Generative research for live streaming hardware encoder

Reduced risk and increased development speed for an expensive-to-develop product

Marketing video for the BoxCast Spark live streaming encoder

Overview

This project began the long process of developing the next generation of a live streaming hardware encoder. As the dedicated UX researcher for this effort, I:

  • Assessed the ambiguous and complex goal of building a new, amazing encoder for our users and executed a research plan that would best support my team’s gaps in knowledge and product deadlines

  • Conducted iterative rounds of qualitative interviewing and distilled 25 hours of research intro 250 addressable insights for the embedded hardware team.

  • Trained the embedded hardware team on how to conduct their own research to increase the company’s UX capabilities moving into evaluative testing.

Through continued collaboration, we developed a deep, shared understanding of our users and the new encoding product, speeding up delivery, increasing clarity and reducing risk for this new encoder.

Goals

  • Gain clarity, make a key strategic decision, and provide direction to build and release new hardware that improves the BoxCast user experience.

  • Identify causes of frustration for users

  • Understand the variations in the problems users face to inform solutions

  • Evaluate opportunities for delight, fun, and ease to add value to the BoxCast service as a whole

Not familiar with live streaming? No problem! Check out some Live Streaming Basics at the bottom of this page to get some more context on this case study.

Role

User Experience Researcher

Hardware Live Streaming Encoder

Technology

Qualitative Interviewing, Findings Synthesis, Insight Generation, Workshop Facilitation, Repository Creation

Responsibilities

Embedded Hardware Agile Team: Product Manager, Engineering Manager, Hardware Engineers

Product Marketing and Sales

Company Leadership: Executive Board, UX Management

Stakeholders

4 months of continuous research

2.5 years in total to launch the product

Timeline

Challenge

BoxCast offered two different hardware encoders to customers before this effort. A low cost, somewhat outdated model and a high cost professional level device.

This offering left customers longing for modern features at a reasonable price, and often caused customers to purchase an encoding solution from a competitor.

Left: BoxCaster, $399 | Right: BoxCaster Pro, $3,495

Approach

1

  • 3 iterative rounds collecting 25 hours of qualitative interviews

  • Shared over 250 insights with the team over two virtual sessions

2

Qualitative Interviews

Findings Workshop

  • Met for two days in person to discuss and ideate over findings

  • Reviewed findings to generate ideas around what a new encoder could be

3

Paper Prototyping

  • Rapid iteration allowed team to align on rough physical specs and necessary ports

  • Aligned around a paper prototype, the team jumped to technical design in record time

Impact

This generative study was just the beginning. Insights collected during this study were shared company-wide and showed the value of early generative research.

100+

insights collected and shared to improve exist and future releases of hardware and software

⬇

decreased risk by focusing on users problems and competitive feature in key markets, ensuring fit

+

Changed team’s work process to include iterative research and conduct research independently

⏭

increase focus on real user problems and shared team understanding allowing for faster development

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Live Streaming Overview

Not familiar with live streaming or hardware encoding? No problem! Here’s some basics to provide some context around this research and show why it is more complex than a few rounds of interviewing about a product.

  • Encoding is the process of compressing large video files for easier uploading to the internet. Broadcasters who use video cameras in their live streaming setup need either a hardware or software encoder for the job.

  • A hardware encoder takes a feed from your camera and audio sources or your video mixer into a physical box. A hardware encoder connects directly to the internet to send the feed.

  • For users who live stream frequently using a software encoders means setting up from scratch each time they broadcast an event. The extra time, sometimes up to an hour, can be a burden on a small production team.

    With hardware encoders, a live streaming setup is more repeatable. The equipment can stay in place, connected and automate many parts of the process. Combined with pre-broadcast scheduling, hardware encoders simplify user’s lives.

  • People and organizations that stream regularly. The primary customers for this particular hardware encoder are churches who stream at least once a week.

Single Camera Live Streaming Set Up Diagram

Diagram of a single camera live streaming setup up using the Spark hardware encoder

The Spark encoder is in the middle with inputs from the camera, sound and internet (not pictured) to send the feed to viewers on platforms like Facebook and YouTube.

Source: https://www.boxcast.com/platform/spark

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