Tech Tools / Video Bandwidth
Video Bandwidth
Estimate Mbps per stream for uncompressed SDI/2110, NDI Full, NDI|HX, and H.264/H.265/SRT, then see how many streams fit on 1G, 10G, or 25G with utilisation.
Use at your own risk. All bitrates are estimates for planning. NDI, SRT, and encoder outputs vary with content, preset, and manufacturer. Uncompressed figures assume a simple bits-per-pixel model. Leave headroom for audio, discovery, and bursts. Verify on your switch and encoder.
- Per stream
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- Total (w/ overhead)
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- Link utilisation
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- Headroom
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- Max streams on link
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Link fill
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Sources
- Uncompressed estimate: Mbps ≈ width × height × fps × bits_per_pixel ÷ 1e6 (default 20 for 10-bit 4:2:2-class packing).
- NDI Full Bandwidth and NDI|HX figures are approximate planning values; real bitrate is content- and preset-dependent.
- H.264/H.265/SRT values scale from a ~10 Mbps (H.264) / ~6 Mbps (H.265) 1080p30 baseline — treat as estimates.
- Link capacities: 1 / 10 / 25 GbE nominal. Usable throughput is lower — keep headroom.
What this bandwidth calculator does
It estimates per-stream and aggregate bitrate for common live video transports, then compares that load to 1G/10G/25G links.
Worked example
Four NDI Full 1080p60 streams on 1 GbE with 10% overhead will often approach or exceed a single 1G link — plan 10G or reduce quality/count.
FAQ
Are NDI bitrates guaranteed?
No. They vary with content and preset. Use this as a planning estimate and measure on your network.
Should I fill the whole link?
No. Leave headroom for audio, control, discovery, and bursts. Many engineers keep peak utilisation under ~70–85%.
What bits-per-pixel should I use for SDI?
20 is a common 10-bit 4:2:2-class estimate. Edit the field to match your packing format.
Planning show network?
Kynetic designs AV networks for corporate and medical productions.