A live stream encoder is a piece of hardware or software that takes audio and video input and converts it into a digital format that can be streamed over the internet. The encoder processes the video and audio data, compresses it, and sends it to a streaming server. The server then broadcasts the stream to viewers over the internet. Live stream encoders are commonly used to broadcast events, such as concerts, sports games, and conferences, in real time. They can also be used to create live streams of video content, such as TV shows and movies, or to transmit live video feeds from security cameras.