What does Bitrate mean?
Bitrate is the amount of encoded media data used per unit of time, often expressed in megabits per second for video. It describes data demand, not resolution by itself. Different encodes of the same-sized picture can use different bitrates.
Why it matters
A player needs delivery that keeps up with the selected version over time, with room for ordinary variation. Variable-bitrate media can demand more data in complex scenes. Audio and protocol traffic add to the connection's total use. Do not infer an exact bitrate from an HD, 4K or 8K label alone.
A practical example
A steady 8 Mbps media stream uses about 3.6 decimal GB in an hour before additional overhead. That calculation is an example, not a rate assigned to every resolution.
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Related terminology: Billing period, Black level.
For practical setup and troubleshooting, browse the journal or support guides.
