Table of Contents
Automatic Configuration
TetherBoxes can automatically configure your camera stream settings for optimal performance - eliminating the need for manual configuration and saving significant setup time.
How It Works
When a camera is added or reconnects, TetherBox automatically:
- Sets NTP server - Points the camera's time server to the TetherBox for accurate timestamps
- Configures recording stream - Optimal resolution, bitrate, codec, and framerate for cloud recording
- Configures analytics stream - Lower resolution stream optimised for motion detection
- Enables motion detection - Activates the camera's built-in motion detection
Recommended Settings Applied
Recording Stream (Primary)
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Codec | H.264 |
| Resolution | Maximum 16:9 available |
| Framerate | 20 fps |
| Bitrate | Auto (based on resolution) |
| Quality | VBR (Variable Bit Rate) |
| Profile | High |
| GOP | 20 frames |
H.264 is the default for compatibility reasons. See H.264 vs H.265 if you want to use H.265 for recording.
Analytics Stream (Secondary)
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Codec | H.264 |
| Resolution | Maximum 16:9 available |
| Framerate | 6 fps |
| Bitrate | Auto (based on resolution) |
| Quality | VBR (Variable Bit Rate) |
| Profile | Baseline |
| GOP | 6 frames |
For motion detection, 720p at 4 fps is sufficient and 6 fps is optimal. Higher resolutions or framerates provide no analytical benefit while adding significant CPU load to the TetherBox - potentially limiting the number of cameras it can process simultaneously.
Automatic Bitrate Selection
Bitrate is automatically selected based on resolution:
| Resolution | Bitrate |
|---|---|
| D1 (704x480) or less | 768 kbps |
| 720p (1280x720) | 1024 kbps |
| 1080p (1920x1080) | 2048 kbps |
| 5MP (2592x1728) | 3072 kbps |
| 4K (3840x2160) and above | 4096 kbps |
These bitrates balance recording quality against storage capacity. Video surveillance footage is typically static, with only small areas of motion (a person walking, a vehicle passing). With Variable Bit Rate (VBR) enabled, actual average bitrates are often much lower than peak settings - the encoder uses fewer bits for static backgrounds and more for moving subjects.
You may want higher bitrates for:
- High-motion scenes - Busy retail floors, manufacturing lines, or areas with constant movement across the frame
- Critical evidence cameras - Entrances, cash registers, or anywhere fine detail matters more than retention
Tip: To adjust bitrates, use Tunnelling to access the camera's web interface remotely and modify stream settings. Ensure Disable Defaults is enabled (see below) to prevent automatic configuration from overwriting your changes.
Supported Cameras
Automatic configuration requires camera API access:
- Native APIs - Hikvision, Dahua, Lilin, Homaxi and many others
- ONVIF - Any camera with ONVIF enabled (see ONVIF)
Tip: For cameras without native API support, enable ONVIF in the camera's settings to use automatic configuration.
Disabling Automatic Configuration
If you prefer manual control over camera settings:
When disabled, TetherBox will not modify camera settings automatically. You'll need to configure streams manually following the configuring.
Configuration Suggestions
When automatic configuration isn't available or optimal, TetherBox displays configuration suggestions:
- Camera index - Warning icon indicates configuration issues
- Camera show page - Badge explains what needs adjustment
Each suggestion includes:
- What setting needs changing
- Why it matters (e.g., "to reduce TetherBox CPU load")
H.264 vs H.265
TetherBox supports both H.264 and H.265, but defaults to H.264 for maximum compatibility.
Why H.264 is the Default
Many cameras produce H.265 streams that don't fully comply with the standard, causing playback failures even on devices with hardware H.265 support. Additionally, H.265 playback requires specific hardware:
- Safari (iOS/macOS) - Native support
- Chrome/Edge/Firefox - Requires hardware decoding (Intel HD4400+, NVIDIA GT635+, AMD RX460+, Apple M1+)
- Android - Many devices lack H.265 hardware decoding entirely
Warning: Even compatible devices may struggle with high-resolution H.265 using High profile. If playback stutters or fails, try Main profile or switch to H.264.
Using H.265 for Recording
H.265 offers approximately 50% bandwidth savings compared to H.264 at equivalent quality. If you want to use it:
- Enable Disable Defaults on the camera (see above) to prevent the TetherBox resetting your changes
- Enable H.265 on the camera via Tunnelling
- Test playback on all devices that will access recordings before rolling out to other cameras
Analytics Stream
H.264 with Baseline profile is strongly recommended for the analytics stream. TetherBox decodes this stream locally for motion detection, and H.265 requires significantly more CPU - limiting the number of cameras that can be processed simultaneously.
Troubleshooting
Configuration not applied:
- Verify camera has API access (ONVIF enabled or native API supported)
- Check camera credentials are correct
- Ensure camera firmware is up to date
Settings reverting:
- Some cameras reset settings after reboot - this is a camera firmware issue
- Check if camera has "restore defaults on reboot" enabled
- Contact camera manufacturer for firmware update
Motion detection not working:
- Some cameras don't support remote motion detection configuration
- Configure motion detection manually in camera's web interface