How to Put Together a Cost-Effective Portable Streaming Kit (UPDATED)

Ultra-Portable Switchers

Besides a laptop or desktop solution that you assemble on your own, like those I described earlier, there are other systems that give you a complete, pre-built streaming solution in a single unit.

1Beyond

The 1Beyond StreamMachine is about the size of a lunchbox. It’s quite portable, it fits in a carry-on, and we used it as a primary encoder at one of the events that we streamed from Streaming Media West 2013.

For software, the StreamMachine Pro uses Telestream Wirecast Pro, and it comes with the Matrox VS4 card, so it has 4 SDI inputs. In addition to recording 4 ISOs, you can also record additional backups because it has two hard drive systems in place, allowing you to record both the individual feeds and the line cut, and it does it without breaking a sweat. It features video de-interlacing and scaling, frame resizing, and full 1080p streaming capabilities.

It also has an iPad interface which allows you to cut between the different cameras and bring up graphics and lower-thirds. It’s all done wirelessly within its own network, giving you full control of this unit without having to bring a large monitor, or any additional gear.

What’s also interesting about the 1Beyond unit is that it’s powered by both AC and DC, so you could power the unit with a portable battery such as an Anton/Bauer, and carry it around for several hours, and then you’re pretty much in production wherever you are.

The StreamMachine SR4 (starting at $3,595) incorporates the Blackmagic DeckLink Quad Card. It includes Wirecast Studio and an unrestricted iPad app that allows for full computer switching and control. This unit is designed to primarily switch, stream, and record a single multicamera feed. The Stream
Machine combined with the Matrox VS4 card, which has more features such as what is described in the sidebar below.

Paladin

Paladin (Figure 7, below) is a new startup with a different approach to streaming. Its creators come from the video game industry, and they bring a new media/entertainment approach to streaming. The Paladin is a compact unit with a screen and switcher all enclosed in the case, and it works with all the different software out there—Wirecast, VidBlaster, vMix, and so on (although it comes with Wirecast preinstalled). It has 4 SDI inputs and more kinds of wireless capability as it evolves to allow you to stream via mobile. Versatile systems such as the Paladin will be especially important down the road as streaming becomes more participatory. Because Paladin comes from the video game industry, the company will have a more surprises for us in terms of the interactive ways media is delivered.

Figure 7. The Paladin streaming solution, from the back, showing its connectivity versatility.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how small the Paladin is. It looks like a portable game system, but inside the low-profile housing unit itself lies a highly tuned PC equipped with the Blackmagic DeckLink Quad card discussed earlier in this article.

You can purchase the unit by itself for $5,295, but it’s also available in a flypack configuration (Figure 8, below), including the Paladin plus a monitor
in one small case, along with Wirecast Pro 5. The case can also fit two cameras, keyboard, mouse, and cables. The cost is $6,290. 

Figure 8. The Paladin Flypack

Pelican also offers an All-in-One Carry-On Kit that fits two cameras, two tripods, keyboard, screen, mouse, cables, the Paladin, and Mushroom Networks Streamer. This brings your entire studio into one portable case that can fit into your overhead bin. Paladin recommends purchasing either Canon VIXIA cameras or the Canon XA25 as part of your package.

Paladin has created an app called Paladin Producer, available as a free download in the app store that allows for iPad control of Wirecast. In addition there is a Paladin Operator app that works with Wirecast Web Streamer, vMix, and VidBlaster to aggregate and select between iPhones as video sources that will be coming out in the second half of 2014.

Markets

One thing to note is that these portables are designed to address specific markets. Although both offerings are versatile and quite powerful, nothing can replace the features of dedicated gear for large events and venues. That being said, these systems can hold their own at small-to-medium and even large-sized events.

Paladin is targeting prosumers who want to produce professional live streams but don’t have big budgets, big teams, or professional training. Paladin’s target market could include houses of worship and in-house corporate media departments. The company is also focusing on video production companies and organizations looking to stream sporting events, training, and other educational activities. Paladins have even been used for events with close to
1,000 people in attendance.

1 Beyond is also targeting the worship market, as well as distance learning; high school, college, and professional sports; and corporate media, including communications and teleconferencing. In additional to its portable studio bundle, 1 Beyond has also added a PTZ option.

NewTek TriCaster 40

Another low-cost, portable solution that many producers are familiar with is the NewTek TriCaster 40 ($5,995). It takes component inputs, and is geared towards more consumer-oriented or smaller organizations that use consumer-type cameras. Figure 9 (below) shows the setup for the TriCaster 40. It can take 4 inputs, record internally, output to audio source the house mixer and so forth, output to projector to perform an IMAG, has other additional video outputs, and other type of interfaces for live streaming to different platforms.

Figure 9. The TriCaster 40 setup. Click the image to see it at full size.

Livestream Studio HD51

Next we have the Livestream Studio HD51 ($4,999, Figure 10, below). This system uses the well-received and recently updated Livestream Studio software. The new version of Livestream Studio eliminates one of the tradtional knocks on this solution by adding support for other streaming platforms such as Ustream and YouTube Live in addition to Livestream. Overall, the quality is great, and packing top-quality off-the-shelf solutions (such as the Blackmagic DeckLink Studio) into their customized solution. To learn more about the HD51, check out Jan Ozer's recent review. And for an in-depth look at the Livestream Studio workflow, watch this new tutorial.

Figure 10. Livestream Studio HD51

DV/Streamline MC2050

Another system worth checking out is the DV/StreamLine MC2050 (Figure 11, below), which is totally capable for streaming and ranges in price from about $6,999-$8,499. Like the 1Beyond StreamMachine Pro, it's based on Wirecast and a Matrox card, and it has the latest Intel processors built in. It’s fully customizable based on whatever your requirements are.

Figure 11. DV/StreamLine MC2050.

If you’re looking for a portable streaming solution, I’d highly recommend considering something from a reseller, because you know they’ve spent a lot of time testing the equipment, and you don’t have to worry about sub-standard components. The cost is a bit more than what you would pay if you built your own system, but it’ll pay for itself and save you from a lot of headaches in the long run.