I'm helping a local church simplify its livestream setup and would appreciate a second opinion before buying equipment. We have a Windows 11 desktop running the latest version of ProPresenter, a Sony camera connected to the tech booth with SDI, and Resi.io distributing the stream to Facebook and YouTube. Our audio is mixed through a Behringer X32.
I'm considering an SDI-to-USB capture device from Magewell. The plan is to connect the camera's SDI cable to the device, connect the device to the PC over USB, and have ProPresenter recognize it as a video source for the livestream. The computer would handle the production and encoding while Resi distributes the finished stream.
Would this be a suitable replacement for our current setup, which uses a separate encoder box and a DeckLink card? Are there any compatibility concerns involving the camera's SDI format, USB connection, Windows 11, ProPresenter, or Resi? Also, can ProPresenter combine the camera feed with audio from the X32 in a single broadcast? I'm a volunteer with limited experience, so I'd like to verify everything before purchasing.
5 Answers
You may not need to use ProPresenter as the main streaming application. OBS can accept the Magewell video input and the X32 audio input, combine them, and send the result to a streaming service. It is free and flexible, although staying with Resi may still make sense if the church already depends on its delivery and reliability features.
A network camera is another possible approach, but since you already have SDI cabling in place, an SDI capture device is probably the more straightforward option. Keep a backup plan for the first few services, because issues such as unsupported SDI formats, USB power or bandwidth, incorrect X32 routing, and audio-video sync are easier to find during testing than during a live broadcast.
Yes, an SDI-to-USB capture device should work for this purpose as long as the camera outputs a video format the device supports, such as the expected resolution and frame rate. Windows and ProPresenter should generally see it as a standard video input. Check the exact Magewell model’s supported SDI formats and USB bandwidth requirements before buying, and test the full signal path before relying on it for a service.
That helps. The goal is to replace the separate encoder and the failed DeckLink card with a simpler connection from the camera to the PC.
The most important thing is to verify how Resi receives the program feed. The capture device only gets the camera into the computer; you still need the streaming software or Resi encoder to combine video, audio, graphics, and encoding. Confirm that ProPresenter can output the finished program to your Resi workflow, and test with an unlisted or private stream before using it during a service.
The X32 can provide audio to the computer over USB, assuming the proper USB driver and routing are configured. You would then select the X32 as the audio source and the capture device as the video source in your production software. Make sure the audio is routed from the desired X32 bus or stereo mix, and check for audio delay so the sound stays synchronized with the camera.
Resi was already configured before I started helping, but I’ll compare its workflow with OBS before changing anything.