At Antrica, we specialise in video encoding and decoding solutions for demanding applications across broadcast, security, military, and industrial markets. One of the most common challenges we address for our customers is latency, the delay between capturing a video and displaying it on a screen.

For real-time monitoring, live broadcasting, drone control, or remote operation, ultra-low latency is critical. In this blog, we’ll break down what causes latency and how you can optimise your settings, stream types, and equipment for faster, smoother video transmission.

What Causes Latency in Video Streaming?

Latency is introduced at various stages in a video stream pipeline:

Encoding & Decoding Delay

This is the time it takes to compress and decompress video. If encoding is too complex or software-based, it slows things down. That’s why we build hardware-based encoding into many of our products.

Network Delay

Video travels over IP networks, which may involve routing, jitter, or congestion, especially over public or wireless networks. Efficient network protocols and proper infrastructure help mitigate this.

Buffering & Playback

Streaming players often buffer video to avoid stuttering. However, this introduces delay. With the right protocol and settings, buffering can be minimised or eliminated altogether.

Our Tips for Reducing Latency

We’ve worked with customers in live event broadcasting, defence, and high-security environments. Here are the key ways we recommend reducing latency:

1. Choose the Right Codec & Hardware

While H.264 is the standard, using hardware-accelerated encoding and decoding over H.265 or H.264 can make a dramatic difference in performance. Our encoders use dedicated hardware to process video in real time, significantly faster than software solutions.

2. Optimise Encoder Settings

Our devices offer adjustable parameters that impact latency:

• • Bitrate – Use Variable Bitrate (VBR) for dynamic adaptation.

• • GOP Structure – Reduce Group of Pictures (GOP) length to improve responsiveness.

• • Preset – Select faster encoding presets (e.g. “ultrafast”) for minimal delay.

• • Resolution & Frame Rate – Lowering these reduces processing time, though a balance with image quality is necessary.

3. Use Low-Latency Streaming Protocols

We support a range of stream types designed for real-time transmission, including:

• • SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) – Resilient to packet loss and optimised for low-latency over unstable networks.

• • RTP/UDP – Lightweight and fast, best for private networks.

• • RTSP – Common in security systems, with support for real-time viewing.

For true ultra-low latency, our RAPID264 streaming protocol (used in the ANT-7000) delivers sub-30ms glass-to-glass latency—ideal for remote control and broadcast.

4. Optimise Network Conditions

A stable, low-jitter network is crucial. We recommend:

• • Wired connections over Wi-Fi whenever possible

• • VLANs or QoS rules prioritising video traffic

• • Testing for packet loss, jitter, and delay regularly

Antrica Products Designed for Low Latency

We’ve developed specific products to meet the growing demand for ultra-low latency performance:

ANT-7000 Encoder & Decoder Pair

This is our flagship low-latency solution, using RAPID264 technology for real-time, full HD (1080P60) streaming with ~30ms latency. It’s widely used for remote KVM, live events, and broadcast-to-screen workflows. USB passthrough makes it perfect for interactive control setups.

ANT-6000 Series

This robust, professional-grade encoder supports HD-SDI and HDMI inputs and streams over IP with latency as low as 60ms. It’s ideal for security and surveillance, featuring two-way audio, RS232, and PoE. It also supports embedded audio, essential for broadcast environments.

Low latency is not just a luxury, it’s a requirement for many modern applications. By choosing the right hardware, optimising your encoding settings, and using latency-friendly protocols, you can achieve the responsiveness your application demands.

We’ve built our product range with reliability, performance, and ultra-low latency in mind. Whether you’re streaming over a secure network or managing a remote system in real time, we’ve got the tools to make it seamless.

Need help choosing the right encoder for your low-latency application?
Get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to advise!