Overview:
We’ve been facing some challenges with our current livestream setup at The Table, which have impacted the quality of our broadcasts. To improve our livestream experience and make it more reliable, I suggest we upgrade our equipment. Below, I’ve outlined the issues with our current setup, two alternative solutions, and my recommendation for the best option moving forward.
Current Setup and Issues
Current Equipment:
- Mac mini M1 (overloaded with 3 displays)
- Display for computer operator
- Splitter for 2 stage TVs
- DisplayLink adapter for confidence monitor
- USB devices:
- DMX lights control
- Scarlett 2i2 audio interface
- Elgato Streamdeck
- Elgato CamLink 4K for PTZ camera
Issues:
- ProPresenter experiencing audio dropouts and occasional crashes
- USB bandwidth overloaded due to high demand on Mac mini M1
Option 1: Sonnet Chassis with Blackmagic DeckLink Duo Card
This is the routing that most churches use in their ProPresenter setup, and it’s recommended by Renewed Vision, ProPresenter’s company/creator. Watch their recommendation here.
(List of equipment can be found here.)
Benefits:
- Stability: SDI provides a more stable video feed.
- Resource Management: Offloads video processing, freeing up Mac mini resources.
- Scalability: Modular setup allows for future upgrades and more screen outputs around the building.
- Flexibility: Should work with various computers.
Considerations:
- Additional cost for chassis and DeckLink card.
- The computer and software plugged in would need to recognize the DeckLink capture card through a specific driver.
Total Cost: Approx. $1,200
Option 2: Mac mini Pro with M2 Chip
Recently released, the new Mac mini M2 Pro now handles 3 native displays. Up until now, this was a limitation in the past for churches, especially when running 3 display outputs, as the Mac mini was limited to 2. Now, this opens up possibilities to keep what we have, as well as better USB bandwidth.
Benefits:
- Power: M2 chip handles more tasks and supports up to 3 displays natively.
- Simplicity: Reduces need for a DisplayLink adapter and simplifies the setup.
- Future-Proofing: More Thunderbolt ports and overall performance improvements.
Considerations:
- Higher initial cost.
- HDMI setup remains, but it’s at its limit for adding more to the setup, good for powering the main level setup.
- Future expansion: For displaying around the rest of the building, alternatives like casting from YouTube or a splitter upgrade can be considered.
Note: We would trade in our current Mac mini M1 computer and put the money towards the cost of the new Mac mini, making this option more affordable compared to Option 1.
Total Cost: Approx. $1,200 (+ the trade-in value of Mac mini M1)
Recommendation
I recommend Option 2: Mac mini Pro with M2 Chip. This solution simplifies our setup, enhances performance, and prepares us for future technological needs. The benefits of a more powerful system outweigh the higher initial cost, and it addresses all current issues effectively.