FieldCast
FieldCast Power Panel One (Panel with 4x FieldCast 2Core SM Hybrid Chassis Connectors)
Regular price $1,541.00Unit price
FieldCast
FieldCast Adapter Two Hybrid (Adapter from FieldCast 2Core SM Hybrid to Blackmagic Studio Camera)
Regular price $642.00Unit price
FieldCast
FieldCast Adapter One Hybrid (Adapter from FieldCast 2Core SM to ATEM Camera Converter)
Regular price $703.00Unit price
FieldCast
Regular price $494.00Unit price
FieldCast
Regular price $419.00Unit price
FieldCast
FieldCast Panel One (Panel with 4x FieldCast 2Core SM Chassis Connectors)
Regular price $674.00Unit price
FieldCast
FieldCast Adapter One (Adapter from FieldCast 2Core SM to ATEM Camera Converter)
Regular price $481.00Unit price
EtherWAN
EtherWAN Hardened Gigabit SFP Module (Single Mode, 20Km, Duplex LC, 1310nm, DDM)
Regular price $421.61Unit price
EtherWAN
EtherWAN Hardened Gigabit SFP Module (Single Mode, 10Km, Duplex LC, DDM)
Regular price $248.45Unit price
EtherWAN
EtherWAN Hardened Gigabit SFP Module (2Km, Duplex LC, 1310nm, DDM)
Regular price $293.63Unit price
EtherWAN
EtherWAN Hardened Active PoE to 24VDC Passive PoE Converter
Regular price $64.98Unit price
EtherWAN
EtherWAN 6' Power Cord (18AWG / 3C Unshielded, NEMA 5-15P Plug, ROJ 2 5/8" Stripped)
Regular price $16.39Unit price
Everything You Need to Go Live
Live production is no longer just for broadcast studios. Whether you're streaming to Twitch, producing corporate webinars, covering live events, or building a multi-camera church broadcast setup, the right gear makes the difference between a choppy stream and a polished broadcast. At IMPULSE, we carry the full ecosystem — from hardware encoders and capture cards to PTZ cameras, video switchers, stream decks, and HDMI/SDI signal distribution.
Buying Guide: Live Production & Streaming
Capture Cards vs. Hardware Encoders
A capture card (like an Elgato 4K60 Pro or Blackmagic DeckLink) plugs into a computer and sends your video into streaming software such as OBS. A standalone hardware encoder (like a YoloBox Pro or Teradek Cube) handles encoding on its own — no laptop required. Single-operator streamers often prefer all-in-one encoders on location; studio setups typically use capture cards paired with a dedicated PC for maximum flexibility and overlays.
Choosing a Video Switcher
Video switchers let you cut between multiple camera feeds, add graphics, and manage program/preview outputs live. Blackmagic Design's ATEM Mini lineup is the dominant choice for sub-$1,000 production — the ATEM Mini Pro adds streaming direct to Ethernet, while the ATEM Mini Extreme adds more inputs and DVE effects. For larger productions, the ATEM Television Studio or Panasonic AV-HLC100 scale up to 8+ inputs with full talkback and aux routing.
PTZ Cameras for Fixed Positions
Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras are remotely controlled, making them ideal for houses of worship, conference rooms, sports facilities, and any situation where a camera operator can't be stationed at every angle. Key specs to compare: optical zoom range (12x vs. 20x vs. 30x), NDI vs. SDI vs. HDMI output, and whether you need IP streaming built in. Marshall, PTZOptics, BirdDog, and Panasonic all have strong PTZ lines in our inventory.
Stream Decks and Control Surfaces
Elgato Stream Deck controllers give streamers tactile buttons to trigger scene switches, sound effects, lower thirds, and overlays without touching a mouse. The Stream Deck MK.2 (15 keys) suits most solo streamers; the Stream Deck XL (32 keys) works better for multi-scene productions. Pairing a Stream Deck with OBS or Ecamm Live dramatically reduces on-air mistakes.
Signal Distribution: HDMI vs. SDI
For runs under 30 feet, HDMI is cost-effective. SDI (BNC connectors) runs reliably up to 300+ feet and is the standard for professional venues. Blackmagic Design, Decimator, and Magewell make converters, splitters, and distribution amplifiers that let you mix signals across your rig without quality loss.
What's the difference between Elgato, Blackmagic, and YoloBox?
Elgato targets gaming and solo streamers — consumer-friendly software, great integration with OBS and streaming platforms. Blackmagic Design targets professional broadcast and production — deeper feature sets, SDI support, color science from DaVinci Resolve integration. YoloBox (by YoloLiv) is an all-in-one streaming device — think hardware encoder, switcher, and monitor in one box — ideal for mobile productions and event streaming without a laptop.
Do I need NDI or SDI for a multi-camera stream?
NDI (Network Device Interface) sends video over standard Ethernet — no dedicated SDI cables needed, just your existing network infrastructure. It's popular in houses of worship and corporate AV. SDI uses dedicated coax cable and is more common in traditional broadcast and cinema environments. NDI is increasingly cost-effective for new installs; SDI is preferred where low-latency and signal reliability over long cable runs are critical.
Can I stream 4K live?
Yes, but it requires significant upload bandwidth (typically 20–40 Mbps for good 4K H.265 streaming) and an encoder capable of 4K output. Most live streaming platforms still deliver at 1080p60 to viewers, so many productions shoot in 4K and stream 1080p for headroom in post. Hardware like the Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K or Magewell Ultra Encode AIO supports true 4K output.
What frame rate should I stream at?
For gaming and fast-action content, 60fps is standard. For talking heads, interviews, and church services, 30fps is sufficient and easier on your encoder and upload bandwidth. Match your camera's output frame rate to your encoder and switcher settings — mismatched frame rates cause stuttering and dropped frames.
How many cameras can a beginner switcher handle?
The Blackmagic ATEM Mini handles 4 HDMI inputs. The ATEM Mini Extreme handles 8 HDMI inputs. For most churches, schools, and small event producers, 2–4 cameras is the sweet spot — a wide shot, a tight shot, and optionally a presenter cam or screen capture. Start small and add inputs as your production grows.
Do I need a dedicated streaming PC or can I use my laptop?
A dedicated streaming PC with a discrete GPU and capture card gives the most stable performance. However, modern laptops with Thunderbolt ports can handle 1080p60 streaming well with USB capture devices like the Elgato 4K X or Blackmagic UltraStudio Monitor 3G. For hardware encoders like YoloBox Pro, no computer is needed at all.
Visit Us in Milwaukee — Building a live production setup and not sure where to start? Stop by our store at 7965 S Main Street, Oak Creek, WI or email sales@impulsemke.com. Our staff has hands-on experience with streaming workflows and can help you spec the right system for your venue, budget, and broadcast goals.
