Live Streaming help

[zak forrest]

a client wants me to setup my camera on a tripod at the back of a room for a fashion show and do a live stream to the internet. i have no idea how to do this, but i assume it's not that difficult. anyone have any advice for me, recommendations on gear? is this something i need a special technician on set for or can i just rent something and set it up myself? i have two epics

thanks in advance =]

[Richard Fox]

To get good results you will need to use a video capture card and Adobe's free Flash Media Live Encoder (FMLE). For distribution you can use ustream.tv. Here are directions for using ustream with FMLE.

[Ryan De Franco]

Having tried to set this up, let me say, it's not easy. You need a capture card with SDI in or your clients can expect youtube 480i level quality.

Good luck.
Ryan

[Richard Fox]

You also have to make sure that your internet connection has solid upstream bandwidth. The rule of thumb for live streaming is that you need 2-3X your total stream rate. For a 640x360 stream you need between 500-700kbps so you would need to have 1.5-2.1 mbps upstream bandwidth. In my experience obtaining adequate upstream bandwidth is one of the biggest challenges.

[Nick Burridge]

Have had to do this a fair bit in the last year or so - started off trying to do it on the cheap via ustream and their free encoder/upload app. Was just awful and unreliable, so now any time I get work like this I always rent a Tricaster, and stream to either Livestream or Justin.tv
Some of my clients are Youtube Partners, which is even better as you can stream direct to their channel (plus it tends to be more stable)

As previously stated upstream bandwidth is a huge factor in a reliable stream - if you find yourself in a place with poor upload speeds you'll need to drop bitrate way way down. I once had to do a 3-camera (switched) stream from the middle of nowhere via a tethered 3G phone (no laughing matter with NZ's pathetic mobile coverage/speeds). Ended up with something like a 320x180 stream running at 110kbps. Nasty quality, but at least it didn't go down.

[Leslie Tan]

Live stream is good, have used it for uploading during peak traffic hours. If you use Procaster, there are certain video capture cards that only works with it, like BlackMagic decklink extreme 3+, or something along the lines, or the Canopus advc 110, but that's sd quality.

[Greg Latham France USA]

Hi Zak,

have had really good results for the past few years doing multicam capturing and livestreaming to one or multiple websites simultaniously
for Equidia, Arquana, France Sire TV and others specialised in horse auctioning (yearlings) and racing. Often more than 10 hrs of program a day !!!

- 1 - we use the blackmagic design ATEM 1 M/E Production switcher (switchible SD/HD w/ HDMI & SD/HD SDI input and output)

- 2 - we then output a clean or program to ether the Grass valley Canopus analog SD to Firewire or the black magic Intensity Extreme to thunderbolt they also have an exellent SDI to H264 USB3 hard encoder

- 3 - Then in to MBP or PC with telestream wire cast $450, for sending to the streaming server and recording locally. we can then add videos, pics, text, lower thirds ect it is layer based so many possibilities...

- 4 - We then use Livestream (arround $300/month) for the streming and for recording on the server (livestream also record your program on the server side for backiup or future webcasts) and more

You can use there embed to intergrate the player on your web page or your clients...

hope this helps (i am not in any way affiliated with any of thi companies i'm just a professional user)

Greg

[Andrew Gentle]

- 1 - we use the blackmagic design ATEM 1 M/E Production switcher (switchible SD/HD w/ HDMI & SD/HD SDI input and output)

Hey Greg, can you tell us more about the Blackmagic Design ATEM line? Do they work well with RED DSMC feeds? Do you need to use HD-SDI or does it work over HDMI as well? I'm looking at getting the $1k ATEM Television Studio for some small scale livestreaming.