A method for selecting an SVC operation point is provided, which includes: receiving an SDP message, where the SDP message includes a unique ID of each operation point and characteristic parameters of at least one operation point of multiple operation points, where the unique ID includes a layer-ID; selecting an operation point from the multiple operation points; and sending a session setup request that includes the unique ID of the selected operation point. A server device and a client device are also provided. Through the method and the device, each operation point may be uniquely identified, and the mapping relationship between each operation point and characteristic parameters is clarified.