Frequently Asked Questions

What is an encoder?
How do I get my video into my encoder?
How much bandwidth do I need for a live event?
What about multi bit rates and surestream type technology?
What about redundant encoders?
Do you sell encoders?

Q: What is an encoder?
A: An encoder compresses your live audio and video feeds into a stream or series of streams which are then transmitted to a delivery platform for distribution to your live webcast audience. Encoders are also used for creating high quality files for streaming on demand.
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Q: How do I get my video into my encoder?
A: Encoding appliances like the TouchStream models we sell have everything you need to simply plug your audio and video feeds directly into the encoder. Inside these power packed encoders is an intelligent capture card with processing capabilities that work in tandem with the host CPU to create great quality streams and files.

Desktop computers may be converted to a quality encoder with the addition of a capture card. Capture cards like the DRC 500 will deliver the highest quality while TV tuner type capture devices will deliver very low quality. A high quality capture card will give you everything from hi definition capabilities to on board processing. Lower cost capture cards will make the host CPU handle all the processing which will severely limit your encoding capabilities.

Notebook computers will need an external converter to convert the analog video and audio into a digital connection such as firewire or USB. These configurations can deliver moderate quality streams with minimal choice of resolutions.
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Q: How much bandwidth do I need for a live event?
A: As a rule of thumb we always suggest you have 2x outbound bandwidth over your stream size. We suggest 2X because there can often be fluctuations in bendwidth. Should your outbound bandwidth drop below your live encoded stream then you will suffer packet loss to the platform and all viewers will instantly experience a buffer situation and the stream will remain incomplete until the bandwidth once again exceeds your encoded stream. Here are three examples:

EX1. A single 500K stream would need 1000K.

EX2. A single encoder delivering a 1000K stream, a 500K stream and a 100K stream would be sending out a total of 1600K (slightly more than a T1). This would require a minimum of two full T1s where no one else was using outbound bandwidth.

EX3. Two redundant encoders where the first is sending out a 1000K, a 500K and a 100K and the second encoder is sending out a 500K and a 100K stream. In total, these two encoders are sending 2600K and would require 5200K for stable safe operation. This is close to 4 full T1s.

Always test your available outbound bandwidth prior to starting a live event so you can caclulate the best outbound stream size for the event, the target audience and what will fit inside the available bandwidth.
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Q: What about multi bit rates and surestream type technology?
A: Multi bit rate technology has been around for a long time. Recent improvements have once again brought this technology to the front and vendors are actively using it as differentiators in their servers and encoders. It is a great technology and can provide some impressive benefits. Keep in mind that multi bit rates also means more outbound bandwidth at the site of the webcast. If you can not get the multiple streams to the platform fully intact then you will have a failed event. We suggest you only use this technology when you have very, very substantial outbound bandwidth on site.
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Q: What about redundant encoders?
A: There is hot and cold redundancy. A hot encoder is actually running and it's outbound stream is active. A cold encoder is online and ready to go but not sending a stream. We recommend always having an encoder back up but we suggest you be careful with hot encoder backups as they can sometimes exceed the available outbound bandwidth.
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Q: Do you sell encoders?
A: Yes.
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