What bitrate is used for each of the youtube video qualities (360p - 1080p), in regards to flowplayer?

user2650277 picture user2650277 · Jun 13, 2014 · Viewed 140k times · Source

When using flowplayer with the bandwidth check plugin , you need to state the bitrates for the different video quality.

Here what it looks like:

// the bitrates, video width and file names for this clip
      bitrates: [
        { url: "bbb-800.mp4", width: 480, bitrate: 800 },
        { url: "bbb-1200.mp4", width: 720, bitrate: 1200 },
        { url: "bbb-1600.mp4", width: 1080, bitrate: 1600 }
      ],

Which bitrate does a specific quality represent on youtube?

e.g what bitrate does a youtube video playing in 360p quality use?

Answer

Looking at this official google link: Youtube Live encoder settings, bitrates and resolutions they have this table:

                   240p       360p        480p        720p        1080p
Resolution      426 x 240   640 x 360   854x480     1280x720    1920x1080
Video Bitrates                   
Maximum         700 Kbps    1000 Kbps   2000 Kbps   4000 Kbps   6000 Kbps
Recommended     400 Kbps    750 Kbps    1000 Kbps   2500 Kbps   4500 Kbps
Minimum         300 Kbps    400 Kbps    500 Kbps    1500 Kbps   3000 Kbps

It would appear as though this is the case, although the numbers dont sync up to the google table above:

// the bitrates, video width and file names for this clip
      bitrates: [
        { url: "bbb-800.mp4", width: 480, bitrate: 800 }, //360p video
        { url: "bbb-1200.mp4", width: 720, bitrate: 1200 }, //480p video
        { url: "bbb-1600.mp4", width: 1080, bitrate: 1600 } //720p video
      ],