Quick Takeaways

• UniFi Protect exposes High/Medium/Low streams; map them to recording, grids, and remote/mobile.
• Higher resolution increases detail but multiplies bitrate and storage.
• Tune profiles alongside FPS, compression, and codec for best results.
• Use Low/Medium for multi‑cam grids; reserve High for recording or single‑cam focus.

What Resolution and Profiles Do

Resolution sets spatial detail (4K/2K/1080p). Stream profiles provide parallel encodes used for recording and live views. High is typically the main recording stream; Medium/Low support browser grids and mobile devices.

How to set Stream Profiles

Open the UniFi Protect web app.
Go to Cameras in the sidebar.
Click the camera you want to adjust.
Select Settings → Video.
Scroll to the Stream Profiles section. You’ll see:
High (full resolution — e.g., 4K/2K/1080p depending on the model)
Medium (lower resolution, often 720p/1080p)
Low (mobile-friendly, typically 360p–480p)
Choose which profile is used for Recording (usually High) and which profile is used for Live View in the app/browser (Medium or Low, especially in multi-camera grid view).
Apply / Save.

Best‑Practice Combinations

• General monitoring: Record High at 2K/1080p, 15–20 FPS, mid compression. View Medium/Low for multi‑cam walls.
• Detail‑critical (plates/faces): Record High at 4K, 25–30 FPS, 70–80% quality. View Medium for checks; Low for grids.
• Bandwidth‑constrained (LTE/WISP): Record High at 1080p, 12–15 FPS, more compression. View Low for grids; Medium pop‑outs as needed.

Interactions With Other Settings

• Compression: 4K magnifies artifacts—budget a bit more bitrate at higher resolutions.
• FPS: Resolution × FPS sets much of your bitrate—if you raise one, consider lowering the other.
• Codec: H.265 shines at high resolutions but mind browser support.

Cheat Sheet

• Porch/yard: High 1080p, 15–20 FPS, mid compression; view Medium/Low.
• Plates/driveway: High 4K, 25–30 FPS, higher quality; view Medium to inspect.
• Remote/mobile: Low for grids; Medium for a single camera when needed.

Final Tips

Calibrate on your worst network path to ensure smooth live views. Test day and night; low light stresses encoders at higher resolutions. Keep profile roles consistent across cameras for simpler troubleshooting.

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

Related Posts: See FPS, Codec, and Aspect Ratio