# Configuring Camera Streams

Navigation: Working with Nx Witness > Device Management (Cameras, Encoders and I/O Modules) > Setting Up Cameras and Devices > Working With Advanced Device Settings > # Configuring Camera Streams |

Nx Witness's architecture provides significant CPU and network bandwidth savings by acquiring multiple streams from a single camera: High Resolution (regular) and Low Resolution (approximately one tenth the bandwidth). The second stream is always decoded by the server and is the default stream for software motion detection. High resolution streams are displayed when network & CPU load are within normal range and under specific conditions (when an item is larger than 172 pixel in layout, when an item is pulled into fullscreen display). Low resolution streams are displayed when image quality is of limited importance (items smaller than 172 pixels, during fast forward or fast rewind playback) and when high resolution processing compromises display quality (frames are delayed or dropped during decoding, too many streams are open in a given layout, etc.).

The default quality of the each stream is set automatically, but can be overridden. It is possible to set stream parameters manually, for example, when you need to lower bandwidth and CPU usage in order to accommodate more than the recommended number of cameras in a live display. Note that using a manual stream setting will affect other image quality controls. You may also need to adjust frames per second, bitrate, resolution, and storage settings as a result. Please review these topics to understand how these settings are interrelated:

•Configuring Proprietary Device Parameters

•Configuring Device Using Web Page

•Forcing Motion Detection to a Specific Stream

•Disabling Recording of a Specific Stream

•Disabling a Secondary Stream

•Preventing Nx Witness from Changing Camera Streaming Settings

•Adjusting Average Bitrate on Device

IMPORTANT: Higher resolution of the second stream provides for a much better look and feel (especially on larger monitors), but can significantly increase CPU load on the server. It is not recommended to change these settings.

To adjust the quality of the second stream

1.Open the Camera Settings -> Advanced tab.

2.In the Settings pane, click the arrow to the left of the Video Streams Configuration category and choose Primary or Secondary.

3.Select the desired values for the following settings:

Codec – choose from the options available in the menu

Resolution – choose from the options available in the menu

Bitrate – for secondary streams (s ee also "Adjusting Average Bitrate on Device").

FPS – for secondary streams

4.Click Apply or OK when finished. To discard changes, click Cancel.

You can use the Restore to Defaults button to discard any manual adjustments to Nx Witness settings and return to native presets.

Note: Manual adjustments are ignored if Nx Witness is configured to prevent camera streaming settings from being changed. In addition, it is possible to disable the secondary stream entirely.