1. What is CCTV Bandwidth Calculation?

The CCTV Bandwidth calculation estimates the network bandwidth required for a surveillance system based on camera parameters. It helps in planning network infrastructure for video surveillance systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the bandwidth equation:

Where:

• \( Cameras \) — Number of cameras in the system
• \( Resolution \) — Total pixels per frame (width × height)
• \( FPS \) — Frames per second
• \( Bit Depth \) — Color depth in bits per pixel
• \( Compression \) — Compression ratio (e.g., H.264 compression)

Explanation: The equation calculates the raw data rate per camera and multiplies by the number of cameras, accounting for compression savings.

3. Importance of Bandwidth Calculation

Details: Accurate bandwidth estimation is crucial for designing network infrastructure, ensuring smooth video transmission, and preventing network congestion in surveillance systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of cameras, resolution in pixels (e.g., 1920×1080 = 2,073,600), frames per second, bit depth (typically 8-12 bits), and compression ratio (e.g., 100:1 for H.264 would be entered as 100).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical compression ratio for H.264?
A: H.264 typically achieves 50:1 to 100:1 compression, while H.265 can achieve 100:1 to 200:1.

Q2: How does resolution affect bandwidth?
A: Bandwidth increases linearly with resolution. 4K requires about 4× the bandwidth of 1080p.

Q3: What bit depth should I use?
A: Most surveillance cameras use 8-bit color (256 levels per channel), though some high-end models use 10-bit or 12-bit.

Q4: How does FPS affect bandwidth?
A: Bandwidth is directly proportional to FPS. 30 FPS requires twice the bandwidth of 15 FPS.

Q5: Should I include overhead in my calculations?
A: This calculation provides raw bandwidth. For network planning, add 10-20% overhead for protocol headers and network fluctuations.