Solutions for Live Webcasting and Live Video Streaming

Ok, so you want to stream a live music event? Or you want to webcast a corporate meeting, AGM or conference? But you’re not sure how? 

The smartest option is to call the pro’s in but if you’re intent on doing it on your own, we’ve put together a quick list of some of the different software and hardware video streaming solutions out there.

So if you’ve got the hardware side of things already sorted – a mac or PC with a Blackmagic Decklink card or an AJA card for example – then you’ll need some video streaming / webcasting software. 

Telestream Wirecast is a fairly solid ‘pro’ video streaming and webcasting solution and given that it’s from Telestream, you know you’re in good hands. With built in vison mixing it’s a one-stop solution. Just connect your cameras and go. Wirecast also supports lots of CDNs and streaming servers: uStream, Justin.tv, Livestream, Stickam.com, Sermon.net, Brightcove, Akamai, Limelight, BitGravity, and Wowza

they say…

"Wirecast software lets you produce professional-looking live events with just a camera, an internet connection and a computer. Stream or record live internet shows, broadcast breaking news or sporting events, stream live concerts, transmit church services, corporate meetings, lectures and much more"

Boinx is similar to Wirecast. Lot’s of graphics options and it integrates nicely with streaming services such as uStream, Justin.tv, and Livestream

they say…

"BoinxTV is like your personal TV truck without the truck. Combine live camera video, clips, photos, 3D graphics, lower thirds, audio and more to create a stunning recording or live video"

If you’re a bit more hands on and you have an external AV setup already in place, and all you need is the video streaming element, then QuickTime Broadcaster or Flash Media Encoder might be the way forward.

So what higher end ‘all-in-one’ portable live video streaming and webcasting solutions are there?

TriCaster from NewTek has made a stir over the last few years and their newest 850 series certainly looks the part on paper. Combined with the external vision mixer control panel and built in streaming, the TriCaster truly is a multi-camera one-box solution. And NewTek’s TriCaster’s offer one of the most affordable virtual set solutions on the market.

If you want real portability in your streaming box, Digital Rapid’s, TouchStream is an attractive unit. It kind of does what it says on the tin. Touch and stream…

Enough said.

The Niagara range of video streaming encoders from ViewCast offer a lot features and are an interesting alternative to Digital Rapid’s, TouchStream range.

If size matters, miniCASTER could be the answer. Not only is it ‘pocket-sized’, it also supports: LAN, WiFI, 3G and 4G and Satellite technology. Powerful little unit!

Before miniCASTER, LiveU were the first big streaming solution to open up the ‘uplink’ market. And the LiveU streaming units are as portable as it gets – yes you can wear it like a backpack! It works by bonding 3G/4G sim cards. It’s designed for news gathering etc. but could be great for streaming live video of music festivals or events.

So, it’s clear live video streaming and webcasting is here to stay! (Watch out telly…) But it can be a minefield. Not only do you have to get the technical aspect of the encoding nailed, there’s the crucial element of the back-end. Which CDN do I use? Do I want unicast or multicast streaming? Can I stream to iOS devices? What upload speed do I need? Can I stream into Facebook?

We offer a full end-to-end video streaming service to our clients and we approach any live video streaming, encoding and webcasting production with a broadcast sensibility. We use our years of broadcast skills, experience and equipment to offer a robustness and level of redundancy that your production needs. Please contact us to find out how we can help your next live video streaming or webcasting project.

info@trickboxtv.com  

0207 193 9722

Live Webcast and Broadcast on UKTV with Sir David Attenborough – Ask Attenborough: Live

In the wonderful surroundings of the famous Science Museum, London, Trickbox TV and Flint London produced a live webcast featuring Sir David Attenborough, interviewed by Ben Fogle - Ask Attenborough: Live – to mark Sir David’s 85th birthday and to celebrate his 50 years of broadcasting. It’s also to be broadcast in full HD on UKTV Eden on June 27th 2011.

The programme was technically demanding, having to allow for the simultaneous live webcast and the full TX and ISO recording for a future HD broadcast on UKTV.

We used our multi-camera flyaway portable production unit (PPU), The Trickbox® and shot in full HD, 1080i using 4 Panasonic AG-HPX3000 series cameras. We also had some HDCAM VTRs for record and playback plus an EVS from Timeline TV and we used broadcast quality encoders and Flint’s IP uplink truck to get the programme out live to the internet world.

The live webcast embraced social media with live integration with Facebook and Twitter – with the Twitter hashtag #askattenborough – allowing viewers to directly ‘Ask Attenborough’ questions.

See the on demand version of the webcast of Ask Attenborough: Live here:

Here’s the trailer for Ask Attenborough: Live 

More photos from the night:

If you would like to speak to us about our live webcasting and live video streaming services and solutions or would like to find out more information about our multi-camera flyaway portable production unit (PPU), The Trickbox®, please email info@trickboxtv.com or call us on 0207 193 9722.