Earlier this year, the team at Teradek launched the Wave, a multipurpose streaming encoder and monitor combo that meets a wide range of needs for churches. Teradek has been a long-time player in the wireless video and streaming marketplace. The Teradek Wave builds on the feature set and functionality of their existing encoder platform, like the Vidiu.
...the Teradek Wave could be a game-changer for churches where network issues are common.
This multipurpose monitor and encoder can handle all your standard streaming needs through the HDMI input for video and 3.5mm for analog audio. It also provides a variety of resolution options and frame rates all the way up to 1080P60 for streaming and recording. However, the two areas that most impressed me pertain to the network connectivity and the portability factor.
The Teradek Wave utilizes a feature called network bonding to create a stable and reliable connection, and this dramatically increases the number of applications for churches large and small. Instead of having to rely on a single connection to carry your stream, you can connect the Wave to multiple network sources for redundant connections. This is made possible through a tool called “share link” which essentially breaks down your encoded video into multiple packets, sends each packet through various network connections, and then reconnects all the packets sent to your streaming platforms to create a high-quality and reliable video stream. You can add network connections through ethernet and USB inputs as well as Wi-Fi.
It’s important to note that this feature does require a monthly subscription or pay-as-you-go option based on how much bandwidth you will use. Teradek provides a helpful calculator on their website to determine just how much you’ll need.
Portability is also a major benefit for the Teradek wave. By utilizing a pair of batteries and the quarter-inch screw on the bottom, you can mount the monitor directly to your camera and stream anywhere you would like. The batteries are hot-swappable, so you can constantly replace the batteries to avoid losing power. Additionally, through their impressive network options, you can use data from your cell phone to connect your stream making this a completely portable streaming setup. As a bonus, when using the Wave app on your phone, it appears to not consume your cellular data as a “hotspot” but instead as regular data to avoid running into hotspot limitations. Also, in the portability category, the Teradek Wave has a bright monitor coming in at 1000 nits making it usable outdoors and on par with other high-end monitors in this space.
The two areas that most impressed me pertain to the network connectivity and the portability factor.
Although I’ve not been able to test the device, the Teradek Wave could be a game-changer for churches where network issues are common. For example, I know of many rural churches in my state, Arkansas, that have limited access to high-speed internet to support a high-resolution live stream. By using multiple cell phones and/or hotspot modems, network problems could be eliminated. For others who simply experience network surges each week with so many devices connecting on a Sunday morning, a secondary connection from a separate modem, cell phone or hotspot could provide added stability.
Also, the Teradek Wave could serve churches who are needing a live-streaming solution in multiple areas but might not be able to afford multiple setups. By utilizing their events scheduler, you could move the Wave from one spot to another and be ready to stream with just a few simple clicks and no additional equipment needed. Similarly, it would also be a great fit for a portable church or churches that are meeting in shared spaces and must move gear each service.
In some cases, devices that try to solve multiple challenges are generally lower quality or suffer in reliability. However, it appears that the Teradek Wave has the features and development to set it up as a high-quality HD monitor and reliable streaming encoder combo device. For churches with these specific needs, it would likely be a cost-effective and simple solution.
