Best practices for live streaming

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: webinar@ustream.tv

Alden Fertig, Product Marketing Manager, USTREAM

Presented by:

Best Practices for Live Streaming