In broadcast and television production, traditional cameras (e.g., SDI/HDMI-based) remain widely used. However, their uncompressed video output is unsuitable for direct network transmission due to high bandwidth demands. To bridge this gap, a video encoder is essential - it compresses raw video into a network-friendly format, assigns an IP address, and enables streaming. Selecting the right encoder requires careful evaluation of the following critical features,

1. SDI/HDMI Input Support

SDI (Serial Digital Interface) and HDMI are industry-standard HD interfaces for lossless, uncompressed video transmission, compliant with SMPTE standards. These inputs ensure,
- Zero latency for real-time broadcasting.
- No quality degradation compared to analog signals.
- Broad compatibility with professional cameras and switchers.

Tip,For field production, opt for encoders with ruggedized connectors (e.g., 3G/12G-SDI for 4K workflows).

2. 4G/5G & Dual-Band WiFi for Wireless Flexibility

Reliable streaming demands robust network options,
- 4G/5G Bonding, Aggregates multiple cellular links (e.g., 4G/5G SIM cards) to boost bandwidth and redundancy. This is critical for live events in areas with unstable networks.
- Dual-Band WiFi (2.4GHz/5.8GHz),Minimizes interference and ensures stable connectivity in crowded environments.
- USB 4G/5G Dongle Support, Expands compatibility with external modems for global carrier flexibility.

From MiNEMedia's 5G Bonding Solution, Advanced encoders leverage intelligent traffic allocation across multiple SIM cards to prevent dropouts, achieving seamless 4K streaming even in motion (e.g., sports or newsgathering).

3. H.265 (HEVC) Encoding for Efficiency

While H.264 remains common, H.265 is the future-proof choice,
- 50% lower bitrate at equivalent quality (e.g., 4K at 10Mbps vs. H.264’s 20Mbps).
- Supports 8K resolution (8192×4320) and HDR.
- Reduces CDN costs and bandwidth strain.

Note,Verify decoder compatibility - some legacy platforms may require H.264 fallback.

4. Multi-Protocol Support,RTMP, RTSP, SRT, and NDI

RTMP/RTMPS, The legacy standard for platforms like YouTube/Facebook Live (low-latency ~2–5s).
- SRT (Secure Reliable Transport),Ideal for long-distance contributions over public internet,
- AES encryption for security.
- FEC (Forward Error Correction) to combat packet loss.

Pro Tip, SRT is now favored by broadcasters for its resilience in unpredictable networks.

5. Bonus, 5G Bonding & AI Features

For mission-critical applications, - 5G Aggregation, Combines 5G/4G/WiFi into a single high-speed pipe (e.g., MiNEMedia's bonding encoders).
- AI-Driven Bitrate Adaptation, Dynamically adjusts encoding based on network conditions.

Final Recommendations

- For Field Broadcasts, Prioritize 5G bonding, SRT, and H.265.  e.g., MineMedia 5G/4G Bonding Encoder https://www.minemedia.tv/5G-Bonding/
- Studio/Remote Production, NDI + HDMI/SDI dual inputs.

Over to You!

If you search for a video encoder for live broadcasting, you will come across dozens of different models. Even so, it is necessary to pick the one that can meet your needs. Make sure you consider the above points when choosing a video encoder. In other words, these points will determine the quality of a video encoder. By aligning these parameters with your use case, you'll ensure broadcast-grade reliability and scalability.