The Connection Properties dialog allows you to configure the video stream parameters to match your system capabilities with your performance needs.
Video Encoding
This section selects the video encoding algorithm and quality setting.
Usage: specify your general application area. This selection optimizes the available choices elsewhere in this dialog.
General Purpose Video: video content where smooth color reproduction is most important, such as movies, video games, and animations.
Computer and IT Applications: video content where text sharpness and clarity are important, such as computer graphical interfaces.
Encoder Mode: Choose the encoder mode from the row of eight buttons. Options will vary depending on the Usage selection. In general, modes towards the left of the button bar offer higher image quality but consume higher bandwidth, and might cause frame rate to drop depending on network speed and/or client performance. Modes towards the right consume lower bandwidth at the cost of reduced image quality. In network- or client-constrained situations, modes towards the right may achieve better frame rates.
The default video mode is always "Full Color 2", which is a high-quality mode and works well for most uses in LAN environments. If needed, experiment with modes further towards the right to find the right balance of image quality and frame rate.
Color Subsampling
Color subsampling reduces the color information in the encoded video stream.
Automatic: Recommended. The optimal color subsampling mode will be enabled based on the selections in the video encoding section.
4:4:4: Highest quality at significant bandwidth cost. Usually not necessary except for some situations in graphical user interfaces. Not supported for resolutions above 1920x1200, so for those resolutions color subsampling will automatically drop down to 4:2:2.
4:2:2: Good blend of image quality and bandwidth.
4:2:0: Maximum savings of network bandwidth and client load. Works fine for most general-purpose applications that don't emphasize high-resolution lines or text.
Current Status
Current status includes real-time video performance statistics. As you change settings in the dialog, you can immediately see the effects on performance.
Source: resolution and frame rate of the incoming video source.
Performance: frames per second (FPS) being rendered in the client, and the data rate of the incoming video stream. These values are where you will see the effects of your video settings.
Encryption: whether the video stream is encrypted or not. Encrypted streams usually have lower frame rates and lower bandwidth. Encryption is a global setting in security → KVM Security → "Apply Encryption Mode to KVM and Virtual Media".
