How to change camera settings

This guide will help you change video and audio settings of your cameras within LiveReach App. Achieving optimal video quality involves understanding and configuring key parameters. Let's delve into these parameters and discuss how to strike the right balance for better quality while considering tradeoffs.

Camera Resolution

Resolution refers to the number of pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. It's commonly expressed as width x height. The most common resolutions for IP cameras include 2MP (1080p), 4MP (1440p), 5MP (1920p), and 8MP (4K/2160p). The higher the resolution, the more pixels an image contains, and the clearer the image will be. it is important to consider the resolution that best suits your needs. For instance, if you want to read license plates or identify an intruder’s face, a higher resolution camera is recommended.

Note : Higher resolution provides more detail but demands increased bandwidth and storage

Bitrate

The bitrate of a camera is the amount of data that is transmitted per second from the camera to the storage device. It is measured in bits per second (bps) and determines the quality of the video and how much data will be Search for Articles used to play it. It is important to choose the right bitrate for your camera to ensure that the video quality is optimal and the file size is not too large. The optimal bitrate depends on several factors such as the resolution, frame rate, and the type of content being recorded.

Note : Higher bitrates enhance image quality but consume more bandwidth and storage

Frames Per Second (FPS)

FPS stands for Frames Per Second. It is a measure of the number of frames that a camera captures per second. The frame rate is typically the frequency at which consecutive images (frames) are captured or displayed. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the video will appear. In Video Surveillance industry, the recommended frame rate is about 15 fps.

Note: Higher FPS demands more processing power and bandwidth. Balancing with storage capacity is crucial.

Encoding Standard

Video encoding is the process of converting raw video data into a compressed format that can be stored or transmitted more efficiently. A video codec is a software or hardware implementation capable of compression or decompression to/from a specific video coding format. Some video coding formats are documented by a detailed
technical specification document known as a video coding specification. Some such specifications are written and approved by standardization organizations as technical standards, and are thus known as a video coding standard.

H.264 and H.265 are two popular video codecs used for video compression. H.264, also known as AVC (Advanced Video Coding), is an older codec that was released in 2003. H.265, also known as HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), is a newer codec that was released in 2013. H.265 achieves higher compression efficiency, resulting in better video quality at lower bitrates.

Choose H265 Especially if you're dealing with higher resolutions or limited bandwidth.

Audio Encoding Formats

Audio encoding formats refer to the methods used to compress and encode audio data for transmission and storage. Several audio encoding formats are commonly used in the industry. Here are a few popular ones: G.711, G.726, AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), G.722.

Note : LiveReach App only supports AAC Encoding standard for now.

Audio Sampling

The audio sampling rate in security cameras, as well as in various audio applications, is typically measured in Hertz (Hz) and represents the number of samples of audio per second. Common audio sampling rates used in security cameras and other audio recording devices include: 8kHz, 16kHz. Most of the Security Cameras support 8 kHz. Some of the expensive cameras support 16kHz for better quality of audio.

Audio Bitrate

The audio bitrate in security cameras refers to the amount of data used to represent audio information per unit of time. Bitrate is measured in kilobits per second (kbps). Most of the Security cameras in industry support bitrates up to 8kbps - 16kbps.

Recommended Settings

Note: These recommended settings serve as a baseline, allowing users to tailor configurations based on their unique requirements.

To optimize the performance of LiveReach AI cameras, it's essential to configure the settings based on your specific use case. Below are recommended settings for different scenarios:

Standard Regular LiveReach Cameras:

Resolution: 1920 x 1080 / 2560 x 1440 2K
FPS (Frames Per Second): 20
Bitrate: 1024 - 3072
Encoding: H.265

LiveReach Inspection Cameras (Cameras with LPR, AI Analytics Enabled):

Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K) - Recommended
FPS (Frames Per Second): 15
Bitrate: 4096
Encoding: H.265

Other Camera Brands :

Resolution: 1080p / 2K / 4K (Depending on the purpose of the camera)
FPS (Frames Per Second): 15-20
Bitrate: 1024-4096
Encoding: H.264 / H.265

Note: Not all brands support H.265. If the camera is on H.264 and 1080p resolution, ensure a bitrate is at least 2048. For 4K resolution on H.264, a bitrate of at least 4096 is recommended.

Recommended Audio Settings

Note: Make sure to set Audio Encoding to AAC. LiveReach AI can only work with AAC format. If your camera doesn't support AAC, then set it to G.711

Encoding : AAC
Sampling Rate : 8 kHz
bitrate : 8 kbps

Important Considerations

Camera settings are not standardized across all brands, and image quality may vary.
It's recommended to start with the settings provided by LiveReach AI and then fine-tune based on your specific camera's capabilities and requirements.
LiveReach AI provides a starting point for settings, but adjustments may be needed based on individual camera models.
If you encounter challenges or need assistance in determining the best settings for your specific cameras, don't hesitate to reach out to LiveReach Support. Our support team is available to provide guidance tailored to your camera models and use cases.

How to Update the Camera Settings

Log in into your LiveReach Account
Go to Configuration at the left hand panel in the page
Under Cameras Tab, you should be able to see list of cameras and their status in a table. Scroll to left and click on pencil icon ✏️
Navigate to Camera Settings tab.
If your don't see anything or see an error after Camera Settings tab is clicked, Please reach out to LiveReach Support. We can do it for you.
Your should be able to see your current Video and Audio profiles in the camera. Make sure to set all Video and Audio Settings to Recommended Settings.
After changing the settings, Click on Save Button at the bottom.




Note: If you see an error like Failed to load Media Profiles when camera settings is opened for a camera, then you can try accessing the camera settings using the IP address of the camera with in cameras local network.

Connect your computer / laptop to your Camera's network on site (same network as LiveReach NVR is connected to)
Log in into your LiveReach Account
Go to Configuration Page and Select IP address you want to change to




Type the IP address of the camera in another tab in browser and press enter



You should be able to access to camera's login page. If you cannot see anything, then your camera is either offline or your computer is not reachable to that camera in the network that is connected to. In that case, try connecting via ethernet to the same switch as the camera.
For most of the IP camera brands, it it supports RTSP, it will support media profiles. Navigate to Configuration / Settings page and look if there a section for Video/Encode Settings



Note: Please be aware that the layout and functionality of the login and settings pages may vary depending on the manufacturer. However, you will typically find a similar interface across most cameras for adjusting video and audio settings.

Reach out to LiveReach Support if you are not sure about changing settings using above steps (directly accessing via IP address with in camera's local network).

Citations:
https://www.securityinformed.com/insights/enhanced-264-compression-remain-encoding-video-surveillance-co-3425-ga.20698.html
https://www.castlesecurity.com.au/understanding-your-cctv-cameras-bitrate/
https://ipvm.com/reports/audio-surveillance-guide
https://www.cctvcameraworld.com/security-cameras/difference-between-h264-and-h265-codecs/
https://securitycamcenter.com/hikvision-recommended-video-settings/

Updated on: 28/03/2024