Review: LiveU Solo | Provideocoalition
By Jim Bask
A few weeks ago I was given the LiveU “Solo” live streaming device to test and review. They told me the $995 device was easy to use, reliable, and high quality, so that’s what I set out to test.
The device itself is a 5.5″x 4″x 1.5″ box made of what feels like aluminum and plastic that sits in a durable fabric carrying case with molle straps on the outside and an adjustable/removable belt clip. It weighs about 3x more than my Pixel XL in its Moment case (if I had to guess) and feels pretty rugged. That being said, I wouldn’t drop it without clenching every muscle in my body instinctively. In the case it might do alright.
On the left side of the device there is a USB 3.0 port (for using an LTE dongle), Ethernet port, and a DC port for charging/powered use. The right side has an additional USB port and the HDMI-in you’ll plug your camera (or switchboard, console, whatever) into. Along with the Ethernet and WiFi capability, the two USB ports allow for a bonded cell connection for use in the field. When using the “fat” cell connection I got about 5Mb/s, on WiFi I got 6Mb/s. I didn’t test Ethernet, but I assume it’s on par with those numbers. The device tells you at what bitrate you’re broadcasting at on the front LCD screen as you go.
Using the Solo is relatively simple with little technical knowledge needed; I was able to do everything from my cellphone. After setting up an account with LiveU and registering your device, all you need to do is plug in your camera (or whatever you’ll be streaming with) and select your destination via the online portal where you registered your device….[continue reading]