Question
If I want to use the Vonage Video API, what is the minimum bandwidth required for my network?
Applies To
- Vonage Video API
- Bandwidth
- Network Connectivity
- Video Quality
- Audio Streams
- Audio & Video Streams
Answer
We recommend a minimum dedicated 350kb/s down per downloaded stream, as well as 350kb/s up per uploaded stream to maintain a stable video connection.
For various resolutions and quality combinations, the bandwidth requirements are outlined below.
- Excellent - None or imperceptible impairments in media
- Acceptable - Some impairments in media, leading to some momentary disruptions
Audio + Video Streams
For the given qualities and resolutions, all the following conditions must met.
| Quality | Video Resolution @ FPS | Video kbps | Packet Loss |
| Excellent | 1280x720 @ 30 | > 1000 | < 0.5% |
| Excellent | 640x480 @ 30 | > 600 | < 0.5% |
| Excellent | 352x288 @ 30 | > 300 | < 0.5% |
| Excellent | 320x240 @ 30 | >300 | < 0.5% |
| Acceptable | 1280x720 @ 30 | > 350 | < 3% |
| Acceptable | 640x480 @ 30 | > 250 | < 3% |
| Acceptable | 352x288 @ 30 | > 150 | < 3% |
| Acceptable | 320x240 @ 30 | > 150 | < 3% |
The default publish settings for video are 640x480 pixels @ 30 fps in OpenTok.js and the OpenTok iOS SDK. The default is 352x288 @ 30 fps in the OpenTok Android SDK.
Audio-Only Streams
For the given qualities, the following conditions must met.
| Quality | Audio kbps | Packet Loss |
|
Excellent |
> 30 | < 0.5% |
| Acceptable | > 25 | < 5% |
Additional Information
Video quality dynamically adjusts based on the strength of a user's network connectivity. This is done by the Subscriber sending feedback packets to the publisher that say "My network quality is at 'x' level. Please adjust your published video bit-rate to accommodate my current bandwidth." The faster and more stable a Subscriber's broadband connection is, the better the video quality it will request.
This mechanism works well until a certain point. If a Subscriber's bandwidth drops below a certain threshold, or if a Publisher has very little bandwidth to upload video, behavior can be unpredictable. Video may be choppy, audio may have artifacts, and the connection could be dropped.