The Connectivity Standards Alliance has released Matter 1.5.1, a minor update to the Matter specification that focuses on refining newly introduced features, particularly those related to cameras and video doorbells.
Following the introduction of camera support in Matter 1.5, this latest update builds on that foundation with a series of targeted improvements. This is designed to improve streaming efficiency, expand media format support, and provide greater flexibility to device manufacturers, while strengthening the behavior of related device classes such as chimes and intercoms.
MULTI-STREAM SUPPORT IMPROVES PERFORMANCE
One of the most notable additions in Matter 1.5.1 is support for multi-stream video and audio. Previously, when multiple clients needed access to a camera feed, separate streams were often initiated for each device or service. With multi-streaming support, a single camera can now deliver multiple enhanced streams simultaneously during the same session. This allows different use cases to be handled efficiently, such as:
- high resolution streaming for recording or storage
- low resolution streaming for mobile viewing
- streams designed for analytics or AI-based processing
- simultaneous feed from multiple lens cameras
By combining these into one structured session, the update reduces bandwidth overhead, simplifies integration, and should improve reliability when multiple viewers or services access the same device.
WIDE SUPPORT FOR THE LATEST FORMATS
The update also expands support for new media formats commonly used in camera systems. Snapshots can now be delivered using the HEIC codec, which offers improved image quality at smaller file sizes compared to JPEG. This has implications for both bandwidth usage and storage efficiency. In the video, Matter 1.5.1 adds support for loading HLS and DASH streams using the CMAF Interface-2 profile. These formats are widely used across modern cloud and media platforms, and their inclusion should improve compatibility with recording and playback workflows.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CAMERA BEHAVIOR
A number of changes in camera performance address output and reliability. Updates to pan-tilt-zoom behavior provide more flexibility in how cameras handle orientation, including situations where the default ‘home’ position sits at the edge of the device’s rotation range. There are also fixes for recording configuration validation, aimed at preventing invalid setups and improving compatibility across different platforms and operating systems.
DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICINES AND RELATED DEVICES IN HOSPITALS
Matter 1.5.1 also includes updates to device types commonly associated with cameras. Door bells get a general durability upgrade, while chime devices get more functionality. Controllers can now request specific chime sounds, rather than just relying on the default tone. This opens the door to more advanced use cases, including:
- different sounds of different doorbells
- seasonal chimes or context
- auto activated chime playback
The intercom device type has also been updated, with clearer signaling requirements and support for integrated chimes, helping to ensure more consistent behavior across hardware.
CONTINUED EDITING OF THE STORY
Like most point releases, Matter 1.5.1 includes a list of minor fixes, clarifications, and description improvements. Most of these are related to the camera features introduced in version 1.5. Although incremental, these changes are part of a broader effort to improve interoperability and reliability across the Matter ecosystem, especially as more classes of devices are brought into scope.