I have a connection to a remote camera over VPN that when connected takes up most of the remote available upload bandwidth. I have been testing things and was hoping that as long as I am not recording anything no bandwidth would be used as long as I am not viewing the camera in UI3 or BI itself. That doesn't seem to be the case though, bandwidth is being used no matter what.

Is there a setting where I can make it so when not recording video/audio and there are no clients watching a cam in UI3 or BI, that BI will drop its connection to the cam. Then if UI3 gets opened, reconnect to that cam on demand?

Have you tried disabling the camera in BI5 and checking bandwidth ? Otherwise I think BI5 would just report a failed camera. Does the remote camera actually have to work when BI5 isn't viewing it ? That could mean you could power it on and off remotely as required with home automation. Clearly no good if it is being viewed locally.