Matter Update Enhances Camera Streaming

A new incremental update to the Matter smart home standard has been released, delivering key refinements for security cameras and video doorbells. The Connectivity Standards Alliance announced Matter 1.5.1, a follow-up to the major 1.5 release from last November which first introduced support for these device categories. While this is a minor version bump, it includes several practical enhancements that improve functionality for consumers and manufacturers alike.

The most significant advancement is a more efficient camera streaming protocol. This update is designed to lower bandwidth consumption, a crucial improvement for households where multiple users or smart home systems might access the same live feed simultaneously. Matter 1.5.1 enables a single camera to broadcast several video streams at once, each with quality settings optimized for its specific purpose. For instance, a home security system recording footage could receive a high-resolution stream for detailed archival, while family members viewing on their phones would get a lower-resolution, data-friendly version tailored for mobile devices.

Beyond streaming efficiency, the update expands format support. Cameras can now utilize HEIC images, which provide superior quality at smaller file sizes compared to traditional JPEGs. The standard also now incorporates the HLS and DASH streaming formats, boosting compatibility with the technologies commonly used by contemporary cloud services and media platforms.

For hardware functionality, the specification brings welcome refinements. Pan-tilt-zoom cameras will benefit from improved positioning and movement controls. Video doorbells gain more auditory personality, with the ability to play custom chimes beyond the default sound when the button is pressed, allowing for seasonal or personalized alerts. Furthermore, these doorbells can now trigger smart home automations the moment a chime begins to play, enabling more responsive and integrated household routines.