Video streaming has become an integral part of our digital lives. From social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok to live streaming on Twitch and Netflix, videos are everywhere. However, have you ever wondered how the quality of videos is maintained while streaming? The answer is video bitrate. In this article, we will discuss what video bitrate is, how it is measured, how it impacts video quality, and the best video bitrates for streaming.
What is Video Bitrate?
Video bitrate refers to the amount of data transmitted per second in a video stream. It is measured in bits per second (bps) and is a critical factor in determining the video quality. The higher the bitrate, the better the video quality. However, a higher bitrate also means more data to transmit, which can result in buffering, slow loading times, and increased data usage.
How Is Video Bitrate Measured?
Video bitrate is measured in bits per second (bps). The bitrate represents the amount of data transmitted per second in a video stream. To calculate the bitrate, we multiply the resolution of the video by the frame rate and the color depth.
For example, let’s say we have a video with a resolution of 1080p (1920×1080 pixels), a frame rate of 30 frames per second (fps), and a color depth of 24 bits per pixel. To calculate the bitrate, we can use the following formula:
Bitrate = Resolution x Frame Rate x Color Depth
So, the bitrate for this video would be:
Bitrate = 1920 x 1080 x 30 x 24
Bitrate = 186,624,000 bps
In this example, the video has a bitrate of 186,624,000 bps or approximately 187 Mbps. This means that 187 million bits of data are transmitted every second in this video stream.
It’s important to note that bitrate can vary depending on the compression format used in the video. For example, a video using the H.264 compression format may have a lower bitrate than a video using the HEVC (H.265) compression format while maintaining similar video quality. The compression format determines how efficiently video compression occurs, affecting the bitrate required for a given level of video quality.
How Does Bitrate Impact Video Quality?
Video bitrate has a significant impact on video quality. Generally, the higher the bitrate, the better the video quality, and the lower the bitrate, the lower the video quality. This is because video bitrate refers to the amount of data transmitted per second in a video stream. The more data transmitted per second, the more information there is about the video, resulting in better video quality.
A higher bitrate can result in a video with more details, sharper images, and smoother playback. This is particularly important for videos with fast-paced action or a lot of movement. A higher bitrate can capture more detail in these types of videos, resulting in a better viewing experience.
On the other hand, a lower bitrate can result in a video with fewer details, more artifacts, and a lower resolution. The video may appear blurry or pixelated, particularly during fast-paced action scenes. Lower bitrates may also result in more compression artifacts, which can look like blocks or distortions in the video.
It’s vital to keep in mind that greater bitrates also translate into larger file sizes, which can cause slower internet connections in viewers to experience longer loading and buffering periods. On the other hand, lower bit rates imply smaller file sizes, which lead to quicker load times and less buffering. To guarantee that everyone has a pleasant viewing experience, it is imperative to balance video quality and file size.
Best Video Bitrates for Streaming
The best video bitrate for streaming depends on the platform and the type of content being streamed. Here are some recommended video bitrates for streaming on two popular platforms:
YouTube
For streaming on YouTube, the recommended video bitrate is:
- 1080p at 60fps: 6,000 – 9,000 kbps
- 1080p at 30fps: 3,000 – 6,000 kbps
- 720p at 60fps: 4,500 – 6,000 kbps
- 720p at 30fps: 2,250 – 3,000 kbps
- 480p at 30fps: 500 – 2,000 kbps
- 360p at 30fps: 400 – 1,000 kbps
Twitch
For streaming on Twitch, the recommended video bitrate is:
- 1080p at 60fps: 4,500 – 6,000 kbps
- 1080p at 30fps: 3,500 – 5,000 kbps
- 720p at 60fps: 3,500 – 5,000 kbps
- 720p at 30fps: 1,500 – 3,000 kbps
- 480p at 30fps: 500 – 1,500 kbps
- 360p at 30fps: 300 – 1,200 kbps
Conclusion
Video bitrate plays a crucial role in maintaining video quality while streaming. A higher bitrate results in the better quality video but may also cause buffering and slow loading times. Lower bitrate results in faster loading times but may reduce video quality. It’s essential to choose the appropriate bitrate which suits the video streaming requirements and video delivery systems.
