# Video software encoding Quality Limitation vs hardware encoding

**URL:** <https://mediasoup.discourse.group/t/video-software-encoding-quality-limitation-vs-hardware-encoding/6086>\
**Category:** mediasoup libraries\
**Created:** [June 6, 2024, 5:09pm UTC](https://mediasoup.discourse.group/t/video-software-encoding-quality-limitation-vs-hardware-encoding/6086 "2024-06-06T17:09:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JeffMan](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/mediasoup.discourse.group/jeffman/32/1369_2.png) [@JeffMan](https://mediasoup.discourse.group/u/JeffMan)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 5:09pm UTC](https://mediasoup.discourse.group/t/video-software-encoding-quality-limitation-vs-hardware-encoding/6086/1 "2024-06-06T17:09:43Z")

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Hello, when I use software encoding VP8/VP9 vs Hardware H264, I’m experiencing qualityLimitationReason: Bandwidth limitation.

Both streams have the same everything: resolution, framerate, ProducerOptions, etc. The only difference is one is H264 and the other VP8.  
H264 works perfectly, VP8 after a minute or so (seems random) the stream quality is severely reduced with the qualityLimitationReason: “Bandwidth”.

Both are running on the same system (7950x | 128gb ram | 6900xt). I’ve tried on both Electron and Edge browser.

Could this be an issue with the server or client? What could it be?

Thanks for your time