Technical Guide: Recording Multiple Streams (Bandwidth & System Limits) guide illustration
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Technical Guide: Recording Multiple Streams (Bandwidth & System Limits)

Table of Contents

One of the most powerful features of Cam Software is its ability to record dozens of streams simultaneously. However, your hardware and internet connection have finite limits. Understanding these constraints is the key to a “set it and forget it” multi-stream archive.

1) Internet Speed: The Bitrate Math

Every stream you record consumes a slice of your download bandwidth. To calculate your limit, you need to know the average bitrate of the streams you capture.

  • Standard 1080p: ~3,000 to 6,000 kbps (3-6 Mbps)
  • High-Bitrate / VR: ~8,000 to 15,000 kbps (8-15 Mbps)

The Formula: (Average Bitrate * Number of Streams) * 1.2 (Buffer)

Example: If you want to record 10 standard 1080p streams at 4Mbps each, you need a constant, stable download speed of at least 48 Mbps (40Mbps + 20% overhead).

2) Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi: Stability is King

While modern Wi-Fi 6 is fast, it is prone to jitter and interference. For multi-stream recording, a Physical Ethernet Cable is mandatory. A single network “hiccup” on Wi-Fi can cause recorderd to lose synchronization across all active captures simultaneously.

3) CPU & GPU Scaling: Encoders

Each active stream requires processing power to “mux” or encode the incoming data.

  • 1080p to 720p: If your CPU/GPU usage is consistently above 80%, consider dropping the resolution of less critical streams to 720p. This significantly reduces the bitrate and processing load.
  • Hardware Encoders: Ensure you are using NVENC or QuickSync to offload the work from your CPU.

4) Disk Speed: The Write Bottleneck

Writing one stream to a disk is easy. Writing 20 streams at once requires a drive with good sequential write performance and low latency.

  • HDDs: Mechanical drives can struggle with the “head seek” time required to jump between 10+ different large video files being written at once.
  • SSDs: Virtually mandatory for high-volume multi-stream sessions. Use an External SSD if your internal drive is full.

5) The Stability Stress Test

To find your true limit without ruining an important session, follow this checklist:

  1. Start with 1 stream and monitor CPU/GPU load.
  2. Add 2 more streams and check for “Dropped Segments” in the Cam Software logs.
  3. Continue adding streams in increments of 2 until you see system lag or network spikes.
  4. Back off by 2—this is your reliable “Safe Zone.”

Summary

Don’t guess your limits. Calculate your bandwidth needs, use wired networking, and leverage hardware acceleration to scale your archive effectively.

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