February/March 2012 (Sourcebook)

Magazine Features

Publisher's Note: Don't Panic!

The Streaming Media Industry Sourcebook is your Hitchiker's Guide to Online Video

The Battle for Tiny Bits

Whether it's video file fragments, pieces of the wireless spectrum or dollars and cents, tiny bits are having a mighty big impact on the direction of online video

The State of Media and Entertainment Video 2012

Cord-cutting is on the rise, the futures of Netflix and Google TV are up in the air, and services like HBO GO are paving the way for a true anytime, anywhere online video universe

The State of Mobile Video 2012

The 2012 Olympics and U.S. presidential election will join advancing technology to create a perfect storm for mobile video consumption

The State of Enterprise Video 2012

Corporate IT managers grapple with the new bring-your-own-device culture, a new take on unified communications, and the rise of ECDN solutions.

The State of the Connected Home 2012

Too many devices and problematic connectivity will continue to hold back connected TV from reaching its full potential—for now.

The State of Education Video 2012

With universities like MIT and Stanford using online video to expand their reach, and with technology and platform vendors investing serious dollars into the educational market, 2012 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for video in schools.

2011's Online Video Acquisitions Set the Stage for an Interesting 2012

Acquisitions and mergers in 2011—including Cisco-Inlet, Polycom-Accordent, Akamai-Cotendo, and Thoma Bravo-Telestream—will have a significant impact on the online video landscape in 2012 and beyond.

Buyer's Guide: Cameras

When it comes to choosing the right equipment for producing online video, it all starts with the camera. DSLR or Camcorder? We help you decide.

Buyer's Guide: Light Kits

Looking to light that CEO talk or customer testimonial? You'll get what you pay for. Here's what to look for in lighting kits, and a chart comparing five leading options.

Buyer's Guide: Microphones

Top-notch audio is at least as important as quality video, and it all starts with the mic. Read on to find out what features to look for when making your microphone purchases.

Buyer's Guide: Live Encoders

When it's got to be streamed live, you can't cut corners. Here's a list of questions to ask when selecting a live encoding solution.

Buyer's Guide: Live Transcoders

What to look for when you need to transcode and transrate more than just one format

Buyer's Guide: Hardware and Cloud Transcoding

Sometimes a software-only solution won't do the trick. Here's what to look for when you need to do your transcoding via hardware or in the cloud.

Buyer's Guide: Portable Capture and Transcoding

Streaming from the field offers enough challenges without having to worry about the transcoding. Here's what to look for in both hardware and software portable transcoding tools

Buyer's Guide: Software Encoders

There are bundled, desktop, and enterprise offerings. Read on to learn which one is right for your needs.

Buyer's Guide: Video Editing Software

From format compatibility to storage integration, here are the issues you need to consider when choosing a video editor.

Buyer's Guide: Windows Production Stations

From the operating system to the graphics card, here is all you need to know to buy the best workstation for your budget.

Buyer's Guide: Metadata

Video indexing and metadata extraction services help viewers find the clips they want to see. Here are key questions to ask before making a purchase.

Buyer's Guide: Player Technology

Since there's no single player that works on all devices, you've got questions to answer before you settle on one for your content.

Buyer's Guide: Media Servers

Your streaming server is the lifeblood of your business. Make sure you pick the right one for your needs.

Buyer's Guide: Content Delivery Networks

No one said choosing a CDN is easy, so here's a guide to the decision-making process. Don't miss our giant CDN flow chart.

Buyer's Guide: Online Video Platforms

With dozens of OVPs in the market, it's harder than ever to select the right one. Here are some guidelines to help you choose.

Buyer's Guide: Transport Protocols

Comparing HTTP, RTSP, and RTMP, with a dash of MPEG DASH thrown in.

Buyer's Guide: Live Streaming Services

Production capability and user experience distinguish services. If you're in the market, look to our comprehensive chart comparing Livestream, Justin.tv, Bambuser, MultiStream, and Ustream.

Building an HTML5 Video Player

Want to roll your own HTML5 player? Here's what you need to know to get started.

How to Maximize Your Metadata

Tips and tricks to make metadata work for you. For generating interest in online video content, metadata is one of the most powerful tools available.

Case Study: Big Truck TV Keeps on Truckin'

Big Truck TV found a market underserved by online video and put the pedal to the metal.

How Talking Points Memo Gets News First with SnapStream

In this case study, the news and politics site shows how SnapStream lets it create video clips from broadcast news programs in seconds.

Editor's Note

Editor's Note: Big Time

Streaming Media is expanding, with a bigger Sourcebook, the new Streaming Media Producer site, and soon a Streaming Media app for iOS and Android.