In a comprehensive test of three popular church streaming solutions, Churchfront put ProPresenter, Resi Mini, and BoxCast Spark through their paces in challenging network conditions. The results revealed significant differences in how each platform handles common streaming challenges.
The Battle Royale
The first test pitted all three encoders against each other simultaneously on a constrained network. With bandwidth limited to 6 Mbps while each encoder attempted to stream at 4 Mbps, the differences became clear quickly.
ProPresenter’s direct-to-YouTube stream showed immediate issues, with stuttering and pausing due to its minimal buffer time. While initially stable, the Resi Mini eventually hit a buffer wall and stopped streaming.
The BoxCast Spark emerged as the winner, automatically adjusting its bitrate down to under 1 Mbps while maintaining acceptable video quality.
Individual Performance
When tested in isolation, each encoder showed distinct characteristics:
ProPresenter proved vulnerable to network issues, struggling with both bandwidth restrictions and packet loss. Its direct-to-platform approach meant minimal recovery capability from network interruptions.
The Resi Mini encoder delivered excellent video quality but showed limited adaptability to network problems. When faced with bandwidth restrictions or packet loss, it tended to buffer indefinitely until conditions improved.
BoxCast’s Advantage
The BoxCast Spark demonstrated superior adaptability to network challenges. Its HEVC encoding allowed dynamic bitrate adjustment, often continuing to stream at reduced quality rather than stopping completely.
During the 10% packet loss test, BoxCast maintained streaming by reducing bandwidth usage to around 500 Kbps – significantly lower than its initial 4 Mbps target.
Practical Implications
For churches considering streaming solutions, these tests highlight important considerations:
- Direct streaming solutions like ProPresenter offer simplicity but limited resilience
- Hardware encoders like Resi provide quality but may struggle with network instability
- Adaptive solutions like BoxCast offer the best combination of quality and reliability under challenging conditions
The tests suggest that churches should carefully consider their network environment and reliability requirements when choosing a streaming solution, rather than focusing solely on initial video quality or ease of use.
