Quick Takeaways

• Total bitrate is driven by resolution × FPS × compression.
• Some models expose bitrate caps; otherwise shape bitrate via compression/FPS/resolution.
• Use Low/Medium profiles for multi‑cam grids and mobile; reserve High for recording/single‑cam.
• Budget per‑stream targets for LTE/remote sites and leave headroom.

What Bitrate Controls Do

A bitrate cap (if available) sets a target data rate. Without caps, compression/FPS/resolution shape bitrate indirectly. Each active stream consumes bandwidth—live grids can multiply usage quickly.

How to change Bitrate/Bandwidth Settings

Log into the UniFi Protect web app.
Go to Cameras and select the camera.
Click Settings → Video.
Find the section for Video Quality / Compression and FPS.
Video Quality slider (compression): Higher quality = higher bitrate, lower quality = lower bitrate.
FPS (frames per second): Higher FPS = more data per second.
Resolution / Stream Profile: High, Medium, Low — High = most data, Low = least.
Adjust these together to manage bandwidth:
Reduce FPS and/or quality to cut bandwidth.
Choose Medium or Low profile for remote/live view.
Keep High for recordings if you need detail.
Save / Apply.

Remote Viewing Strategy

• Measure the worst‑case uplink (e.g., 5–10 Mbps).
• Allocate per camera for live grids (e.g., 300–600 kbps Low, 800–1500 kbps Medium).
• Keep recording on High locally; view Medium/Low remotely.

Suggested Settings by Constraint

• Very limited uplink (≤5 Mbps): Low profile for grids, 480–720p, 10–15 FPS, more compression.
• Moderate uplink (5–20 Mbps): Medium for focus cams, 720–1080p, 15–20 FPS, mid compression.
• Local LAN viewing: High as needed, higher FPS/resolution, higher quality.

Cheat Sheet

• Grids: Low at 10–15 FPS, higher compression.
• Single‑cam popout: Medium at 15–20 FPS, mid compression.
• Recording: High at 1080p–4K, FPS as needed, quality bumped for detail.

Final Tips

Leave 20–30% headroom under your uplink to avoid congestion. Stuttering? Lower FPS first, then increase compression. Test with simultaneous viewers—concurrency multiplies bandwidth needs.

More Settings: See the Ultimate Guide to UniFi Protect Video Settings

Related Posts: Also read Compression, Resolution, and FPS.