Encoding Equipment

Video encoders are the hardware (or software) that convert raw camera signals into compressed video streams suitable for delivery. The encoder is often the most critical component determining whether your stream works or fails because it's the bridge between production and audience.

For hardware encoding, Creative Broadcast Agency primarily uses Teradek Prism units. These are rack-mounted encoders that accept SDI camera feeds and output multiple bitrate streams simultaneously over IP networks. The Prism advantages are processing power, reliability (they're designed for broadcast, not just streaming), and the ability to create multiple quality tiers without degrading your primary output. A single Prism can ingest four 1080p60 feeds and output six different bitrate variants, all in real time.

LiveU units handle a different problem: remote location encoding where you need to send video from a field location back to the main control room over whatever internet connectivity exists. During corporate streaming work with remote speakers in different emirates or from home offices, LiveU provides reliable ingest with built-in bandwidth optimization. If someone's home WiFi is unstable, LiveU adapts encoding automatically. this is different from the client-side adaptation of adaptive bitrate streaming.

For corporate events and webinars, we often use software encoders like vMix or OBS running on powerful PC hardware. The trade-off is clear: software encoders are cheaper and more flexible (you can adjust settings mid-stream), but they're sensitive to CPU overload. If you're running graphics, mixing, and encoding on the same PC and someone launches a large file transfer, encoding quality will suffer.

The encoder also determines latency. Hardware encoders like Teradek Prism introduce 1-2 frames of latency. Software encoders can be faster (under 1 frame/) but are less stable under load. For low-latency streaming using SRT, the encoder must support the protocol. standard RTMP encoders won't work.

Encoder selection also determines which streaming protocols you can use. Prism supports RTMP, RTMPS, SRT, and HLS output. Not every encoder supports every protocol, so knowing your delivery requirements before choosing encoding hardware is critical.