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One of the biggest challenges of operating a livestream is determining how to attain the optimal stream without pauses, drop-outs and buffering. Setting the encoder at too high a bitrate may prevent some viewers with slow connections from loading the content quickly enough, while too low a bitrate could hamper a high-quality stream considerably. Why choose between 2.4GHz and 5GHz? What channel should should you set your router to? These are all factors to consider when hunting for the elusive perfect livestream.
1080p or 720p?
Choosing your livestream's quality may seem like a no-brainer. Why choose 720p when 1080p is much better? While your camera and hardware encoder might be able to capture 1080p quality video, there's another factor that might prevent your viewers from seeing a high quality feed: your Internet connection.
Depending on the bandwidth at your disposal, streaming at 1080p can sometimes do more harm than good. According to YouTube Live's encoder settings recommendations, 1080p should be streamed at 3Mbps-6Mbps to produce a smooth, high-res feed. If you don't have that kind of upload speed and you choose a lower bitrate (like 2 Mbps) without choosing a lower resolution, your stream would look quite poor to most viewers.
If your Internet connection is limited, opt for the 720p instead. Lower resolution streams allow you to set a smaller bitrate, giving you the benefit of a nice quality video feed without the higher bandwidth requirements of 1080p. Now you'll be able to encode at a speed reliable enough that your audience will see a clear image without any stutters or hiccups during the broadcast.
Make sure to check your streaming platform's website to find its encoder settings recommendations, as these could vary between each platform.
Choosing the Right Hardware
Shopping for the right digital media gear for your church can be cumbersome. There are so many encoder options on the market, but only a few options are user-friendly and designed for organizations such as churches.
For encoders that are both cost-effective and simple to use, Teradek's VidiU family is an industry favorite, and, according to the company is the most popular encoding device for churches. The VidiU and VidiU Pro transmit video and audio from a camera directly to online destinations (Youtube Live, Facebook Live, Periscope, etc.), making it extremely easy to get content online. They can both stream 1080p at up to 5.2 Mbps, an excellent quality feed for the price point.
Finding the Best Channel
There are three options for getting your church's content online with an encoder: WiFi, Ethernet and cellular data. While Ethernet gives you a secure connection, sometimes a hardwired connection is not the most viable, prompting organizations to use WiFi instead. However, a quality WiFi connection is affected by a number of different factors, and issues like wireless signal interference can significantly hamper your streaming speeds.
To determine the optimal settings for your WiFi access point, we recommend downloading a WiFi scanning tool like WiFi Analyzer or using Mac OS's natively integrated Wireless Diagnostics (press and hold Option + click the WiFi signal). These tools detect all nearby frequencies and make appropriate recommendations for switching channels. In many newer routers, simply restarting the router will cause it to automatically connect to the best channel, but users can also access the router's web interface and select preferred channels manually.
2.4Ghz vs 5Ghz
Most routers nowadays offer a feature called “dual-band” networking which broadcasts two types of frequencies for WiFi enabled devices to connect to: 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz.
Here's a quick breakdown of the main differences:
2.4Ghz is the conventional frequency found in most WiFi devices. It has better wall penetration and covers a longer range than its 5Ghz counterpart, but it sacrifices connection speeds in the process.
5Ghz has a much higher throughput, which allows for a stronger and faster connection, but is more easily hindered by obstructions like walls and pews. Because so many devices operate on the 2.4Ghz band, it's prone to interference and not recommended for live streaming. 5Ghz is much less congested than 2.4Ghz, and offers a better solution for live streaming devices.
The size of your church space and obstacles between router and streaming device can have a big impact on the quality of the livestream. Always use a hardwired Ethernet connection directly from an Internet source when possible. Ethernet connections are more stable and will save you the additional step of managing a wireless router.
As religious organizations adapt to an increasingly technological world, live streaming is the next step to expanding every church's outreach. Following these best practices will ensure your church services meet the multimedia demands of the digital age of worship, and give your church the wider recognition it deserves.
