As it becomes a popular way for churches to connect with their congregation, the live-streaming trend has escalated. Giving your audience a live stream with low quality will not do you any good. No one sticks around in streams that lag, buffer, or worse, crash entirely. Fortunately, there are many ways to enhance the quality of video streaming. You can provide your viewers with both stable and high-resolution live video content. The key thing to bear in mind is that the greater the broadcast’s performance is on your end, the better your audience’s viewing experience will be. Here are some tips for quality livestream videos.
Camera Equipment
It isn’t easy to achieve a professional-looking stream without proper camera equipment; however, it is fast and straightforward to pick up a smartphone and start live streaming. While smartphones may be improving by the day, it is still impossible to broadcast in 4K HD without investing in an appropriate camera.
Investing in a professional set-up is worth every penny if you want to provide your congregation with consistently high-quality video streams. The streaming devices you use can make or break your live stream. One leading explanation for this is that there is nothing you can do to enhance it if your original recording is of low quality.
This is why using a good quality camera would provide the best quality of your picture possible.
Optimize Encoder Settings
For any high-quality live stream, encoders are a critical element. It converts audiovisual signals into streamable content. Your video content won’t be suitable for streaming across the internet without using some encoder. There are specific settings to optimize, whether you choose to use physical hardware or encoding software, that will ensure that you stream content at the highest quality:
Video Codec: H.264, 4.2 for 1080p 60 FPS/H.264, 5.1 for 1440p 60 FPS/H.264, 5.2 for 2160p 60 FPS
Audio Codec: AAC
Variable Bitrate: On
Frames Per Second/Frame rate: 30 is standard but up to 60 fps
Keyframe Interval: Recommended 2 seconds, not above 4 seconds.
Video resolution: 1080p or above
Video bitrate: 4,500 to 6,000 kbps
Audio bitrate: 128 Kbps stereo
Streaming Platform Used
Another useful piece of advice for improving video streaming quality is selecting a trusted and effective streaming service. Where quality is concerned, your live streams will also rely on the streaming platform you use. Maximize the quality of your video streaming by picking the best platform for you. These streaming platforms offer the management and hosting of your video streams. Typically, they also provide tools for the monetization of your videos, security, and so on.
When looking for your church’s right streaming platform, always keep in mind the features that they offer. The platform must allow you to stream from any device, with any encoder, and enable you to broadcast using full 1080p HD for any length of duration.
Internet Connection
It would be best to have enough internet speed to handle the streaming when you do your broadcast. For live video, the broadcast bitrate should be at least twice your upload bandwidth. By searching for “internet speed test” on Google, you can test your Internet speed. Google has a built-in tool that generates both your upload and download speeds. In the uploading and encoding process, some speed is lost. So the higher the speed you can retain at your end, the smoother it will be on the viewing side.
Livestreaming with high quality largely rests on the strength and speed of your internet connection. Make sure your Internet speed is at its optimal level to ensure that your live stream does not buffer your viewers. I recommend that you choose ethernet over a wireless connection when considering internet access, as WiFi can be unreliable. To ensure a strong signal, move close to the router if WiFi is your only choice.
Test Thoroughly
There are many factors involved in streaming video, so checking before you begin your stream is a great idea. You can never be too cautious when broadcasting. To ensure that no problems arise at the last minute, you should always test and test some more.
When testing, knowing what to look for is half of the battle. To give yourself peace of mind and avoid any potential issues by having a low-quality stream, check your resolution, speed, equipment, and other aspects of your stream on multiple devices. There’s nothing wrong with evaluating your stream numerous times to guarantee you and your viewers’ smooth experience.
Conclusion
Enhancing and optimizing the quality of your church’s broadcasts is a must, especially during these times where these streams are the only way some people can attend services. If you’re not sure if livestreaming is for your church, here’s “4 Benefits of Adding Livestream to Your Church.” We hope this post helped you and gave you tips for how to prepare quality livestream videos for your church.
