Imagine packing up your church’s video equipment for a Sunday morning service. Cameras are rolling as the worship band wraps up. The pastor steps forward and the live stream is on – but then technology stumbles. In seconds, the screen freezes, leaving your online congregation confused and disconnected. No church wants that.
A resilient encoder is key to keeping the message flowing uninterrupted. Building on the success of the original Resi Mini Encoder, the new Resi Mini Encoder with SDI is built precisely for this mission: It combines server-grade reliability and SDI-compatibility within a portable and affordable device, ensuring your live stream never skips a beat.
Wait, what is an encoder again?
An encoder is essentially a translator for live video. It takes the raw feed from your camera (plus any audio mix), compresses it, and converts it into a digital stream that can be sent over the internet. Without an encoder – whether hardware or software – you can’t broadcast live video online. In churches, encoders are as vital as the camera and mic. They turn what your video cameras capture into a broadcast-quality stream.
Hardware encoders like the Resi Mini have a major advantage over software solutions: consistency and reliability.
A dedicated hardware box is built only for encoding. It offloads all complex compression work onto its own optimized chip, so your church computer can focus on other tasks (or rest easy) without risking dropped frames.
Purpose-built hardware focusing solely on the task at hand avoids interruptions from multitasking. This means fewer glitches, no surprise reboots for system updates, and streams that stay smooth even when your internet hiccups.
To learn more about the differences between software and hardware encoding, check out this blog post.
In short, a hardware encoder lets you offload all of the complex video and audio compression processes onto a device designed solely for that purpose, making every stream more reliable, stable, and resilient.
The Mini Encoder with SDI: Anything But Basic
All this brings us to the Resi Mini Encoder with SDI. Don’t be deceived by its size – it’s truly Mini but Mighty.
About the size of a hardcover book (7.75” (W) x 4.25″ (D) x 1.25″ (H); 1.2 lb), the Mini packs the power of Resi’s resilient streaming platform into a sleek, portable box. Instead of an HDMI port, the new Mini with SDI offers a 3G-SDI input with Loop Out, so you can plug in professional cameras using standard BNC cables. It encodes up to 1080p60 video with two channels of embedded audio (using H.264 compression).
In practice, that means you can capture high-definition worship services with rich stereo audio and stream them without lowering resolution. The Mini even auto-detects your input and selects optimal settings, making setup “plug-and-play” for busy volunteers.
Behind the scenes, the Mini runs on our Resilient Streaming Protocol (RSP) – Resi’s patented live streaming protocol, which uses cloud-based encoding and adaptive bitrates to ensure a lag-free stream. In brief, RSP adds extra time in the stream, so momentary internet blips won’t interrupt the viewer’s experience.
In real terms, your audience’s screen might lag a minute behind the live stage if the network wobbles, but they’ll never see it. That peace of mind is why many churches choose Resi’s hardware encoders in the first place.
Moreover, portability is built into the Mini’s DNA. It fits easily in a backpack alongside a camera and laptop, making it ideal for mobile churches, outdoor events, or taking on mission trips.
And let’s be honest. Church tech gear has a way of getting…well-loved. And that’s why each Mini with SDI ships inside a rugged hardshell case, so it travels safely between venues (think of it like a flight-ready Pelican case for your encoder).
This premium case has custom foam inserts to hold the encoder and its power adapter snugly – a small detail with big impact on gear protection. The sturdy case and solid-feeling aluminum chassis of the Mini signal right away that this is not a flimsy gadget.
For a more detailed exploration of the Mini with SDI, check out these tech specs.
Why SDI Matters in Church AV
You might wonder: Why is SDI such a big deal, compared to the ubiquitous HDMI?
In professional AV (and in many churches’ tech rooms), SDI (Serial Digital Interface) is the standard for good reasons. SDI signals travel over 75-ohm coaxial cable with BNC connectors that lock in place.
Unlike HDMI’s plug, a locked BNC won’t come loose if a cable is jostled during a busy service. Accidental disconnects are a nightmare in a live broadcast – SDI’s locking connectors physically prevent that, ensuring a more secure connection.
Cable length is another crucial factor. HDMI works well for short runs (a few meters) but degrades quickly beyond about 15 meters (roughly 50 feet) at high resolutions. After that, the picture can start dropping out unless you invest in special repeaters. SDI was designed for longer runs: It can carry 1080p50/60 uncompressed over hundreds of feet of cable (up to ~100 m).
In a sanctuary setting, that means the camera at the front of the stage can be dozens of meters from the technical booth with no video loss. If you tried that with HDMI, you’d need costly extenders.
This is why SDI has become the gold standard for broadcasting. In professional productions, where even a single loose cable can lead to critical failures, SDI cables are the trusted choice.
In other words, if your live stream is mission-critical, SDI’s rugged reliability is a huge plus. (Bonus: SDI also avoids all HDMI copy-protection headaches like HDCP, which can interfere with video if devices aren’t perfectly matched – another potential failure point that SDI simply doesn’t have.)
By choosing the Mini with an SDI input, churches get a more robust, camera-friendly setup.
Built for Church Life: Rugged Portability and Ease
Life in church media can be unpredictable: You might film from the balcony one week and a coffee shop lobby the next. The Resi Mini with SDI is built to handle that lifestyle.
Because it ships in its rugged case, you unpack it ready to go – no tweezers needed to fish out tangled cords. The case not only protects the encoder in transit but also elevates the unboxing experience.
Operating the Mini is similarly thoughtful. It only has the ports you need: SDI In and Loop Out (so you can daisy-chain into a local monitor or another device), and an Ethernet jack for connecting to your network. (No confusing HDMI switchers or adapters required.) It’s fanless configuration keeps it cool under load, and the black matte finish looks right at home on any rack or table.
When the service wraps up, it’s simple to pack the Mini back into its case with a couple of cables and head home. At just over 1 lb, you might even forget it’s in your bag – but if you do think of it, you’ll appreciate how much capability you’re carrying. In contrast, setting up a laptop or trying to use a phone for encoding always feels clunky and unreliable in comparison.
For churches that know Resi’s reputation, the Mini with SDI checks all the boxes: It’s affordable, easy to use, and designed for real-world contexts. It’s a great bridge between basic consumer gear and full-blown studio encoders.
And for churches new to hardware encoders, it makes the step up a no-brainer: You get broadcast-grade stability without a steep learning curve or high cost.
Your stream deserves this.
In summary, the Resi Mini Encoder with SDI takes care of what matters most – your message, delivered clearly to your online audience. It serves it up in 1080p60 HD (with rich audio) while you focus on the sermon, the worship, and the congregation.
Thanks to hardware encoding and SDI robustness, your stream can finally keep up with your production. No buffering. No surprise dropouts. Just seamless, dependable streaming, Sunday after Sunday. Ready to go live with confidence? The Resi Mini with SDI is ready to join your tech team – in its hardshell case – whenever you are.
