OnCloud: How do I set the camera resolution and bitrate?

Applies to: OnCloud

Summary

Video quality can be adjusted using the Resolution and Recording Bitrate settings. Increasing resolution enhances video detail. Recording bitrate determines the number of bits per second allowed by the encoder. Higher recording bitrates improve image quality (more bits per pixel) and increase network load and storage consumption. As the bitrate is increased beyond 2 or 3 Mbps, there are diminishing returns. Each incremental increase over that threshold provides decreased improvement to the image quality in most circumstances. 

Setting Camera Resolution and Recording Bitrate

To set the resolution:

1. Log in to Cloud Portal.
   
   
2. Navigate to  OnCloud.
   
   

3. Click  Cameras  in the top menu.

   
   The Device list appears.
   
   

4. Find the device to configure in the Device list, and click the three-dot menu for that device.
   
   
5. Click Camera Settings.
   
   
   
   
6. On the Device Settings page, click Video Settings.
   
   
7. Click the Resolution drop-down list and select the resolution.
   
   
   
   
8. Use the Recording Bitrate toggle to adjust the bitrate. Here, the rate is set to 720 Kbps.
   
   

Set a Recording Bitrate Schedule

You can also set a recording bitrate schedule. For example, you may want to increase bitrates during times when you want improved recording quality, such as on weekends or late at night if a facility or area is unoccupied. You can schedule up to three recording bitrates.

To set a recording bitrate schedule:

1. Click Set a Schedule for Recording Bitrate.
   
   
2. In the Set a Schedule for Recording Bitrate box, select the Maximum Recording Bitrate, the Day(s) for which the maximum bitrate applies, and the Time Range. Here, the maximum recording bitrate is set to 3.0 Mbps on Saturdays, from 12:00am to 11:59pm. 
   
   
   
   
   
3. Click Add.
   

   NOTE: After clicking Add, a camera reboot is required to apply the change. 
   No video is recorded to the Cloud during the restart.

    

4. Click Confirm to apply the scheduled recording bitrate change.

   The Recording Bitrate box now reflects the scheduled bitrate increase for Saturdays.
   
   
   
   
   

   NOTE: You can toggle this scheduled recording bitrate on and off, and edit 
   the scheduled bitrate by clicking the pencil ( ).