What is SRT?
SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) is an open-source protocol that provides secure and reliable transmission of video, audio, and other media streams over unreliable networks, such as the Internet. It is designed to deliver high-quality and low-latency streaming even in challenging network conditions.
SRT Modes: Listener, Caller, and Rendezvous
SRT supports three modes of operation:
- Listener: In this mode, the receiver waits for an incoming connection from the sender. It is useful when you want to receive streams from multiple senders.
- Caller: In this mode, the sender actively initiates a connection with the receiver. It is suitable when you want to transmit streams to a specific receiver.
- Rendezvous: This mode combines the functionality of both listener and caller, allowing either end to initiate the connection. It is ideal for scenarios where both ends need to transmit and receive data simultaneously.
Benefits of using HEVC
HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding), also known as H.265, is a video compression standard that offers improved video quality and reduced file sizes compared to previous codecs like H.264. When using HEVC with SRT, you can benefit from:
- Enhanced Video Quality: HEVC delivers better video quality at the same bitrate, making it ideal for streaming high-resolution content.
- Reduced Bandwidth Consumption: HEVC's advanced compression techniques result in smaller file sizes, reducing bandwidth requirements and enabling efficient streaming over limited networks.
- Improved Network Efficiency: By reducing bandwidth consumption, HEVC helps optimize network resources and ensures smoother streaming experiences.
SRT Settings: Host, Local Port, Remote Port, and Encrypt
When configuring SRT settings, you will come across the following options:
- Host: The host setting specifies the IP address or hostname of the remote endpoint (receiver) to which you want to transmit the SRT stream. It identifies the target location for the data transmission.
- Local Port: The local port setting determines the port number on the sender's side that will be used for the SRT transmission. It serves as the sender's "listening" port to establish the connection.
- Remote Port: The remote port setting specifies the port number on the receiver's side to which the SRT stream should be sent. It represents the receiver's "listening" port.
- Encrypt: The encrypt setting enables or disables encryption for the SRT transmission. When encryption is enabled, the data is securely transmitted over the network, protecting it from unauthorized access. Encryption ensures the privacy and integrity of your media streams.
Custom Resolution, Bitrate, and Latency Settings
When configuring SRT settings, you may come across options for custom resolution, bitrate, and latency:
- Custom Resolution: This setting allows you to define a specific resolution for your video streams. It determines the dimensions of the video, such as width and height.
- Bitrate: Bitrate refers to the amount of data transmitted per second and is measured in bits per second (bps). It determines the quality and size of your video streams. Higher bitrates result in better quality but require more bandwidth.
- Latency: Latency refers to the delay between the time a frame is captured and when it is displayed. Lower latency is crucial for real-time applications like live streaming, as it reduces the time lag between the source and the viewer.
By adjusting these settings, you can tailor the SRT transmission to suit your specific requirements, such as optimizing video quality, managing bandwidth usage, and ensuring low latency for real-time streaming.
Remember to experiment and fine-tune these settings based on your network conditions and desired streaming outcomes.