Video switchers have changed in recent years to where it was not that long ago, that the idea of video switchers delivering content directly to the internet was far-fetched. Now, it's a standard sales feature that many end-users consider a "must have."
Typically, streaming is a feature that is seen more on smaller video switchers, rather than the full-size production switchers. This is great for churches, because many churches don't need a full-blown large production switcher to fulfill their needs.
No matter how you do it, today there very few excuses for a church to not have streaming content in one form or fashion.
Most of the streaming switchers stream one of two ways: The first option is for the switcher to have an Ethernet port that can directly deliver encoded web-ready video. The second option is a USB connection to deliver video in a format that a computer can ingest and then stream. For the purposes of this article, we will refer to these as capable or enabled, respectively.
A note about streaming: Just because the switcher is capable or enabled, does not really get you anything, but the ability to stream. It also requires that you have a platform to receive the video and either archive or deliver it as you choose. These could be as complicated as having a Content Delivery Network, or CDN, that handles automated multicast delivery and archive or as simple as sending it to Facebook Live, or YouTube. Regardless, the point is if you are considering a streaming switcher, be sure you have a solution in mind for handling your video, once it gets to the web. In other words, make sure you understand where you are planning to send it.
Stream Capable: The six switchers noted in this category have an Ethernet port for web delivery.
Telestream Wirecast Gear
This recent release from Telestream is a great turnkey solution. It combines all the hardware I/O you need, with the industry standard Wirecast software for control streaming. It would be possible to piecemeal together a similar system, if you build it yourself, but the Wirecast gear is optimized for use with Wirecast software. I used this system for a review and found it to be feature rich and incredibly stable. These systems are available in a few different options with respect to I/O, but the Wirecast software is handling the control and streaming.
NewTek TriCaster
Possibly the best-known system in the bunch, it was also one of the early adopters of web delivery. The TC-1 features dual channel live streaming to Facebook Live, Microsoft® Azure®, Periscope, Twitch, YouTube Live, basically anywhere. The TC-1 takes the streaming options a step further, by also having real-time social media sharing to Facebook, Imgur, LinkedIn, Twitter, Vimeo, YouTube, and more. It's also great for VOD and Archive, because it records multi-channel ISO at full-resolution QuickTime® and H.264. As the industry standard codec, H.264 is ideal for uploading for VOD, so having an archive-ready file is a big advantage.
Broadcast Pix BPswitch
Taking web delivery to a new level by not settling for using the web as delivery only, the Broadcast Pix BPswitch uses the web as the platform for control. The Broadcast Pix BPswitch can receive content from cameras via the web using a proprietary system developed by Broadcast Pix, giving it the ability to control entire shows from a remote location. For churches that have remote locations that need the option to be controlled from another site, this is the appropriate solution. It also serves as a great standard switcher as well, giving the ability to pull double duty. With multiple control surface options and the ability to utilize them simultaneously, the Broadcast Pix is a great solution for churches looking to do IMAG and a separate broadcast feed.
Epiphan Pearl
The dark horse of this category, this compact box is incredibly powerful and full of great features. However, it's not as well known in the church market, which is a shame, because it is a well-designed piece of gear. While its detail control is done though a web UI, it can also be controlled from the front touchscreen, making it a very user (read volunteer) friendly solution. The Pearl can be configured to be as simple as touch the camera you want. It features multiple programmable destinations so it can stream different content to multiple locations. Once it's set up, there are few systems that are as easy to use.
Livestream Studio HD51
As the name implies, this switcher is designed with streaming in mind. The HD 51 streams via Gigabit/100/10 built-in Ethernet port. It streams at resolutions up to 720p. It's capable of multiple simultaneous bit-rates, including mobile quality for playback over 3G on mobile devices (iPhone/Android). One of the big advantages of this system is the manufacturer is also a streaming service provider, meaning that the integration is unparalleled. However, it can also stream to any other RTMP-compatible service, including Ustream, YouTube Live, Akamai, and Wowza Media Server.
Sony Anycast Touch Live Content Producer AWS-750
This unique switcher features a large dual touch panel control surface, which includes an onboard multiviewer. This makes it one of the few streaming switchers that doesn't require a periphery screen. This all-in-one system streams at a resolution of up to 960x540 at H.264, to a RTMP protocol streaming server. The Anycast can also record locally to edit ready .MXF files make it a good solution for archiving or uploading for VOD.
Stream Enabled: The two switchers listed below feature a USB port and will require a computer or other device to get the video feed to the web.
Roland VR-50HD
Known for their small format switchers, Roland has a great product in the VR-50HD. The USB 2.0/3.0 output enables web streaming with ease, by simply connecting to a computer running a live streaming service. The video format is up to 1080/59.94p through USB 3.0, and up to 720/29.97p through USB 2.0. The resolution and frame rate of video format and audio level and delay can be changed, thanks to the dedicated scaler and the dedicated volume and delay for the USB output.
Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio
The ATEM Television Studio family is a little unique. The original Television Studio had a USB port to transmit encoded video, that could be used by several applications. However, the just released TV Studio HD and Pro HD both feature a USB port, but mention nothing about using it for streaming in the specs. I'm including it here because as one of the most inexpensive switchers on the list, adding something like the Blackmagic Design Web Presenter to the ATEM TV Studio keeps it cost competitive to the rest of the list.
This brings me to an important point to mention, there are other products that can be used in concert with switchers that will handle the streaming. They will essentially make any switcher stream capable. The previously mentioned Blackmagic Design Web Presenter is one option. Others include the Matrox Monarch, Live Stream Broadcaster Pro and the Teradek Vidiu. These devices can be attached directly to a camera or to the program feed of a switcher, and will handle the encode and streaming. However, I think where this option really shines is when one of these devices is attached to an Aux out of a switcher, so it can have a dedicated web-only feed that is different from your program or IMAG feed.
No matter how you do it, today there very few excuses for a church to not have streaming content in one form or fashion. A few years ago, there was a statistic floating around about how people will watch your service online six or seven times before they ever attend your church in person. If there is any accuracy in that, your church can't afford to miss meeting these potential newcomers where they are.