Resolution

What is Video Resolution?

Resolution refers to the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. It is usually quoted as width × height. In video calling, higher resolution means a sharper, clearer image, allowing you to see fine details like text on a shared screen or facial expressions.

Common Video Calling Resolutions

• 360p (640×360): Standard Definition (SD). Good for low bandwidth or mobile data. Faces are recognizable, but text is blurry.
• 720p (1280×720): High Definition (HD). The industry standard for professional video calls. Good balance of quality and bandwidth.
• 1080p (1920×1080): Full HD. Used for high-end conference room systems or webinar presentations. Requires significant bandwidth and CPU power.
• 4K (3840×2160): Ultra HD. Rarely used in real-time video calls due to the immense processing and network requirements, though supported by some specialized hardware.

Resolution vs. Bitrate

Resolution sets the potential for detail (the canvas size), but Bitrate determines the actual quality (how much paint is used). A 1080p stream with a very low bitrate will look blocky and pixelated, often worse than a sharp 720p stream with a healthy bitrate.

Adaptive Resolution

Modern WebRTC applications use Simulcast or SVC to send multiple resolutions at once. This ensures that a user on a slow connection receives a 360p stream (smooth but less detailed), while a user on high-speed fiber receives the full 1080p stream.