Encoding Equipment
Video encoders convert raw camera signals into compressed video streams suitable for delivery over IP networks.
Where we use this- Between the programme and the internet: the bridge from production to audience.
- It sets picture quality, latency and which protocols you can send.
- CPU overload on software encoders. Run a second encoder in parallel.
What it means in live production.
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, we use broadcast-grade units with a second encoder running as a hot standby. 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.
How it works on a live production.
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, software encoders running on powerful PC hardware are common. 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.
Broadcast equipment hire
Encoders run in pairs on our productions, so one can fail without the audience noticing.
Broadcast equipment hire
AV equipment hire in Dubai: cameras, vision mixers, audio consoles, lighting, LED screens, and broadcast gear. With technical crew or dry-hire.
ReadBest cameras for live streaming
ReadLive streaming equipment setup: complete guide
A complete live streaming equipment setup guide: cameras, audio, encoders, lighting, and connectivity.
ReadLower thirds explained
A lower third is the graphic overlay at the bottom portion of the broadcast frame that identifies who is on screen, where they are, or what they represent.
ReadBitrate explained
Bitrate is the amount of data transmitted per second of video, measured in bits per second (bps).
ReadQuestions people ask about this.
How many bitrates can one encoder handle?
A Teradek Prism can create six simultaneous bitrate outputs from a single feed without significant CPU overhead. A software encoder on a high-end PC can do 4-6 but with more CPU risk. For multi-feed events, you need either multiple encoders or careful load management. We plan encoder architecture during the site survey.
What's the difference between hardware and software encoding?
Hardware encoders are specialized devices optimized for reliability and processing power. Software encoders run on general-purpose computers, offering flexibility but less stability under load. For events expecting 10,000+ simultaneous viewers, we prefer hardware. For internal corporate streams, software often suffices.
Can we switch encoders during a live stream?
No, changing primary encoders requires disconnecting the old stream and connecting the new one. causing visible interruption. This is why backup encoder redundancy is built into system design, not improvised during the event. Switching to backup happens automatically with proper failover configuration.
Does the encoder affect final video quality?
Significantly. An encoder set to fixed quality mode (CRF or quality-based VBR) produces different results than one in fixed bitrate mode, even at the same target bitrate. The encoder's motion detection, scene-change adaptation, and codec optimization algorithms matter. Higher-end encoders produce better quality at the same bitrate.
Tell us the date, the venue and who is watching.
We scope every live production against its run of show, not a package.
CBA supplies broadcast equipment hire for events across the Emirates and the Gulf, with the crew who operate it.