Capture cards for h.264 live streaming

[m4Rio]

Hello,

I need to set up a live streaming chain for standard definition video, preferrably encapsulated in MPEG-2 Transport Stream. I know it's a more complex matter than streaming recorded content and I assume I can't just use any capture card.

Up to now, it looks like Blackmagic Intensity Pro is the winner, but I would like to know if anyone has had good experience with less expensive cards. I have a Pinnacle Studio at hand, but I don't think I can use it for live streaming.

Does anyone know of good competitors?

[adrianvarga]

My personal experience has been that capture cards cheaper than that tend to have their "unique" reliability problems. You should probably check out Viewcast's Osprey cards, but the Intensity Pro seems like a good choice for your needs (haven't had a chance to use it though).

[poisondeathray]

Blackmagic can only capture MJPG or uncompressed . You would still need to setup an interface to feed it to another h264 encoder (maybe though graphedit) for live streaming

[m4Rio]

Thank you both. I have tested Pinnacle Studio Moviebox and it looks like it would be hell to depend on it. It looks like it will be a better deal to settle with a standalone dedicated surveillance DVR (probably a Latin American version of this one).

I might still have some problem with its software, though. It looks like all those DVRs stream video via http and only support viewing through IE (and our clients will probably be Macs).

I better start practicing with graphedit

[poisondeathray]

I would ask for more information from "Dark Shikari" at Doom10 forums on setting up live streaming with x264. He has worked in the industry, is very knowledable about both hardware and software alternatives, and I think is available for consulting/contract work