Broadcast teams rely on technology to deliver high-quality, uninterrupted live streams to their audiences. From cameras and audio equipment to encoders and networking gear, every piece of technology helps create a high-quality streaming experience. However, an often-overlooked component that can significantly impact your setup’s reliability is the power conditioner.
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What Does a Power Conditioner Do?
A power conditioner helps improve the quality of the electrical power supplied to your equipment. It does this by filtering out electrical noise, regulating voltage fluctuations, and providing surge protection and power conditioning to protect sensitive electronics from sudden spikes.
Unlike a basic surge protector, which only guards against large voltage spikes, a power conditioner actively manages the flow of electricity. It filters out high-frequency interference (also known as electrical noise) that can cause issues like audio hums, video distortion, or even unexpected equipment malfunctions.
To live stream, a power conditioner helps keep all your devices—cameras, microphones, encoders, and computers—running consistently, reducing the risk of disruptions during your broadcast.
How Power Conditioners Improve Audio and Video Quality
If you have experienced buzzing microphones, static in the audio feed, or flickering video, inconsistent power might be the cause. Power conditioner audio benefits include reducing unwanted noise and hums caused by electrical interference. This is noticeable in professional sound systems, where even small amounts of interference can impact clarity.
Video equipment can also benefit from cleaner power. Voltage fluctuations and electrical noise can cause glitches, dropped frames, or unexpected shutdowns in cameras and streaming encoders. By stabilizing the power supply, a power conditioner helps maintain smooth, consistent video quality throughout your live broadcast.
Resi’s Resilient Streaming Protocol (RSP) is designed to keep your streams consistent, even in challenging conditions, but adding a power conditioner to your setup can further protect your equipment and improve performance.
Power Conditioners vs. Surge Protectors
While surge protectors and power conditioners both protect against electrical issues, they serve different purposes. A surge protector guards against sudden voltage spikes, like those caused by lightning strikes or power surges from your utility company. This protection is important, but it doesn’t address the more subtle power issues that can affect your live streaming setup.
A power conditioner not only offers surge protection but also filters out electrical noise and regulates voltage levels. This is particularly important in older buildings or environments with unstable power sources, where fluctuations and interference can lead to poor audio and video quality. By using a power conditioner, you can improve the reliability of your entire streaming system.
Popular Power Conditioners Setups
One popular option for PPC option is the PYLE PCO800. This rack-mountable power conditioner offers eight outlets with individual switches, surge protection, and noise filtering. Its straightforward design makes it easy to integrate into your existing AV or streaming rack, providing both power distribution and conditioning in one unit.
Its ability to filter out electrical noise makes it particularly useful for audio systems, helping to eliminate hums and buzzes that can distract from your message.
Investing in Power Conditioning
Investing in a power conditioner is a simple step that can prevent some frustrating technical issues during live streams. While it might seem like a small addition, power conditioners play a big role in maintaining the stability and quality of your audio and video equipment.
Some live stream locations may operate in buildings with older electrical systems or share power with other equipment like lighting and HVAC systems. These factors can introduce electrical noise and voltage fluctuations that affect your streaming performance. Power conditioners help smooth out these inconsistencies, allowing your equipment to operate reliably, no matter the conditions.
If your organization is using Resi’s streaming platform, adding a power conditioner can complement the platform’s resilience by reducing the likelihood of equipment-related disruptions. To learn more about optimizing your streaming setup, check out our Getting Started Guide.
A power conditioner may not be the flashiest piece of equipment in your live streaming setup, but it plays an important role in maintaining the performance of your AV system. By filtering out electrical noise, regulating voltage, and providing surge protection, power conditioners help keep your cameras, microphones, and encoders running smoothly during live broadcasts.
Whether you’re dealing with inconsistent power in an older building or looking to improve the quality of your audio and video streams, a power conditioner can make a noticeable difference. Combined with Resi’s reliable streaming technology, power conditioning delivers your message clearly and consistently, helping you connect with your congregation both in-person and online.