Your cart
Your cart is empty
Planning Notice: Network speed estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual performance may vary depending on camera bitrate, resolution, compression, frame rate, scene activity, switch uplink speed, PoE budget, router/firewall performance, internet upload speed, and number of remote users.
Network Speed Planning
Camera Bandwidth Requirements
Every IP camera uses network bandwidth. Higher resolution, higher bitrate, higher frame rate, and more cameras will require stronger switches, better uplinks, and a properly sized NVR.
Basic Formula: Total camera bandwidth = Camera bitrate × Number of cameras. Example: 8 cameras × 4096 Kbps = 32768 Kbps, or about 32.8 Mbps.
Example System Bandwidth Requirements
Network Planning Notice: Always leave extra bandwidth headroom. Do not run camera networks at 100% capacity. Network performance can be affected by switch uplink speed, PoE budget, cable quality, router/firewall performance, remote users, recording settings, and other devices sharing the same network.
Remote Viewing Speed Planning
Internet Upload Speed Needed for Remote Viewing
When viewing cameras remotely from a phone, tablet, or computer, the most important speed is the upload speed at the camera or NVR location. The camera site must have enough upload bandwidth to send video out to remote users.
Mobile Viewing
Use sub-stream for phones and tablets. It uses less upload speed and usually loads faster.
Upload Speed
The camera/NVR location needs enough upload speed to send video to remote users.
Multiple Users
More remote users can multiply bandwidth usage, especially when viewing main stream.
Remote Viewing Upload Speed Guide
Main Stream
Higher Quality, More Bandwidth
Main stream gives better image quality, but it uses much more upload speed. Use it when you need high detail, playback review, or event investigation.
Sub-Stream
Lower Bandwidth, Better for Mobile
Sub-stream is best for mobile apps and multi-camera remote viewing. It reduces lag and works better on limited upload speed or cellular networks.
Remote Viewing Notice: Actual remote viewing performance can be affected by internet upload speed, cellular signal, Wi-Fi quality, router/firewall settings, P2P cloud connection, VPN, number of users, camera bitrate, recorder limits, and whether the app is using main stream or sub-stream.
Remote Viewing Speed Checker
Check If Your Internet Upload Speed Is Enough
Enter your internet speed and camera viewing setup below. This tool helps estimate whether your upload speed is enough for remote camera viewing from a phone, tablet, or computer.
This tool does not run a live internet speed test. Run a speed test at the camera/NVR location first, then enter the upload and download results here.
Enter speed results from your internet provider or speed test app.
Remote Viewing Speed Checker
Estimated Bandwidth Needed
3.8 Mbps
Upload Speed Result
Good
Recommendation
Use sub-stream for best performance.
Enter your internet speed information and click the button to check remote viewing performance.
Speed Test Note: This tool does not directly test internet speed. For actual speed results, run a speed test at the camera/NVR location, then enter the upload and download numbers here. Remote viewing performance may also depend on router/firewall settings, Wi-Fi quality, cellular signal, P2P/cloud connection, VPN, recorder limits, camera bitrate, and number of remote users.
Need Help Planning Your Camera Network?
Tell us how many cameras you need, camera resolution, remote viewing requirements, and your internet upload speed. NSI Security can help recommend the correct recorder, PoE switch, hard drive, and network setup for your project.
Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm Eastern Time
Phone: 856-317-0600
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.