What To Expect From Your Streaming Video Software

If you are planning to live stream, then there are some decisions which you will need to make sooner or later.  One of the most important decisions: the streaming video software you will use.

With live streaming becoming increasingly popular it can be difficult to try and navigate your options.  But in this post will will break down exactly what you should be looking for in your video streaming software, starting with the most important of all: the cost.

Choosing A Cost Effective Option

If you are new to video streaming, then opting for a free option like Adobe's Flash Media Live Encoder (also known as FMLE) may seem incredibly attractive.  Adobe is a reputable so the product they have put out will be great – right?

Not so much.  FMLE support a number of popular codecs, bitrate encoding and plugins, all of which are important and are features you should expect from your media streaming software.  But the features which are included with this free software are significantly less than other devices, which takes us to our next point:

Choosing The Right Features

Cost is one thing, but unless the product has the features you need to produce captivating video footage, your efforts will result in very limited views. 

Let's say that you have a number of media streaming devices which include a mobile phone and tablet.  You will want to have a software which is able to work not only on your PC, but which is also supported on almost every iOS and Android device on the market today.  You also will want to choose a software which:

·         Can combine available networks so that a connection between it and a external MiFi can be supported

·         Takes and accepts footage in HD

·         Allows you to bond two cellular connections in a single smartphone

It is also beneficial to find a product which can bond a phones' internal 3G or 4G with an external 3G or 4G so you can enjoy a quick and efficient uplink.

A Focus On Reliability

As touched upon when we talked about Adobe's FMLE above, the software is not very reliable.  It is prone to crashes and users are often left disappointed with the results.

If what you want is to take live footage and to stream it online or on the television on a regular basis, then it is important to invest in a product which is known as being reliable.  When looking into your options, start off by seeing how long the vendor has been in business, what their goal is between the many different products they make and what qualifications they may have.

Once you have found what you believe to be a reliable vendor, do a quick background check (i.e. read reviews online and check in with the Better Business Bureau) and then delve deeper into their product line.  If everything checks out and the price is right, that is a good indication that you should invest in their product so that you can take superior live streaming video that will get you more views and attention online and elsewhere. For more information on Streaming Video Software, visit: http://www.liveu.tv/LU400

How To Stream Live Video Like A Pro

Live streaming an event takes a lot of work.  You have to consider the content, the cameras, the lighting, the audio and the content.  But apart from those basic considerations (which are difficult enough to configure on their own) creating a fantastic stream live video takes a lot of patience and agility.

Tip 1: There Is More Than One Way To Live Stream Video

This may be good news to some and bad news to others, but the truth is that there is more than one way to live stream video.  What you have to figure out is which solution is best based on the event and the audience you are trying to reach.  After that you need to also weigh:

·         The cost

·         The quality

·         Possible failure points

Tip 2: Use More Than One Camera

The best stream video is taken when two or more cameras are shooting the action.  Then, if you are using multiple cameras, make sure that you use a video switcher.  These devices allow you to create a more visually dynamic show which will keep your audience interested and captivated.

How to choose a switcher: Inputs mean a lot when it comes to your video switcher.  You may think that you will only use three cameras, but you may need additional inputs such as:

·         Extra GoPro camera positions

·         Video playback sources

·         Animated backgrounds

Switchers can fall into one of the following two categories:

a) Hardware-based switchers

b) Software-based switchers

Hardware-based switchers run on dedicated boxes and have their own control surfaces.  A software switcher runs on a laptop or desktop computer and includes converters or video capture cards.  They also tend to be more cost effective and offer fantastic production value, but the best switcher for you is whatever you feel the most comfortable with.

Tip 3: Use The Right Unit For Your Event

There are companies which specialize in producing live stream cameras for a variety of different purposes.  Some units are ideal for field shots and are compatible with any camera while others units will be more cumbersome and expensive yet offer more options and functionality.

Regardless of the unit you choose, you will want to find one within your budget that best satisfies the following factors:

·         The unit should be lightweight

·         The unit should be easy to use

·         The unit should ideally offer cloud-based management and video distribution for quick and efficient live streaming

·         The unit should be compatible with numerous cellular links including Wi-Fi, 4GLTE/3G, WiMAX and HSPA+

Tip 4: Don't Forget To Encode The Video

There will come a point when you will need to encode your video into a live streaming format.  This often happens at the venue where the event is taking place.  There are free software encoders, and then there are paid hardware encoders which may cost anywhere between $10,000 to $50,000.

Software encoders are less dependable, but they are often free and are what beginners and smaller video production outfits use.  If you are serious about live streaming and want to achieve optimal results, however hardware encoders are the best way to achieve a flawless webcast. For more information on Stream Live Video, visit: http://www.liveu.tv/lu200