Cost-Effective Live Event Streaming

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1 Cost-Effective Live Event Streaming A guide to creating a budgetfriendly live streaming setup for broadcasting sports, meetings, training or entertainment

2 Table of Contents Live Streaming Checklist... 4 A Typical Live Stream Might Look Like This... 5 Cameras... 6 Audio... 7 Computer Hardware & Software... 8 Destinations & Hosts... 9 Planning/Cost of Setup Other Typical Setups Setup a Green Screen for Under $ Resources & Contact Welcome to the world of live streaming. Whether you are broadcasting an Internet show, news, sporting event, concert, church service, or corporate meeting, having access to a quality live streaming setup can open up new avenues for reaching your audience and engaging with your community. Starting from scratch can be a daunting prospect, so we have put together this e-book to help you understand the basics, and offer suggestions that will help you to establish a successful, affordable live streaming setup. Learn what tools you need to capture content, and to repurpose it for live streaming and share it with your community and even the world. 2

3 Live Streaming Checklist A handy checklist you can print out to help you get your live stream set up. Camera(s) Webcam ios / Mobile PTZ / Remote control Network IP Camera HDMI SDI Tripod(s) Camera cable(s) Microphone(s) USB Wireless/RF XLR Unbalanced Dynamic Condensor Shotgun Studio Lavalier Microphone stand (if applicable) Microphone cables (if applicable) Computer Windows Mac Processor Cores (4 recommended) GB Ram Discreet GPU Integrated PCle slots USB 3 TB 3 Streaming software & production Switching Graphics IP sources Titles Screen capture Green screen Internet connection Mpbs upload speed Wi-Fi Ethernet Cell / Hot Spot Live streaming platform / Host Free Paid /mo ABR DVR / Recording HTML embedding Multi-device playback Capture card Single-camera Multi-camera PCle USB 3 TB HDMI SDI SD video Output / passthrough? 3

4 A Typical Live Stream Might Look Like This... Mics Live Event Cameras Capture Card Computer - with - Wirecast software Content Delivery Network Platform Viewers 4

Cameras When choosing a camera there are a few things to keep in mind: How complex is the event you are streaming?

Do you need to zoom in or pan left and right?

Here are a few low cost options. DON T FORGET! Tripods, clips, etc.

While not necessarily the most inexpensive option, anyone with an iphone or an ipad can install the free

Webcams are the most affordable, lightest and easiest to use, but often lack fine-tuning controls like zoom or

They will capture the content in high quality, but you may be limited in how creative your cinematography can be.

5 Cameras When choosing a camera there are a few things to keep in mind: How complex is the event you are streaming? Does it require multiple cameras? Do you have people to operate one, or many cameras? Do you need to zoom in or pan left and right? There are thousands of cameras out there, but staying within budget can be tricky. Here are a few low cost options. DON T FORGET! Tripods, clips, etc. ios Devices (iphones, ipads) can be used as HD video sources. While not necessarily the most inexpensive option, anyone with an iphone or an ipad can install the free WirecastCam app, turning an Apple device into a free camera. Webcams are the most affordable, lightest and easiest to use, but often lack fine-tuning controls like zoom or focus. They will capture the content in high quality, but you may be limited in how creative your cinematography can be. Logitech C930e ($130) Microsoft Lifecam Studio ($100) HDMI cameras offer more control and a friendlier user interface, but are more expensive. Additionally, they require a capture card (typically an extra $200 or so) that plugs into your computer, allowing HD video to be processed for direct streaming. The Canon Vixia HF R700 ($280) is a solid, budget-conscious HDMI option. On the lower end of the price range, the HF R400 is just the beginning of a great selection from Canon. Be sure to check out other Vixia line cameras if your budget can support them. The Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro 4K ($190) capture card works well on both PC and Mac and is a great starting point, but by no means is the only option out there. 5

Audio Nothing ruins a great broadcast like bad audio.

audio into your stream, as well as the cameras.

recommendations: Audio Technica ATR2100 ($60) With both a USB and XML output, you can run this

6 Audio Nothing ruins a great broadcast like bad audio. No matter how fancy your cameras are and how crisp your videos come out, a bad audio track will immediately deter viewers. Although most cameras come with built-in mics, an additional external audio source will greatly improve sound quality. Microphones and sound mixers are necessary for large spaces, so make sure that you connect your audio into your stream, as well as the cameras. If you don t already have the necessary equipment, take a look at these microphone recommendations: Audio Technica ATR2100 ($60) With both a USB and XML output, you can run this mic through your sound system or through your computer. Pyle-Pro PDMIC58 ($13) One of the least costly, highest-rated microphones on the market. Shure PG185 Lapel Mic and Wireless System ($299) Highly rated invisible lapel mic. A bit on the pricey side, but unparelleled for educators or presenters on the move! DON T FORGET! Cables, mixers, etc. 6

7 Computer hardware & software Having the right tools is essential for a successful live stream. Quality cameras and microphones will need quality support as well, so including powerful hardware and software to your streaming setup will provide the necessary base for a smooth and clear stream on a consistent basis. An Apple or Windows based computer, whether laptop or desktop, outfitted with streaming software can convert your raw camera footage into compact and streamlined content, ready for immediate upload. Hardware A computer to run the software and act as the main broadcast hub could be the most expensive part of setting up a live stream for your program. If you already have a computer that can be spared for a couple hours, you may be in luck. Whether repurposing an existing computer or buying a new one, we recommend the following specs: Mac or PC Laptop or Desktop High definition display: 1280x720 i7 Intel Processor / Quad-Core 8GB RAM 1GB Video RAM / or integrated Software Your computer needs software that can encode your live stream, and ideally give you some production features. Wirecast is a user friendly broadcast solution that allows for multiple camera switching, adding in text, graphics and slides as well as encoding your stream and exporting it directly to the Internet. Add in the free Desktop Presenter app to include PowerPoint or Keynote presentations along with your live video streams to allow your students to follow along. (Starting at $495) 7

Destinations & hosts You ll also need to figure out where you want to stream your live

It is possible to set up your own video streaming server, so if you have your own

If you don t have this option, a live streaming platform is your best bet.

You might want to consider your bandwidth needs, privacy settings and potential services

8 Destinations & hosts You ll also need to figure out where you want to stream your live content. It is possible to set up your own video streaming server, so if you have your own internal network, you are good to go! If you don t have this option, a live streaming platform is your best bet. It is worth spending some time researching which streaming service works best for you. You might want to consider your bandwidth needs, privacy settings and potential services the provider may be able to offer outside of live stream hosting. Here are just a few options: YouTube.com Not just an on-demand video hosting platform anymore. YouTube offers an easy-to-use live streaming platform as well. Facebook Live A great way to engage with your existing online community. Ustream.tv Plans starting at $99 per month for 100 viewer hours and unlimited storage. DON T FORGET! Copyright & music 8

9 Planning & setup Start simple. You can always add more equipment as you go Consistency is more important than quality. Quality will improve with practice which starts with consistency Upload bandwidth is priority #1. Test your connection regularly. SpeedTest.net Cost of setup Total cost for this setup will be around $1500- $4000+ depending on your computer and camera setup. If you already have a computer, it won t take much to get started! Camera: Free $600+ Capture Card: $140 $300+ Microphone: $20 $600 Wirecast: $495-$995 Computer: $900+ *All prices current as of August 2016 At least 700Kbps upload speed for low quality video At least 3Mbps upload speed for HD video Want it all-in-one? Get a fully configured system! Get more info: Use a green screen! This simple step can revolutionize your broadcast quality. (see page 12 for details) 9

10 Other Typical Setups USB Wirecast Built-in Mic Capture card Wirecast Capture card BASIC SPORTS Lavalier Mics PC Wirecast Wirecast Mixer ios WIFI/CAMERAS STUDIO 10

Setup a Green Screen for under $1,000 Green screens are easy to setup and can be game

You can buy a green screen kit very cheaply or just use green paper, green cloth, or

Light your green screen with construction lights, and put some paper over them to

Use CFLs to be more efficient and keep the heat down.

Again, a soft box is great, or you can just use some more construction lights.

the background Get a camera a $99 webcam will do, or use your ios device (ipad,

11 Setup a Green Screen for under $1,000 Green screens are easy to setup and can be game changers Get a green screen. You can buy a green screen kit very cheaply or just use green paper, green cloth, or green paint. Light your green screen with construction lights, and put some paper over them to disperse the light better for even lighting. Use CFLs to be more efficient and keep the heat down. Simple construction lights or cans work great. <$30 Light your subject. Again, a soft box is great, or you can just use some more construction lights. Try to put 1 or 2 lights in front of them, and 1 behind them to separate them from the background Get a camera a $99 webcam will do, or use your ios device (ipad, iphone or ipod) and our free Wirecast Cam app. Get software that has live chroma key our Wirecast software is just $495, or get more tips about setting up green screens here: watch?v=jc27wzauv94 watch?v=mprveyw-3mo watch?v=d2e601b-ktg 11

12 Resources Trainings & Videos: Case Studies: Community Forum: Contact If you have any questions about this ebook or about live video streaming, don t hesitate to contact us. Telestream is a world leader in live video solutions, and has been in business for over 17 years. We KNOW video Gold Flat Road Nevada City, CA 95959, USA Toll free: Phone: Fax:

Wirecast Example Setups. There are many ways to set up Wirecast. Here are just a few.

Wirecast Example Setups. There are many ways to set up Wirecast. Here are just a few. Wirecast Example Setups Wirecast Example Setups There are many ways to set up Wirecast. Here are just a few. Basic Webcam + computer The easiest way to get started broadcasting to Facebook, Youtube or