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Cirineo Pellito
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.
The encoder then packages the stream for delivery across the internet. This involves putting the components of the stream into a commonly accepted contribution format such as Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) or Secure Reliable Transport (SRT). RTMP and SRT describe streaming protocols that transport content between the encoder and the online video host.
In most cases, these streams are repackaged at the next step of the workflow for delivery to the end user. Protocols like HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) come into play here. These protocols make the content more scalable and adaptable for delivery to viewers with varying internet speeds.
Once the stream reaches viewers, a video decoder built into the player software or set-top box will decompress the data for playback. At this point, the video content has often been encoded, transcoded, delivered globally, and decompressed. Thanks to the efficiency afforded by the encoding solution used, viewers are none the wiser. All they know is that the video content is streaming live and in high quality.
Sometimes the encoder is built into the capture device itself. Other times, it requires a secondary software or hardware encoder for live streaming. With contribution encoding, content distributors generally convert the stream for delivery via RTMP, RTSP, SRT, or another ingest protocol.
The ability to fit more data into less space has changed the way video is stored and distributed. What once required renting VHS tapes or purchasing DVDs can now be accomplished by simply streaming video content over the top (OTT) or storing it in the cloud. Video encoders make this possible by compressing streaming data into a manageable size.
For use cases where reducing latency is a must, there are multiple opportunities to decrease the broadcast delay across the video supply chain. The live encoder, packager, CDN, and player must all be optimised accordingly.
Aside from the considerations above (whether or not your workflow will include encoding and transcoding, software vs. hardware solutions, 4K resolution, and low-latency encoding), here are 10 factors to mull over before selecting a live streaming encoder.
Regardless, we always suggest testing your internet strength to verify the stability of your broadcast signal. High-speed internet is also crucial for producing 4K streams, so try to go with an Ethernet-connected encoder when UHD resolution is the goal.
Depending on the criticality of your streaming content, you might require encoder and/or output redundancy. This helps ensure that your stream is resilient enough to survive a cable failure, loss of internet connectivity, or hardware (computer or encoder) failure. For anyone hosting live shopping experiences or news streams, redundancy is an important consideration.
OBS is the live encoding software that everyone should start with. The open-source solution is free, proven, and available on multiple systems (Windows, Mac, Linux). Its dedicated user base of OBS developers work to keep the tool relevant, which means its feature set is constantly growing. Useful plug-ins and integrations are always being added for that reason.
Support can be found in the community on their forums, discord, and Facebook groups. OBS also offers developer docs and a knowledge base of guides curated by their volunteer support team. When you first fire up the program, OBS Studio even offers a wizard to optimise setup.
vMix bridges the gap between software encoding and professional-quality video productions. Designed to run on a laptop but robust enough to run alongside purpose-built hardware, vMix has some great feature sets even for the minimum $60 price tag. Plus, the 60-day trial comes with all of the Pro features.
Rather than taking the form of a black box, the NAGASOFT VCS NSCaster-X1 is a touchscreen tablet for broadcasting, switching, mixing, recording, special effects, and monitoring. This complete live production system provides the flexibility to input an encoded stream from multiple cameras and devices and produce a highly professional live stream with graphic overlays, audio mixing, recording, and distribution. Alternatively, it can also be used like a contribution encoder.
Designed to make live streaming easier to operate, the touchscreen allows broadcasters to quickly switch between channels and start broadcasts. The NSCaster-X1 also offers Ethernet, Wi-FI, and 4G connectivity to meet the needs of remote encoding.
The award-winning Haivision Makito X and X4 series of encoders and decoders support low-latency, high-quality transport over unpredictable networks. Specifically, Makito encoders were designed for use cases where low latency matters, including broadcast, government, enterprise, and more.
Like many others on this list, the Datavideo NVS-40 enables video encoding and recording. The multi-channel streaming encoder has an easy-to-use web admin menu for controlling the appliance via your computer, tablet, or phone.
Another affordable option, the Blackmagic ATEM Mini makes it simple to switch up to eight high-quality video inputs live. Easy to use, fast to learn, and portable, this is a great encoding hardware that also offers a wealth of production features.
As the name suggests, this Black Box encoder is a straightforward H.264 live streaming encoder for delivering media over IP networks. The encoder comes in two versions: two or four ports. It can also be paired with the Black Box VS-2001 DEC Decoder for streaming across LAN or WAN.
Axis encoders were designed for IP-based video surveillance systems that could benefit from improved image quality, better scalability, video analytics, and a lower cost of ownership than relying on analog CCTV systems. For this reason, PTZ controls and built-in intelligent analytics are key features of the Axis M71 Video Encoder.
Another portable and versatile encoder, the Epiphan Pearl Nano is a live video production hardware designed for small-scale events. It offers a range of capabilities in a compact package and includes a built-in screen for monitoring quality during live events.
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