Open Broadcast Encoder
Gaby Zenz
Latency
In our 2021 Broadcast IP Transformation Report, we asked broadcast and streaming professionals what their biggest three challenges were and in third place behind transitioning to IP and enabling remote collaboration, 38% of those polled said that reducing broadcast latency was one of the top challenges they faced.
The drive towards low latency is constant and the ability for broadcasters to reduce glass-to-glass latency is clearly still a key concern. There are many factors that contribute to latency including the type of network used, a LAN or Internet for example, and the speed of the network, also known as RTT or the total round-trip time. The individual video processing components along the broadcast workflow as well as the choice of protocols and output formats can also affect latency. And of course, with more broadcasters relying on video streaming to support remote collaboration, latency between video production elements needs to be kept as low as possible.
There are several ways to minimize video latency without having to compromise on picture quality. The first is to choose a hardware encoder and decoder pair that has been engineered to keep latency as low as possible, even when streaming over a standard internet connection. The latest generation of video encoders can maintain low latency (under 50ms in some cases) and have enough processing power to encode video in HEVC at extremely low bitrates (down to under 3 Mbps for HD content) all while maintaining high picture quality.
Another key factor in lowering latency is to select a video transport protocol that will deliver high-quality video at low latency over noisy, public networks like the internet. Successfully streaming video over the internet without compromising on picture quality, requires some form of error correction to prevent packet loss. Packet loss recovery approaches will introduce latency, but some more than others. The Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) open-source protocol leverages ARQ error correction to help prevent packet loss while introducing less latency than other approaches including RTMP.
Reliability
Depending on the situation, some video encoders may have to contend with unpredictable IP networks such as the public internet. In order to ensure the reliability of the live video stream, some video encoders have features like adaptive bitrate encoding, SRT with packet loss recovery, and hitless failover over redundant networks to ensure that the best quality video possible is always available and mitigate the risk of streams failing.
Multi-Camera Support
For remote production or REMI-type workflows where multiple cameras are involved, consider a video encoder that can support multiple SDI inputs. If the video feeds are not synchronized to each other as well as to the main audio stream, switching between cameras can result in issues detrimental to the viewing experience such as input lag or lip-sync delay. Some video encoders can not only encode all the inputs simultaneously, but they can embed timecodes so that they can easily be kept in sync by a paired decoder.
Flexible Form Factor
Flexible deployment options from ultra-compact appliances to high-density chassis solutions are a must-have in many use cases, especially where space is at a premium. A portable, lightweight video encoder can be easily used anywhere whether it is integrated into a flypack for use in the field, as part of a home-based setup, or simply whenever there is a need to minimize the footprint where limited space is available. Some situations might even call for a ruggedized video encoder designed to withstand harsh environments.
Ease of Use and Support
This is more a function of who is operating the video encoder. While many broadcast engineers will be familiar with a variety of video encoders and hardware, some organizations may need a more user-friendly device with support available to them. Choosing an encoder with a web-based user interface makes it easy for system administrators to remotely configure a video encoder.
Here's a list of YouTube Live Verified encoders. None of these products are made by YouTube. Make sure that you evaluate the products and decide which option makes the most sense for you or your business.
The all-in-one multi-camera video recording, editing and live streaming app. Include up to eight local iPhones, digital cameras and remote guests via Zoom in HD. Add overlays, graphics, audio, video, screens and visual effects. Stream to YouTube, Zoom and RTMP. Save hours building your video library with the in-app editor.
PRISM Live Studio is a streaming software for Windows that is recognised for its intuitive user interface and convenient usability. Streamers love this software for its stable streaming quality and attractive features such as beauty and sticker effects, drawing, virtual background, virtual camera and integration with PRISM mobile apps. All the features are provided at no charge.
Easily produce and distribute broadcast-quality live streams. You can invite guests from anywhere, drag and drop media and graphics, add live commerce to your streams, interact with audiences and earn revenue.
Easy-to-use, award-winning live streaming and production software. Add cameras, live screenshots, titles, graphics and more at the click of a button. Stream directly to YouTube or any RTMP destination. Works with the YouTube API so that you can manage, create and schedule or stream your live channel without leaving the app.
StreamYard is the most popular live streaming and podcast studio in the world. Interview guests, feature live chats on screen, brand your broadcasts and more. All in your browser, no downloads required. Get started for free.
Nimble Streamer is a software media server for building cost-efficient streaming and Content Delivery Networks. Network capabilities include RTMP, SRT, NDI, Dante, WebRTC, Icecast, HLS, DASH and much more, along with a transcoder add-on for content transformation. Playout, ads insertion, paywall and other features allow easy-to-use content monetisation.
Elgato is a world-leading provider of audiovisual technology for content creators on all video-sharing platforms and the creator of Stream Deck, a programmable USB controller that has over 200 ready-made plug-ins or map keyboard shortcuts to keys or dials for your live stream production.
The Pearl-2 is a video switcher, recorder, streamer, splitter and scaler all in one. This software offers six video inputs and four for XLR professional audio, 4K streaming and recording, NDI support, chroma keying and much more. Pearl-2 brings the pro features and processing power required for the most demanding live streams.
Intinor develops products for sending high-quality video over the Internet. Our products are easy to use, mobile, robust and reliable. Used by broadcasters, these are the trusted encoders of choice for major esports events. Made in Sweden.
NVIDIA GPUs contain a hardware-based encoder (NVENC) which provides fully accelerated hardware-based video encoding, enabling higher-quality live streaming and better game performance without the need to utilise your CPU.
PRISM Live Studio is one of the most popular mobile apps optimised for IRL and gaming streaming. It is loved by streamers for its stable streaming quality and attractive features such as decoration and beauty effects, source overlay and chroma key. All the features are provided at no charge.
There's no charge when downloaded from iOS App Store. Easily produce professional live broadcasts from your iPhone and stream them to YouTube. Switch shots, add photos, graphics and more on up to three layers at a time for powerful mobile production. Read YouTube comments, chat in real time and interact with your audience. Schedule, create and manage your YouTube live streams directly inside the app. Upgrade from the no-charge version to stream to any RTMP destination.
Larix Broadcaster is a mobile app for iOS and Android for capturing and streaming live via protocols like SRT, RTMP, NDI, WebRTC, Zixi and more. Users can utilise the full power of their mobile cameras to contribute content with web and text overlays, graphics, dynamic camera manipulation, advanced audio settings and other enhancements to make IRL streams of any kind.
When you live stream, you can use a compact version of the Live Control Room (Live Control Panel) to minimise the display area that you need for your stream. The Live Control Panel shows you important info from the Live Control Room, such as Views and Chat revenue, in a smaller display area.
OBE C-100 encoders/decoders all feature 5G support, making it possible for customers to contribute live video over 5G and experience broadcast quality at sub 100ms latencies over mobile networks, without the external hardware. The platforms also allow multiple feeds to be encoded and decoded on a single server, reducing hardware requirements for further reductions in cost and space and allowing the same license to be used in different locations and times.
Recent updates to the C-100 encoders/decoders include
Streaming encoders are an essential tool for transporting live video across the internet. Their utility is two-fold: content distributors use encoders to digitise video (changing from analog to digital) while simultaneously shrinking gigabytes of data down to megabytes.
Look no further. Our team of video engineering experts has put together a comprehensive comparison of the best live contribution encoders available in 2023. From free software options to 4K live streaming encoder hardware, we cover it all. Keep reading for the what, where, when, and why of video encoding.
Milliseconds after a stream is captured, an encoder uses video compression algorithms called codecs to condense the data. Live encoders employ lossy compression, tossing out unnecessary data to ensure the greatest reduction in file size possible without degrading perceptual video quality.
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