Each of these types of video switchers come with their own pros and cons but broadly speaking, hardware switchers offer lower latency and improved stability, while software switchers offer expanded functionality.
This article will outline some of the common benefits and drawbacks of each type of system.
When we refer to video switchers as either hardware based or software based, we’re referring to the fundamental way in which these machines operate.
A hardware video switcher is a device that is purpose built for the job. It comes off of the assembly line at the factory as a video switcher, ready to ingest your video feeds, mix them, and then output a program line cut (and possibly other auxiliary, screen, or multiview outputs). Hardware based switchers don’t perform any other functions other than those they were built for.
A software based video switcher, on the other hand, is a piece of software that runs on a computer. Sometimes software switchers are sold as complete units, the manufacturer having custom built a computer to run their software for you. Many software switching options, however, allow you to use a computer that you may already own or have custom built for the job. This means that while you can use the computer as a video switcher when needed, you can also just use it to run Windows or Mac OS and perform a number of other functions.
Since hardware switchers are built for the specific task of mixing video, they often offer more stability than their software based counterparts. In an environment where reliability is paramount, a hardware switcher may be the best choice.
Another major benefit of a hardware system is that you’ll have much lower latency between your input sources and the final output. This is typically only a consideration when the video switcher will be feeding signal to screens in the venue that accompany the speaker or presentation. If, for example, you want to show the live video feed on screens on either side of the stage, you’ll want to make sure that the audio people hear over the venue PA system is in sync with the speaker’s lips on the screen, and a low latency switcher may be necessary.
Often times, live streaming workflows include video sources that come in different formats (resolution and frame rate). Most hardware switchers won’t accept multiple formats so you’ll be forced to used signal converters to make your sources compatible with the system. This adds cost and fail points to your workflow.
The biggest downside to using a hardware based system is that they typically have reduced functionality compared to competing software based options and often require additional components to do things like video roll ins, graphics overlays, or recording.
Since hardware switchers are built around specific hardware, they often don’t offer the ability to expand your system later on if your needs grow (this applies mainly to lower cost options; when you get into the world of hardware switchers in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, expansion options are available). By contrast, software based systems can often be expanded at a relatively low cost.
Software based video switchers tend to offer a much wider range of out of the box functions than hardware based switchers. The top software switcher options on the market will allow you to ingest multiple video feeds in a variety of formats, add video roll ins, mix audio, build complex graphics with multiple overlay channels, record, and stream to a variety of platforms all on a single computer with a single operator.
Because a software switcher is run on a computer, expanding or improving the system can often be done by adding capture cards or other capture devices, or replacing old components like the CPU or GPU.
Because software based switchers run on computers, they are prone to software, OS, or device driver issues that hardware based systems never have. That being said, stability is often a very large focus for switching software so as long as you keep your computer and devices up to date, stability issues occur infrequently.
Software based video switchers often cost more than lower end hardware systems because the cost involves both the computer to run the software as well as the software itself. However, while the overall price tag is often higher, the cost to functionality ratio typically favors software switchers.
