NVS Series Encode Settings Guide
Nov 03 2020
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General Streaming Information
NVS Series
Encode Settings Guide
Covers NVS-25, NVS-30, NVS-31, and NVS-40
Which settings are best for your NVS series encoder? There is no combination of custom settings that is best for every user and application, but the factory default settings are a good starting point.
Note that settings vary depending on your CDN and network connection, so you will need to run multiple tests for best results.
If you are streaming to YouTube Live, please also read this guide on how the latency setting affects streaming quality.
Internet Protocols can get complicated quickly, so it helps to understand the basics and how it relates to your network connection and encoder. Please take a look at our Streaming Terminology Guide.
Application Layer Examples: RTSP, RTMP, HTTP, etc.
Transport Layer Examples: TCP, UDP, HLS, etc.
| |
Sample Application |
Latency |
| RTSP |
LAN Point to Point |
Low |
| RTMP |
Push to CDN |
Lower |
| HLS |
Web Player |
Moderate to High |
NVS-25
The NVS-25 is our most popular encoder, and it is relatively simple to configure. Please note that these settings also apply to the discontinued NVS-20. To get the best performance out of the NVS-25, we recommend the following:
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Scale Down: No
- While the NVS-25 can capably scale incoming video signals, it's often better to feed it the native resolution you plan to stream and record at, or scale the output from a switcher or converter.
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H.264 Encode: Varies
- Use Main 3.1 for 720P sources
- Use High 4.0 for 1080i or 1080P sources
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GOP Structure: IPPP
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The NVS-25 only supports IPPP with RTMP streaming.
- This relates to how the frames are structured. More on this subject is available here.
- If using RTSP or HLS, you can also use IBBP.
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GOP Size: 60
- If you only record, you can also try 30.
-
Video Bit-Rate (Kbps): Varies
- This value depends on your upload speed. Go to speedtest.net, run the test, and divide your upload speed by 2.5. Choose the closest bit-rate setting on the NVS-25.
- Example: If you have 10 Mbps upload, set the NVS-25 to 4000 Kbps.
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Video Rate Mode: CBR
- This uses more average bandwidth, but there are less fluctuations in bit-rate, so the encode quality is more consistent.
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Audio Stereo: Mono
- If you are streaming content with a lot of music, consider stereo, but mono is fine for most applications.
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Audio Bit-Rate (Kbps): 128
- If you stream content with a lot of music, consider a higher bit-rate, but also make sure your upload speed will support the increase in bandwidth.
The NVS-30 was introduced as an alternative to the NVS-25, supporting a higher max bit-rate, and some additional features for users who do not require a SDI input. It supports saving user presets of different setting configurations, allowing you to quickly set it up for a variety of applications and content.
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Use Input Resolution: Yes
- While the NVS-30 can capably scale incoming video signals, it's often better to feed it the native resolution you plan to stream and record at, or scale the output from a switcher or converter.
Note: In Stream-and-record operating mode, if the current record encoding resolution exceeds a width of 1280 and/or height of 720, and you want to stream at a resolution greater than 1280×720, the stream and record settings must use the same encoding settings. In this case, you must select the Use Stream Settings for recording option.
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Frame Rate: Varies
- Use Half for 60 FPS sources (720P 60, 1080P 60)
- Use Full for 30 FPS sources (1080i 60, 1080P 30)
Note: The NVS-30 does not support up-scaling the resolution or frame rate of the input source. If Full is selected from the Frame rate list, the frame rate will automatically be set to Half of the input source’s frame rate after clicking Apply.
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Target Video Data Rate (Average): Varies
- This value depends on your upload speed. Go to speedtest.net, run the test, and divide your upload speed by 2.5. Enter that value on the NVS-30.
- Example: If you have 10 Mbps upload, set the NVS-30 to 4000 Kbps.
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Please note the following bit-rate limitations:
- Stream Only: 20 Mbps max
- Record Only: 30 Mbps max
- Stream & Record: 10 Mbps max streaming, 30 Mbps max total
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GOP Size: 60
- If you only record, you can also try 30
Advanced Settings
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Profile: Varies
- Use Main for 720P sources
- Use High for 1080i or 1080P sources
NVS-31
The NVS-31 is built into our HS-1300, HS-1600T, and HS-3200 mobile studios. It has fewer settings for a more streamlined configuration, as well as presets for different applications.It also features a Sub Encoder, which allows you to have separate Streaming and Recording settings, but note that the Sub Encoder has more limitations than the Main Encoder.
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Resolution: Same as Input
- While the NVS-31 can capably scale incoming video signals, it's often better to feed it the native resolution you plan to stream and record at, or scale the output from a switcher or converter.
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Frame Rate: 30.00
- We generally recommend streaming at 30 FPS, but if you are recording as well, or are streaming sports content, you may want to choose 60 FPS, permitting your source video is capable of that frame rate.
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Profile: Varies
- Use Main for 720P sources
- Use High for 1080i or 1080P sources
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Video Bit-Rate (Kbps): Varies
- This value depends on your upload speed. Go to speedtest.net, run the test, and divide your upload speed by 2.5. Choose the closest bit-rate setting on the NVS-31.
-
Example: If you have 10 Mbps upload, set the NVS-31 to 4000 Kbps.
-
Please note the following bit-rate limitations:
- Stream Only: 10 Mbps max
- Record Only: 16 Mbps max
- Stream & Record: 10 Mbps max combined
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Audio Bit-Rate (Kbps): 128
- If you stream content with a lot of music, consider a higher bit-rate, but also make sure your upload speed will support the increase in bandwidth.
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GOP: 60
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If you only record, you can also try 30.
The NVS-40 is our most powerful encoder. It can handle multiple streams and records, and the quality is excellent. That said, the settings can get more complex than our other encoders.
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Resolution: Same as Input
- While the NVS-31 can capably scale incoming video signals, it's often better to feed it the native resolution you plan to stream and record at, or scale the output from a switcher or converter.
-
Frame Rate: 30.00
- We generally recommend streaming at 30 FPS, but if you are recording as well, or are streaming sports content, you may want to choose 60 FPS, permitting your source video is capable of that frame rate.
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Profile: Varies
- Use Main for 720P sources
- Use High for 1080i or 1080P sources
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Level: Varies
- Use 32 for 720P sources
- Use 41 for 1080i or 1080P sources
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GOP: 60
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If you only record, you can also try 30.
-
Video Bit-Rate (Kbps): Varies
- This value depends on your upload speed. Go to speedtest.net, run the test, and divide your upload speed by 2.5. Choose the closest bit-rate setting on the NVS-40.
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Example: If you have 10 Mbps upload, set the NVS-40 to 4 Mbps.
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Please note the following limitations:
- Max Combined Bit-Rate: 80 Mbps max
- Max Combined Frame Rate: 300 FPS max
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Audio Bit-Rate (Kbps): 128
- If you stream content with a lot of music, consider a higher bit-rate, but also make sure your upload speed will support the increase in bandwidth.
