The evolution of bitrate in the video industry has been a significant factor in developing higher-quality video content. In the past, bitrate was limited by the technology available at the time.
However, as technology has improved over the years, so has the ability to transmit higher bitrates. This has allowed for the production of higher-quality video content. Today, bitrates are much higher than they were in the past. This has allowed the production of 4K video content, which is significantly higher quality than standard HD video. Additionally, this increased bitrate has allowed for the transmission of video content over the internet, revolutionizing the way people consume video content.
With that settled, let's get started!
What is Bitrate?
Bitrate is the rate at which data is transmitted in a given amount of time. It's usually measured in bits per second (bps). Bitrate is used to measure the amount of data transmitted in a given time and is typically used to measure the transmission rate of digital audio, video, and other media.
Bitrate can also be used to describe the amount of data that is being stored on a storage device. For example, a storage device with a higher bitrate will be able to store more data in the same amount of time than a device with a lower bitrate.
In audio and video, bitrate is used to measure the amount of data that is needed to produce a given level of quality. The higher the bitrate, the more data is needed to produce the same audio or video quality.
What is Video Bitrate?
Video bitrate is the amount of data that is needed to produce a given level of video quality. It is typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps). The higher the video bitrate, the more data is needed to produce a given level of quality.
The video bitrate is determined by several factors, including the resolution of the video, the frame rate, and the codec used to compress the video. The codec is the software used to compress the video, which can significantly impact the video bitrate.
Higher video bitrates can produce better-quality video but require more bandwidth and storage capacity. This can be a problem for streaming services, as they must balance the video quality with the available bandwidth and storage capacity.
How Does Bitrate Affect Video Quality?
Bitrate has a direct impact on video quality. The higher the bitrate, the better the video quality will be. This is because more data is needed to produce a given level of quality. Higher bitrates come with higher bandwidth and storage capacities, thus, making it easier for more data to be transmitted per unit.
But, that results in a trade-off between quality and available resources. So then, we can’t say that a higher bitrate is always better because a higher bitrate will always result in larger file sizes, although better quality. Streaming services must balance the video quality with the available bandwidth and storage capacity in order to provide the best viewing experience to the viewers. Ideally, you wish for the bitrate to be high enough so that your video is as clear as possible but not so high that there’s a buffer issue while your viewers are trying to stream the video.
Also, video bitrate isn't the only factor that affects video quality. Video quality can also be affected by the codec compressing the video. Different codecs have different compression algorithms, which can affect video quality. Other factors that affect video quality are resolution and frame rate. Higher resolution and higher frame rates produce better video quality.
Apart from that, here are some of the most recommended bit rates across different platforms:
- Facebook Live recommends a max bitrate of 4,000 Kbps plus a max audio bitrate of 128 Kbps.
- YouTube Live recommends a range between 1,500 and 4,000 Kbps for video plus 128 Kbps for audio.
- Twitch recommends a range between 2,500 and 4,000 Kbps for video, plus up to 160 Kbps for audio.
Does Video Bitrate Affect Video Resolution and FPS?
Video bitrate affects video resolution and FPS, but the effect is less direct than quality. Higher video bitrates require more bandwidth and storage capacity, which can affect the resolution and FPS of the video.
For example, a higher bitrate can require more processing power, reducing the video's resolution and FPS. Considering the available resources when setting the video bitrate is important, as this can impact the video resolution and FPS.
Different Types of Rate Control Methods for Video bitrate
Rate Control Methods in video bitrates are techniques used to ensure that video streams are transmitted at a rate that does not exceed the available bandwidth. The video quality can be maintained at a predetermined level by controlling the bitrate. Rate control methods can also be used to reduce the amount of data that needs to be sent by adjusting the bit rate based on the current network conditions.
There are three main rate control methods for video bitrates: VBR, CBR, and CRF. Let's look at these three rate control methods in detail:
VBR
VBR stands for Variable bitrate, and it is a type of rate control method that adjusts the bitrate based on the content of the video. VBR is typically used for streaming services, as it allows the bitrate to be adjusted in real-time, depending on the content of the video. VBR works by analyzing the video and adjusting the bitrate accordingly. If the video is complex, the bitrate will be increased to ensure that the video is not distorted. If the video is simple, the bitrate will be decreased to conserve bandwidth and storage capacity.
VBR is a good choice for streaming services, as it allows them to provide the best quality video without using too much bandwidth or storage capacity.
CRF
CRF stands for Constant Rate Factor, a rate control method that keeps the bitrate constant throughout the video. CRF is typically used for video files, as it allows the bitrate to remain constant for the duration of the video. CRF is generally used for video files stored locally, such as on a hard drive or USB drive. It is not typically used for streaming services, as it does not allow the bitrate to be adjusted in real-time.
CRF is a good choice for video files, as it allows the bitrate to remain constant for the entire video. This ensures that the video does not have any distortion or artifacts.
CBR
CBR (Constant bitrate) is a method of encoding video and audio where the bitrate is kept constant throughout the entire file. The CBR encoder is set to a specific bitrate, such as 128 kbps for audio or 2 Mbps for video. The encoded file will maintain that bitrate regardless of the complexity of the content.
Some situations in which CBR is best used are streaming audio and video over low-bandwidth networks where consistent quality is more important than file size, broadcasting or other applications where the bitrate must be guaranteed to meet specific standards, compressing files for CD or DVD where the bitrate must be constant to ensure compatibility with all devices, compressing audio files for streaming platforms where the bitrate must be constant for consistent playback, and such.
How Does Video Compression Impact Bitrate?
Video compression affects video bitrate by reducing the size of the file. This can be accomplished by removing redundant data, applying algorithms to reduce the amount of data needed to represent the video, and changing the format of the video to a more efficient one. The result of these processes is a smaller video file that requires less bandwidth to download and stream, resulting in a lower bitrate.
For example, if a video file has a bitrate of 10Mbps, after applying video compression, the bitrate of the video file could be reduced to 8Mbps or 6Mbps, depending on the level of compression applied.
As video compression algorithms improve, videos can be compressed more and more at the same quality, lowering the video's bitrate. Different compression codecs have a substantial effect on the bitrate. For example, VP9 files are almost 50% smaller than VP8, and AV1 files are 30% smaller than VP9.
When done correctly, video compression and bitrate can be adjusted appropriately to provide the best video experience without too much bandwidth or storage. You can perfectly achieve this with Per-title-encoding.
Per-title-encoding
Per-title encoding is a type of video encoding that is designed to produce the best quality video for each title. It works by analyzing the video content and adjusting the bitrate accordingly.
Per-title encoding is typically used for streaming services, as it allows them to provide the best quality video for each title without using too much bandwidth or storage capacity. It is also a good choice for video files, as it allows the bitrate to be adjusted for each video file.
With Gumlet, you get a chance to work around with per-title-encoding without putting much effort. While analyzing the video content, the tool automatically chooses the best possible bitrate for your video, thereby making things a lot more streamlined and automated.
Best Video Bitrate Settings for Streaming?
The best video bitrate settings for streaming will depend on the type of content being streamed, the available bandwidth, and the available storage capacity.
Generally speaking, streaming services should aim for a bitrate of 5-10 Mbps for 1080p video and 10-15 Mbps for 4k video. It is also important to consider the available bandwidth and storage capacity, as higher bitrates require more of both. Here's a short comparison table to give you a better understanding of what bitrates you should aim for with respect to the resolutions:
| Resolution | Bitrate (Mbps) |
|---|---|
| 1080p | 8 |
| 720p | 5 |
| 480p | 2.5 |
| 360p | 1 |
How to Measure Video Bitrate?
Video bitrate can be measured using video streaming analytics tools. These tools can provide detailed insights into the bitrate of a video stream, as well as other metrics such as resolution, frame rate, and codecs used.
These tools can be used to measure the bitrate of streaming services and video files stored locally. This can be useful for optimizing the bitrate of a video stream or a video file, as well as for troubleshooting any issues with the video quality.
Video Bitrate Calculator
The Video Bitrate Calculator is a tool that can be used to calculate the optimal video bitrate for a given video file or streaming service. The calculator can be used to calculate the bitrate for a given resolution, frame rate, and codec, as well as for a given bandwidth and storage capacity.
The Video Bitrate Calculator is a useful tool for streaming services, as it allows them to calculate the optimal bitrate for a given video file or streaming service. It can also be used to troubleshoot any issues with the video quality, as it can be used to calculate the bitrate for a given resolution, frame rate, and codec.
Some of the better bitrate calculator tools available online that you can easily use for figuring out the best bitrate for your video include:
Conclusion
The evolution of bitrate in the video industry will continue to be essential as technology improves. As technology becomes more advanced, higher bitrates will become available, allowing for the production of even higher-quality video content. This will ultimately lead to a more immersive viewing experience for consumers.
In this blog post, we've looked at what bitrate is, how it affects video quality, and the different rate control methods for video bitrates. We've also discussed how video compression impacts bitrate and the best settings for streaming. Finally, we've answered some of the most common questions about bitrate, such as what is the video bitrate for 720p-60fps, 1080p, and 4k video.
We hope this blog post has helped you understand bitrate and how it affects video quality. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave comments below!
FAQs
1. What is the video bitrate for 720p 60fps?
The video bitrate for 720p 60fps is typically around 5-10 Mbps, depending on the codec used to compress the video. It is important to consider the available bandwidth and storage capacity, as higher bitrates require more of both.
2. What is the video bitrate for 1080p?
The video bitrate for 1080p is typically around 5-10 Mbps, depending on the codec used to compress the video. It is important to consider the available bandwidth and storage capacity, as higher bitrates require more of both.
3. What is the encoding/transcoding bitrate ladder?
The encoding/transcoding bitrate ladder is a chart that shows the recommended bitrate for a given resolution, frame rate, and codec. The chart is typically used to determine the optimal bitrate for a given video file or streaming service. The encoding/transcoding bitrate ladder can be used to determine the optimal bitrate for a given resolution, frame rate, and codec. It is also a useful tool for troubleshooting any issues with video quality, as it can be used to calculate the bitrate for a given resolution, frame rate, and codec.
4. What is a good bitrate for a 4K video?
A good bitrate for a 4K video is typically around 10-15 Mbps, depending on the codec used to compress the video. It is important to consider the available bandwidth and storage capacity, as higher bitrates require more of both.