have some great tips to help you reduce the consumption of bandwidth.
- Reduce the Frames Per Second.
By decreasing the FPS, you can lower the load on your home network. This will keep it from reducing your internet speed. Although it’s great to capture videos using high FPS, it may slow down your WiFi connection. About 15 FPS is sufficient to capture your indoor video surveillance well. It will provide a good and clear picture that is needed for security reasons.
- Choose the right format for compression.
You have to be familiar with your wireless security camera and it’s settings. Only then, you can decide the compression format that is best for you. Let’s consider. Do you plan to manage the storage facility of your wireless camera? Then the H.264 format is the one for you. It helps reduce the storage requirements of the security camera. The format also saves you from consuming lots of data and bandwidth.
- Route the cameras to separate networks.
This method can give promising results. You can make use of a double router system. Redirect the load of the security camera from the main router to a secondary one in the network. For remote access, connect the server to the secondary router. Maintain the rest of the network connections in the main router.
- The correct resolution matters.
Select a security camera that has a lesser resolution, but gives good results. For sure, you wouldn’t prefer to compromise on security measures while selecting a camera. Take note of the area that needs monitoring! Only then you should decide on the resolution of the camera you want.
- Go for motion detection cameras.
Certain cameras start recording only when a movement takes place. As a result, a lot of data is not consumed and saves bandwidth. These are usually battery powered cameras. Tuning your camera to the mode of motion detection slightly varies. However, the end result is effective.
Conclusion:
In this post, you have seen how wireless outdoor security cameras impact the speed of the internet. Who wouldn’t prefer to have a security system that won’t affect their monthly data? Have you encountered this issue? Let us know about it in the comment section below.
Related Topic: Do I Need A Static IP Address For Security Cameras?
