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Presented by:
Best Practices for Live Streaming
I.Live video workflow
II.
Ten tips for a successful live streamed event
One-to-many live streaming
One-to-many live streaming This workflow and presentation are for one-to-many live streaming, sometimes referred to as “over the top” or OTT streaming.
We’re not discussing here: Secure internal streaming Two-way videoconferencing, like Skype Point-to-point video file transfer for re-broadcast
This presentation is about streaming directly to consumer viewers watching on desktops, mobile devices, connected TVs, etc.
Live video workflow
Delivering live video -- workflow
Video Signal
SDI output from a video switcher is pictured here, but this could be any video source, such as
Built in webcam USB webcam Analog, HDMI, or SDI Camera Output of video switcher
Delivering live video -- workflow
Live EncoderVideo Signal
h.264
AAC
Encoders can be either software or hardware.
The main purpose of the encoder is to take the uncompressed video signal and convert it to h.264 / AAC at a bitrate that can be easily streamed over your internet connection.
Live video encoding workflow Encoder
Encoding settingsBandwidthStreaming serverCDNMultiscreen delivery
Live streaming encoders
Budget: $0 Software encoders, run on Mac or Windows
Ustream Web Broadcaster
Ustream Producer (Free version)
Adobe FMLE
Live streaming encoders
Budget: $500 - $1,000
Ustream Producer Pro and Studio
Wirecast
Teradek VidiU
Live streaming encoders
Budget: $5,000 - $40,000
NewTek TriCaster
Elemental Live
Cambria Live
Live video encoding workflowEncoder
Encoding SettingsBandwidthStreaming serverCDNMultiscreen delivery
Recommended settings
Quality Resolution Video bitrate
HD 1280 x 720 2 MbpsHigh 960 x 540 1.5 Mbps
Medium 640 x 360 1 MbpsLow 480 x 270 400 kbps
Delivering live video -- workflow
Live EncoderVideo Signal
h.264
AAC
RTMP
Internet Connection
Live video encoding workflowEncoderEncoding Settings
BandwidthStreaming serverCDNMultiscreen delivery
Upload, not download speed is what matters.
For HD, at least 3Mbps Example above shows a typical residential grade
internet connection, not enough upload speed for HD streaming.
Low quality streaming can be done on as little as 600kbps
How much bandwidth do I need?
Recommended settingsQuality Resolution Video bitrate Recommended Bandwidth
HD 1280 x 720
2 Mbps 4Mbps
High 960 x 540 1.5 Mbps 3MbpsMedium 640 x 360 1 Mbps 2Mbps
Low 480 x 270 400 kbps 1Mbps Recommended bandwidth is 2X the bitrate you plan to stream at.
Higher quality streaming requires higher bitrates and greater bandwidth.
Delivering live video -- workflow
Live Encoder
Streaming Server
Video Signal
h.264
AAC
RTMP
Live video encoding workflowEncoderEncoding SettingsBandwidth
Streaming serverCDNMultiscreen delivery
Ingest / streaming server
Self hosted vs cloud-based streaming service
Self-hosted Viewers connect directly to your server, can only support a small number
of simultaneous connections Doesn’t have additional features like recording files for VOD, transcoding,
etc. Isn’t an end-to-end solution, still need to build a player, connect with
CDN, etc. Will require a lot of setup and configuration.
Our recommendation is don’t try to do it yourself! Use a service like Ustream.
Delivering live video -- workflow
Live Encoder
Streaming Server CDN
Video Signal
Viewers
h.264
AAC
RTMP
Live video encoding workflowEncoderEncoding SettingsBandwidthStreaming server
CDNMultiscreen delivery
Live video platform including CDN (Content Delivery Network)
Important if you plan to have an audience of any size.
Ensures scalability, reliability, optimized load and buffer times.
Offers additional capabilities like cloud transcoding, instant availability of VOD, analytics about who watches, security options.
Delivering live video -- workflow
Live Encoder
Streaming Server CDN
Video Signal
Viewers
h.264
AAC
RTMP
Live video encoding workflowEncoderEncoding SettingsBandwidthStreaming serverCDN
Multiscreen delivery
Multiple format and bitrate delivery
480360240
720
Audio Only
Multi Bitrate HTTP via Flash / Silverlight
Multi Bitrate HLS
480360240
720
H.264 videoAAC audio
One in, many out model – cloud transcoding
RTMP Servers
HLS Servers
480360240
720Single Bitrate RTMP720 or 1080
Audio Only
Multi Bitrate RTMP or HTTP
Multi Bitrate HLS
480360240
720
Why transcode in the cloud?
Less bandwidth needed at the origin of the stream Only need sufficient bandwidth to send a single high-bitrate stream,
not bandwidth for 4-10 streams of various formats and bitrates
Less encoding power and complexity at the origin of the streamCan stream HD to all devices, even with free software
Takes the guesswork out of encoder configuration Only need to worry about specs for one stream in one format
Live video encoding workflow
Ten tips for a successful live streamed event
1. Test early and test often
Test with the actual gear from the actual location with the actual subject matter
Test early and test often (continued…) End-to-end tests are best Test on-site with your actual bandwidth and your actual
source signal Test with moving images from live cameras Test audio sync Watch your test on all end user devices (desktop, iPads, set
top boxes, etc) Check for any firewalls that could block streaming or
viewing Monitor throughout live event
2. Know your upload bandwidth
speedtest.net – don’t believe what someone told you the bandwidth might be, you need to test it yourself and test it multiple times.
Simply put, more bandwidth is better, but its also about the quality of the pipe: dedicated bandwidth as few hops as possible from encoder to ingest server maximum headroom -- most encoders are variable
bitrate, sending as much as 2x over the “target bitrate”
3. Have great lighting
The first secret to a great live stream is great lighting
With a poorly lit scene, your camera will introduce noise into the video picture
This noise is amplified by the video encoding process, resulting in a low-quality, VHS-like image
4. Have great audio
The second secret to a great live stream is great audio.
A presentation that you can’t see but can hear is valuable
A presentation that you can see but can’t hear is useless Get a direct feed from the PA system, the on-board mic on
the camera will not pick up a sufficient signal
Don’t skimp on audio!
5. Long form content works best for live
Forget what you’ve heard about web video needing to be 2-3 minutes long.
While short form might work well for VOD, live streams less than 20 minutes long will have a hard time attracting an audience. The longer you can stream, the bigger of an audience you will attract.
6. Create a landing page for your event
This isn’t traditional TV where people know where to find the channel.
Create a page that makes it clear this is where people are supposed to watch.
Have content inside and around the player with the context of the event. Schedules, background information, calls to action.
The Ustream channel page lets you do this, or if you are creating your own page and embedding the Ustream player, make sure you have these elements.
7. Promote your event
Promote your event at least three different times and in at least 3 different ways.
One week before, one day before, one hour before, 5 minutes before live
Use email, social media, pre-registration and call attendees
Make sure any influential or high profile participants tweet it from their personal accounts
8. Make it interactive
This isn’t network TV. Take advantage of the flexibility of this unique medium.
Consider behind-the-scenes, interactive chats / Q&A with real-time questions from the audience via Twitter, and shoulder content
Stream as long as possible. Longer streams gain a larger audience and help to generate more social media buzz.
9. Go live early
Start your stream 15-60 minutes early.
Allows you time to make sure everything is working correctly end-to-end
Viewers will show up early and start spreading the word that the stream is live
10. Keep on streamin’
Re-stream as live or make the VOD available ASAP!
The best window of time to gain maximum audience is immediately after the live event ends
Keep it on the same link / page as your live stream
Try Ustream and get in touch!
1. Create an account for free at ustream.tv2. Watch our how-to videos at ustream.tv/howto3. Email us with any questions: [email protected]
Alden Fertig, Product Marketing Manager, USTREAM
Presented by:
Best Practices for Live Streaming