{"id":8571,"date":"2023-06-08T11:41:15","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T11:41:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mslive.co.in\/blog\/?p=8571"},"modified":"2023-08-26T09:45:49","modified_gmt":"2023-08-26T09:45:49","slug":"live-streaming-server-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mslive.co.in\/blog\/live-streaming-server-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"Video Streaming Costs | Streaming Server Costs for 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Hosting a professional live stream<\/a> has a lot of moving parts. In addition to a camera, online video platform<\/a>, and encoders, some miscellaneous tools for streaming are often overlooked. One of these tools is a video capture device.<\/p>

In this post, we\u2019re going to discuss everything you need to know about video capture devices for live streaming<\/a>. We will break down what video capture devices are, how to choose one, and how a capture card will fit into your streaming<\/a> setup.<\/p>

This post was originally written in 2017 by Gerard Virga, a webcasting<\/a> specialist, as a guest post for the Mslive blog<\/a>. It was last updated in July 2021 to reflect the most recent innovations in video capture devices for live streaming<\/a>.<\/p>

What is a Video Capture Device?<\/strong><\/p>

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Video capture devices<\/a> are also known as video capture cards.<\/p>

A video capture device<\/a>, which is also called a \u201cvideo capture card,\u201d is a piece of hardware that connects your live streaming<\/a> camera to your computer. Video capture devices are mostly used with PCs, but they can work with laptops that have the proper ports.<\/p>

The reason that broadcasters<\/a> use video capture devices is to connect their external stream sources to the video streaming platform<\/a> that is operating on their computer.<\/p>

The Technical Background of Video Capture Devices<\/strong><\/p>

Over the last ten years, the video industry has transformed from Standard Definition (SD) to High Definition (HD), to Ultra High Definition (Ultra HD or UHD). This transition has affected all of the technology that brings live streams<\/a> to life.<\/p>

Let\u2019s take a look at a few of the different technological elements that keep video capture devices<\/a> running with different streaming setups.<\/p>

Signaling<\/strong><\/p>

Your video capture device<\/a> needs to support the signal format which you have available as an input. This may be as simple as an HDMI<\/a> consumer camera that supports 1080p or 720p.<\/p>

It all started with the National Television System Committee (NTSC) back in 1953, when the original TV standards were formed. They outlined that in North America, a TV image containing 525 horizontal lines (483 are visible) would be interlaced, meaning that only half (alternating) lines are rendered in each frame.<\/p>

Today this early standard is known as Standard Definition (SD)<\/a>.<\/p>

Below is a chart of signal types and the connectors that are commonly used with them.<\/p>

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Interlacing<\/strong><\/p>

Interlacing was a method for cheating since there wasn\u2019t enough over-the-air bandwidth for a single frame. They split alternating lines into two frames and the phosphors in the old tube TVs glowed long enough for the alternating lines to blend.<\/p>

Interlacing is still used in HD<\/a> applications to lower the amount of data need to for the same effective resolution. While there are no longer phosphors used in displays the time on screen is so short that your eye cannot tell that you are only seeing half the image at once.<\/p>

The DVD was the industry\u2019s first implementation of digital technology and specified a method for converting analog video<\/a> signals into digital data and storing it on DVD media. The effective resolution was 640\u00d7480 and referred to as 480i, the \u201ci\u201d meaning it was interlaced.<\/p>

While the DVD was revolutionary at the time, the next wave of change to fully digital TV was even farther-reaching and enabled higher resolutions. The new specifications provided for the whole TV ecosystem to be digital from the camera to display, including over-the-air broadcast<\/a> signals.<\/p>

The new digital TV rules only guide how signals are handled, as opposed to the single mandated resolution of the early NTSC standard. This allows for a broad range of signals and causes lots of confusion, particularly with what we refer to as \u201cHD<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>

The easiest way to think about a signal format is by its resolution. Common designations for HD<\/a> are 1080p and 720p. The number is the frame height in pixels, while the letter \u201ci\u201d or \u201cp\u201d is the interlacing method (or lack thereof). As we mentioned above, \u201ci\u201d means Interlaced, rendering alternating lines in each frame. \u201cP\u201d means progressive, which means there is no interlacing and all lines are rendered in every frame.<\/p>

As you would guess, progressive delivers a better picture, because each frame contains a complete image, unlike interlaced, which is like looking at a picture through a fast flickering window<\/a> blind.<\/p>

However, progressive content consumes twice the data to render the same video<\/a> as an interlaced signal. This is especially important when the signal is broadcast<\/a> over the air, but not so important when being recorded.<\/p>

Aspect Ratio<\/strong><\/p>

The last component of the signal is the frame aspect ratio<\/a>. The aspect ratio describes the shape of the viewing frame, width to height being the multiplier used to determine the final resolution of the frame. Standard Definition is most commonly in 4:3 aspect and HD being 16:9.<\/p>

4k<\/a> is the newest term in the video<\/a> industry. This term was originally coined by the Digital Cinema Initiative and refers to the horizontal resolution of 4000 pixels. DCI\u2019s specification is 4096 x 2160. By comparison, Ultra HD (UHD), the standard used for consumer 4K TVs<\/a>, is 3840 x 2160. We could also call Full HD \u201c2K\u201d at its 1920\u00d71080. But we don\u2019t.<\/p>

Below is a chart that outlines common digital signals and resolutions.<\/p>

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How to Choose the Right Video Capture Device<\/strong><\/p>

Different video capture devices<\/a> have different functionality.<\/p>

Now that you understand the ins and outs of video capture devices<\/a>, you can focus on your needs and deciding what type of device is best for your application.<\/p>

This leads to three questions about your specific needs.<\/p>

1. How many video sources are you using? A single-camera or multiple video sources?<\/strong><\/p>

This is the first question you must answer. If your project only requires a single camera (or video<\/a> source), then a USB device will likely be your best bet. We recommended the Magewell USB Capture line of driver-free devices. It\u2019s as simple as it can get \u2013 truly plug and play.<\/p>

The USB Capture family is available with HDMI or SDI input. The USB Capture Plus line comes in HDMI<\/a>, SDI, and DVI models, with signal loop-through (out) on the HDMI and SDI versions, and analog audio<\/a> input and output.<\/p>

If you need more than one source available to your software, then a PCIe capture card would be best. Magewell has a complete line of PCIe capture cards with a vast array of input options. These cards come with one, two, and four channels<\/a> on a single card.<\/p>

2. Does your solution need to be portable?<\/strong><\/p>

A USB device might be the best option if portability is important. Otherwise, you might want to consider a purpose-built system like the Stream<\/a>Dynamics StreamMini X4. This compact, small-form-factor system incorporates the Magewell Pro Capture Quad card, which provides four live<\/a> camera sources to your software.<\/p>

3. What type of output connectivity does your camera or switcher support?<\/strong><\/p>

In general, the most common digital signal is HDMI<\/a>, which is available from both consumer and professional cameras. SDI is also a common video<\/a> output professional signal.<\/p>

The biggest difference between HDMI and SDI is that SDI cables can run a much longer distance before losing signal strength. Depending on the age of your equipment, it may also support several other types and connections (such as composite, s-video, or component video<\/a>; and balanced or unbalanced analog audio<\/a>). Once you know the type of output and signal format you will be using, select a video capture device<\/a> that supports it.<\/p>

It\u2019s also worth noting the all-in-one class devices which have a single capture channel and allow you to select from a broad array of a\/v input types, from analog to digital and SD to HD. There is even a 4K<\/a> all-in-one card that spans from SD to 4K capture resolutions.<\/p>

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>

Which capture device you choose will depend on your unique streaming<\/a> setup.<\/p>

Video capture devices<\/a> are essential for many live streaming<\/a> setups. When it comes down to selecting the best video capture device for your streaming<\/a> setup, remember that USB capture devices are portable and easy, and PCIe capture devices are designed for performance and multiple channels.<\/p>

Selecting a video capture device can be as easy as 1 \u2013 2 \u2013 3<\/p>