1. Zoom Support
  2. Audio and Video
  3. Video
  4. Video Settings

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Using Group HD video

Last Updated:

Note: As our world comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19 and stays connected through Zoom globally, we are working to quickly scale our bandwidth during this unprecedented demand.

For the time being, standard video, not HD video, will be activated when 3 or more participants join a group meeting. HD video (720p) will be activated for 2 participants or when a Zoom Room or Conference Room Connector joins a group meeting. HD video (1080p) will only be activated for selective use cases such as large-format broadcast events. 

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Group HD video will activate 720p video quality for the active speaker video layout in a group meeting.

Full high-definition 1080p video is limited to Business and Enterprise plans.

Accounts that meet all other Group HD video prerequisites can also request 720p or 1080p feeds for webinar attendees. This feature needs to be enabled by Zoom Support but currently will only be activated for selective use cases such as large-format broadcast events. After contacting support, please allow up to 3 business days for the feature to be enabled. Learn how to contact Zoom Support.

H.323/SIP devices can send and receive video up to 1080p. However, for 1080p or higher, it must be enabled by Zoom Support, as well enabled on the provisioned device, or have the device join using a specific dialing string.

Additionally, Group HD video 720p for the Pro account must be enabled by Zoom Support.

Notes:

  • Screen sharing is not affected by Group HD. Screen sharing will display content at the native resolution of the desktop, application, or portion of the screen being shared.
  • When using the virtual background feature without a green screen, your video will be capped at 720p, potentially at 360p, for some lower-end Windows computers. Currently, only some macOS devices with specific hardware can send outgoing video at 1080p. 

This article covers:

Prerequisites for Group HD video

Standard HD (720p)

  • Pro, Business, Education, or Enterprise account
  • Setting must be enabled by Zoom Support for 720p for the Pro account
  • Full-screen meeting window on Zoom desktop client
  • Zoom mobile app
    • Android: version 5.8.6 or higher
    • iOS: version 5.8.6 or higher

Full HD (1080p)

  • Business, Education, or Enterprise account
  • Setting must be enabled by Zoom Support
  • i7 Quad Core (physical core) CPU or higher
  • Zoom desktop client
    • Windows: version 4.3.46185.0120 or later
    • macOS: version 4.3.53325.0120 or later

How to enable or disable Group HD video

Note: The Group HD video setting will use a higher amount of CPU and bandwidth (~2Mbps up/down). If you are experiencing network or CPU performance issues, you may want to disable Group HD video.

Account

To enable or disable Group HD video for all users in the account:

  1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as an admin with the privilege to edit account settings.
  2. In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
  3. Click the Meeting tab.
  4. Under In Meeting (Advanced), click the Group HD video toggle to enable or disable it.
  5. If a verification dialog displays, click Enable or Disable to verify the change.
  6. (Optional) If you want to make this setting mandatory for all users in your account, click the lock icon , and then click Lock to confirm the setting.
  7. Select Standard HD (720p) or Full HD (1080p), if applicable for your account.
  8. Click Save.

Group

To enable or disable Group HD video for a group of users:

  1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as an admin with the privilege to edit groups.
  2. In the navigation menu, click User Management then Groups.
  3. Click the applicable group name from the list.
  4. Click the Meeting tab.
  5. Under In Meeting (Advanced), click the Group HD video toggle to enable or disable it.
  6. If a verification dialog displays, click Enable or Disable to verify the change.
    Note: If the option is grayed out, it has been locked at the account level and needs to be changed at that level.
  7. (Optional) If you want to make this setting mandatory for all users in the group, click the lock icon , and then click Lock to confirm the setting.
  8. Select Standard HD (720p) or Full HD (1080p), if applicable for your account.
  9. Click Save.

User

To enable or disable Group HD video for your own use:

  1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
  2. In the navigation panel, click Settings.
  3. Click the Meeting tab.
  4. Under In Meeting (Advanced), click the Group HD video toggle to enable or disable it.
  5. If a verification dialog displays, click Enable or Disable to verify the change.
    Note: If the option is grayed out, it has been locked at either the group or account level. You need to contact your Zoom admin.
  6. Select Standard HD (720p) or Full HD (1080p), if applicable for your account.
  7. Click Save.

Bandwidth requirements for Group HD video

Standard HD (720p)

  • 1-on-1 video calls: 1.2Mbps (up/down)
  • Group video calls: 2.6Mbps / 1.8Mbps (up/down)

Full HD (1080p)

  • 1:1 video calls:
    • Receiving 1080p HD video requires a minimum of 3.0Mbps.
    • Sending 1080p video requires a minimum of 3.8Mbps.
  • Group video calls:
    • Receiving 1080p HD video requires a minimum of 3.0Mbps.
    • Sending 1080p video requires a minimum of 3.8Mbps.

How to send and receive Group HD with the Zoom client

Below are guidelines on how to achieve HD when in a meeting or webinar. This is not an exhaustive list, as there are other potential limitations, such as hardware limitations. 

Send HD

Receive HD

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