An apparatus, a method, and a software product to control a plurality of
surveillance video camera/encoder combinations. The method includes
receiving a plurality of encoded video streams from a respective
surveillance camera/encoder combination, and accepting a measure of the
level of activity for each encoded video stream. Each measure is obtained
from the output of the camera of the corresponding camera/encoder
combination. The method further includes assigning output bit rates for
each encoded stream according to the accepted level of activity such that
a maximum overall bit rate is not exceeded. One version is for
controlling camera/encoder combinations that accept remote bit rate
control, and a second is for controlling camera/encoder combinations that
send at a pre-set bit rate. One version includes a network connection
between the camera/encoder combinations, and the method or apparatus for
central control.