DW Spectrum - General Recording Recommendations

General Recording Recommendations

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Affected Roles: Administrator, Power Users

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum

Software Version: 6.0

Last Edit: May 20, 2025

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Recording Parameters – Considerations Before Configuration

DW Spectrum IPVMS has the capabilities to support a variety of devices, which can make providing a “one-size-fits-all” configuration difficult. There are several variables to consider when configuring your recording parameters.

Server performance capability
Storage performance capability
Storage retention
Number of recording devices
Recording Type
Resolution, bitrate, framerate, and device codec

High resolution cameras with higher bitrates and framerates provide better quality recordings but use more network bandwidth, storage, and server resources.

On the other hand, low resolution cameras with lower bitrates and framerates allow for better retention time and may allow lower performance servers to function better at the cost of recording quality.

Consider using our IP Storage Calculator to estimate the traffic and storage used, and to see servers that are appropriate for your needs.

General Recommendations for Recording Parameters

The following recommendations are based on a balance between quality and performance but cannot be treated as an optimized configuration.

However, these configurations are often sufficient for most systems, given that the server in use can support the number of devices and can retain storage for a desired timeframe. The recommendations given are based on a single server with single-sensor cameras.

Framerate: 15 FPS (Primary), 7 FPS (Secondary)

Primary Stream – the primary video feed, providing the highest quality for recording and playback.
- 15 frames per second is often sufficient for most scenarios by providing enough frames to capture necessary information, while still providing a relatively smooth video.
Secondary Stream – a second, lower-resolution stream that is used for remote viewing and streaming.
- 7 frames per second is DW Spectrum’s default parameter and can usually be left unchanged.

Resolution: Default

The default resolution of cameras is usually the maximum resolution for the primary stream, while the secondary stream is usually 704 x 480 or lower. It is anticipated that the camera was selected with the intention to use its highest resolution setting.

Codec: H.264

H.264 is the recommended codec, as it offers decent compression while also being fully supported by ONVIF. While H.265 is commonly used without issue, it is not fully supported by ONVIF Profile S, using media2 profiles instead.

Bitrate: Medium to High

A “Medium” quality bitrate is sufficient for images in most scenarios. However, “Medium” is determined by the camera parameters and may not be suitable for every camera in all circumstances.

If image quality is degraded, using the “High” setting may provide a better image.

Optimizing Your Recording Configurations

With the number of variables related to recording, the recommended settings may not cover all your needs. The following will provide a method for retaining as much storage as possible, while attempting to maintain video quality.

This is dependent on what each device on a server needs and may require some adjustments until the optimal settings are found.

FPS Optimization

When cameras are installed, they are usually meant to serve a specific purpose such as tracking foot traffic, creating a record of vehicles, monitoring doorway access, etc. By using a minimal framerate that can reliably capture necessary information for the intended purpose of the camera, the storage retention of the server can hold a higher capacity.

Example Scenarios

Wide FOV image overlooking a parking lot or field: 5~10 FPS
Wide FOV image overlooking a residential front yard: 10~15 FPS
Moderate FOV image overlooking a lobby: 10~15 FPS
Moderate FOV image overlooking a casino table: 20~30 FPS
Narrow FOV image for a license plate camera: 30 FPS and up

Camera installations with the purpose of generally monitoring a large environment can usually use lower framerates, as the loss of frames recorded will not impact the necessary information obtained.

Meanwhile, camera installations that are used to focus on specific objects or activities will likely require a higher framerate to capture all activity in the monitored area.

By only using as high of a framerate as needed in wide FOV cameras, the amount of unnecessary data being stored will be minimal and allow more resources to remain available for cameras that need higher framerates.

Codec Optimization

H.265 offers better compression than H.264, which can cut down on network traffic and storage space needed for footage retention. In most cases, H.265 will suffice and can be used for both the primary and secondary streams if the camera supports H.265.

If the camera does not support H.265, or if there are issues with using H.265, H.264 is adequate and considered better for storage retention than using MJPEG.

Bitrate/Quality

Images with low visual activity or minimal pixel changes may be able to provide virtually lossless images while using a low or medium quality bitrate. The more visual activity or pixel changes that a camera experiences, the higher the bitrate that is required to keep up with changes that need to be recorded. This scenario may have two similar model cameras that require completely different configurations.

Optimizing the bitrate for each camera may require some time to determine if the configuration is appropriate. However, it will help to maintain a high-quality image without consuming an unnecessary amount of additional storage.

Recommended Bitrate/Quality Optimization Process

Set all camera to use a “Medium” bitrate.
Allow the cameras to record over time then review camera recordings of times where the average amount of activity has occurred.
Cameras that maintain a good quality image can likely stay on the “Medium” setting. Cameras whose images start to look blurry or pixelated can be adjusted to use a “High” bitrate setting.
Repeat Step 2. Cameras with a “High” setting that provide a good quality image can remain on “High”. Cameras with blurry or pixelated images can be adjusted to use the “Best” bitrate setting.

By performing this process, each camera is only using as much data as what is necessary while providing a satisfactory image.

Many cameras also support “Region of Interest” (ROI) configurations, which allow the camera to prioritize the bitrate for specific areas of the image. This can allow the use of lower bitrates while still capturing acceptable quality images of specific areas with a camera’s FOV at the expense of image quality when there is activity outside of the ROI. Examples include cameras with analytics, motion detection areas, etc.

Resolution

The camera resolution is usually the last item to consider changing because most cameras are purchased with the resolution in mind as the most important factor. However, if a server is reaching or has passed its limit on supported data throughput, lowering the camera’s primary stream resolution can greatly improve storage retention and reduce network throughput.

Recording Type

Motion Only – This recording type provides high storage retention by only recording when the camera has detected motion within a specified zone. When using motion masking to eliminate unwanted motion detection, the retention period of recordings can be maximized.
Motion + Low Resolution – Used in situations where continuous recording is necessary, but quality is not essential, using a Motion + Low resolution recording type allows the best of both. The system will record motion using a high-resolution stream when motion has been detected, while only using a low-resolution stream for continuous recording when no motion is present. While the storage retention is not as plentiful as using a Motion Only setting, the retention period is higher than using the Continuous recording type.
Continuous – The system will constantly record all video from the camera, regardless of any motion or analytic activity. This recording type uses the most storage and creates the most data traffic. However, it also ensures that all video is recorded using a high-resolution image.

Disabled Optimization, RTSP, and Single-Stream Cameras

If the camera’s Optimization setting is disabled in DW Spectrum, then the recording and camera settings of the DW Spectrum Server become irrelevant. All quality changes will need to be applied to the camera directly using its web client. However, the recommended settings remain the same.

If a camera was added to the DW Spectrum Server using RTSP, it is strongly advised to use a high-resolution for the primary stream and low-resolution for the low resolution stream if available. Using only a high-resolution stream for both streams will impact server performance as well as DW Spectrum Client instances attempting to view the camera.

Cameras with no available secondary stream should be used sparingly to avoid performance issues. Motion should not be used on single-stream cameras unless necessary. The use of too many single-stream cameras with motion recording will greatly impact the performance of the server.

For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: 866.446.3595 (option 4)

https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

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DW Sales: 866.446.3595 [email protected] www.digital-watchdog.com