videobandwidth

Video bandwidth is the data rate required to transmit or store a digital video signal. It is usually expressed in bits per second (bps) and, for practical use, in kilobits per second, megabits per second, or gigabits per second. The term can refer to the theoretical capacity of a communication channel as well as the actual throughput achieved by a system that sends or stores video.

Several factors determine the needed bandwidth: resolution (such as 480p, 720p, 1080p, 4K), frame rate (frames per second), color depth and chroma subsampling (for example 4:2:0 versus 4:4:4), and the use of compression. Uncompressed or lightly compressed video requires very high data rates, while modern codecs such as HEVC (H.265) and AV1 substantially reduce the bandwidth required for similar visual quality.

In streaming and broadcasting, bandwidth is managed through compression and adaptive bitrate streaming, which adjusts the bitrate in response to network conditions. Typical ranges depend on resolution and codec: SD streams may use less than a few Mbps, 720p a few Mbps, 1080p several Mbps, and 4K often tens of Mbps, with exact values varying by content complexity and the efficiency of the codec.

Beyond viewing, video bandwidth informs recording and storage design. Raw video at high resolution and frame rates demands substantial throughput for capture and storage, whereas compressed formats enable practical bandwidth levels for archiving and transmission. Understanding video bandwidth supports capacity planning, quality of service decisions, and codec selection.