Six Tips for Planning a Professional-Looking Live-Streamed Event

5. Consider the Best Live Encoding and Stream Delivery Options

Live encoding

Often referred to as streaming, this is the magic that happens when your encoder takes your video and compresses it into a bit stream that can traverse the Internet.

Many live streaming production solutions, such as Telestream’s Wirecast, have the live encoder built in. There are also some free live encoder tools available such as Flash Media Live Encoder, but this, for example, only does the encoding, and does not have any built-in production capabilities.

During a live stream broadcast, your encoding software or hardware takes the composited video frames from your switcher/source and converts them to a streaming format. In Wirecast, you can stream multiple formats concurrently, and can choose between Windows Media, Flash or QuickTime. The format you choose will depend on the type of streaming server you use to deliver the stream.

The most common web-streaming format today is H.264 Flash. The beauty of H.264 is that it’s a general-purpose format that can be repurposed and streamed to all popular services and devices.

Delivery

If you’re streaming directly to your website, Facebook page, YouTube, or other single destination, then outputting a single encoded stream is sufficient. But if you want to reach multiple destinations or types of devices, such as browsers, tablets, and smartphones, then you’ll need a Content Delivery Network (CDN).

Many CDNs can take your single stream and convert it on the fly to all the formats needed to view the content on multiple devices. When choosing the right CDN for your production, consider whether they specialize in live or on-demand content.

• CDNs that support live streaming are more apt to have a higher quality of service and reliability, as well as concierge style tech support if you opt for premium service tiers.
• Some CDNs are free or offer free trials, and many are pay-as-you-go subscriptions.
• Look for CDNs that cater to your type of production, such as college sports or worship services, since they understand the unique needs specialized applications have.
• If you’re new to streaming, consider a consumer-friendly CDN, such as Ustream, Justin.tv, or YouTube Live. These CDNs offer services ranging from a simple free channel that your encoded stream will play through, to more sophisticated online video platforms that include social media plugins, analytics, and professional support. Visit their websites for more information about pricing and how to set up an account and start streaming.
• If you want a more do-it-yourself or customized solution, you could set up your own streaming server, such as Wowza Media Server or Adobe Media Server.