{
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "Empirical camera bitrate lookup table for network planning and storage estimation. Replaces uncompressed pixel formula which overestimated by 1.9–2.5x.",
  "last_updated": "2026-03-15",
  "confidence": "medium_high",
  "sources": [
    "Axis Technical Guide to Network Video (2024)",
    "Hikvision/Dahua/Hanwha camera datasheets",
    "Avigilon/Milestone/Genetec planning guides",
    "IPVM bitrate testing reports",
    "P1 research: camera-bitrate-research.json"
  ],
  "notes": [
    "All bitrate values are for a single camera stream at stated conditions.",
    "Add NETWORK_HEADROOM_FACTOR (1.20) to totals for deployment planning.",
    "vp9 and av1 codecs are derived from h265 via CODEC_FALLBACK_FROM, not measured directly.",
    "h264plus and h265plus are proprietary smart codecs (Hikvision H.264+/H.265+, Dahua Smart H.264/265).",
    "fps_scaling_multipliers apply when fps != 30; I-frame overhead is FPS-invariant."
  ],
  "network_headroom_factor": 1.20,
  "vbr_peak_ratio": 2.00,
  "vbr_avg_ratio": 0.70,
  "codec_fallback": {
    "vp9": { "base_codec": "h265", "scale": 1.05, "notes": "vp9 ≈ h265, slightly less efficient; no direct measurement" },
    "av1": { "base_codec": "h265", "scale": 0.70, "notes": "av1 ~30% better than h265 (AV1 claims 30–50% over h265)" }
  },
  "fps_scaling_multipliers": {
    "5":  0.25,
    "10": 0.40,
    "15": 0.57,
    "20": 0.70,
    "25": 0.83,
    "30": 1.00
  },
  "resolution_buckets": [
    { "label": "480p",  "max_pixels": 700000,   "example": "854×480" },
    { "label": "720p",  "max_pixels": 1500000,  "example": "1280×720" },
    { "label": "1080p", "max_pixels": 3000000,  "example": "1920×1080" },
    { "label": "4K",    "max_pixels": null,      "example": "3840×2160" }
  ],
  "bitrate_table": [
    { "resolution": "480p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.50, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.80, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 1.00 },
    { "resolution": "480p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.80, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 1.20, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 1.50 },
    { "resolution": "480p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 1.20, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 1.80, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 2.50 },
    { "resolution": "480p",  "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.25, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.40, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 0.55 },
    { "resolution": "480p",  "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.40, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.60, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 0.80 },
    { "resolution": "480p",  "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.60, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.90, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 1.30 },
    { "resolution": "480p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.30, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.60, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 1.20 },
    { "resolution": "480p",  "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.20, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.45, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 0.90 },

    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 1.00, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 1.50, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 2.00 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 1.50, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 2.50, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 3.50 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 2.50, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 4.00, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 6.00 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.50, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.80, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 1.10 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.80, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 1.30, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 1.80 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 1.30, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 2.00, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 3.00 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.50, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 1.10, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 2.50 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 1.00, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 2.00, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 4.00 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 2.00, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 3.50, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 7.00 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.25, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.60, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 1.30 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.50, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 1.00, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 2.00 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.80, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 1.60, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 3.50 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h264plus", "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.30, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.80, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 2.00 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h265plus", "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.15, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.40, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 1.00 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 15, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.80, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 1.40, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 2.00 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h265",     "fps": 15, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.40, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.70, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 1.00 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps": 10, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.60, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 1.00, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 1.50 },
    { "resolution": "720p",  "codec": "h264",     "fps":  5, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.40, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 0.70, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 1.00 },

    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  2.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  3.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  4.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  3.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  5.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  8.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  5.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  8.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 12.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  1.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  1.5, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  2.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  1.5, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  2.5, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  4.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  2.5, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  4.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  6.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  0.8, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  2.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  5.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  2.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  4.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  9.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  4.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  7.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 15.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  0.4, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  1.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  2.5 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  0.8, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  2.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  4.5 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  1.5, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  3.2, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  7.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264plus", "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  0.5, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  1.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  2.5 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264plus", "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  0.8, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  1.8, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  4.5 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264plus", "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  1.5, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  3.5, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  8.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h265plus", "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  0.2, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  0.5, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  1.2 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h265plus", "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  0.4, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  0.9, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  2.5 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h265plus", "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  0.8, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  1.8, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  4.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps": 25, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  2.5, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  4.2, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  6.5 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps": 20, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  2.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  3.5, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  5.5 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps": 15, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  1.8, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  2.8, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  4.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps": 15, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  1.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  2.2, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  5.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h265",     "fps": 15, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  0.9, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  1.4, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  2.2 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps": 10, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  1.2, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  2.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  3.0 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h264",     "fps":  5, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  0.7, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  1.2, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  1.8 },
    { "resolution": "1080p", "codec": "h265",     "fps":  5, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 0.35, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  0.6, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  0.9 },

    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  8.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 12.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 16.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 12.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 20.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 32.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 20.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 30.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 50.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  4.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  6.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  8.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  6.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 10.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 16.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 10.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 16.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 25.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  4.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  9.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 20.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  8.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 16.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 35.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h264",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps": 15.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 25.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 60.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "low",    "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  2.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  4.5, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 10.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  4.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  8.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 18.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h265",     "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "high",   "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  7.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps": 13.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 28.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h264plus", "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  3.0, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  7.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps": 18.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h265plus", "fps": 30, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "vbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  1.5, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  3.5, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  9.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h265",     "fps": 15, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  3.5, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  5.5, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  9.0 },
    { "resolution": "4K",    "codec": "h265",     "fps": 10, "scene_complexity": "medium", "encoding_mode": "cbr", "bitrate_min_mbps":  2.5, "bitrate_avg_mbps":  4.0, "bitrate_peak_mbps":  7.0 }
  ]
}