1. Introduction
The benefits of streaming are that you are able to transmit the data in real time as if it were being downloaded; there is no wait for buffering. This allows viewers to watch the video as it comes without having to download the file in its entirety first. This also means that the file is only temporarily stored on the device and cannot be copied or viewed without the person accessing the file at that time. Live streaming is popular in business settings as it allows remote meetings and enables expatriates to stay connected with events in their home country. A new use for streaming technology is Internet TV, where viewers can tune into live broadcasts from all over the world, and this is becoming increasingly popular in recent years.
Event live streaming services are designed to take the hassle and frustration out of live event video production and online broadcasting. By implementing a cloud-based ecosystem for transcoding, recording, and streaming live events, you can be sure that your attendees, fans, and customers can watch and interact with your event at any time on any device. Today, live event streaming services allow content owners to deliver a high quality, reliable broadcast without requiring an in-house broadcast infrastructure. At its most basic, streaming means sending audio and video files in a continuous flow over the internet. The player, on the other hand, will decode and play the audio and video. A major plus to using live streaming is you don’t need to worry about files taking up a huge chunk of space on your device. This is because the information is automatically discarded by the media player once the stream ends.
1.1 What are live event video streaming services?
‘Live’ video can mean anything from streaming a sporting event to a music festival or an interview with a famous personality. Each of these events may have a vastly different audience and application of the streaming technology, and the solution will need to be tailored to suit the specific event. This is the first point to consider, as there is a vast array of live event video streaming services available that cater to different types of events.
Some services provide their users with live event video streaming services that allow them to broadcast an event in real-time to viewers from around the world. This gives an opportunity to extend the reach of the event outside of the confines of the physical venue, location, or country, which can be an important factor for events with a limited capacity or that are aiming to create a global audience. There are a variety of live event video streaming services that cater to various different audiences and events of different scales.
1.2 Benefits of using live event video streaming services
High Volume, Low Cost Webinars – With the recent surge in webinars, live event video streaming services have provided an easy transition for companies looking to hold internal or public webinars at a fraction of the cost of what it would be to use a dedicated webinar service. Many of the same video streaming platforms used for live events can also be used for webinars.
Viewer Interaction – Whereas attendees to a live event are a captive audience, the same cannot be said for an online viewer. This presents an interesting opportunity and challenge to event organizers and marketing staff. An online viewer may have a myriad of distractions, so holding their attention is paramount. During live video streams, viewers are able to communicate with the event in the form of chats. Moderated chats can be extremely beneficial by providing a direct link between viewers and event coordinators. A great way to hold audiences and possibly draw future attendance to events is to hold raffle and prize draws.
Global Reach – By utilizing the power of the internet, an event organizer can reach audiences not only in their own country, but potentially anywhere in the world. Cost-effectively speaking, people from other countries can not only view the event at a fraction of the cost of attending in person, but they can do so from the comfort of their own home. This also opens up additional revenue in the form of Pay-Per-View.
When compared to the costs of organizing a live event, live event video streaming services can be extremely affordable. By choosing an entire platform or just a channel to host their content, event organizers can choose between pay-per-view and subscription methods. Whichever method you choose, live event video streaming services have many options that can be configured to maximize revenue.
2. Key Features of Live Event Video Streaming Services
A media client, a computer with a sound card and a video card, that has software that can uncompress data and cause the data to be played or displayed. The software will use a buffer such as RealVideo, as live video can be disrupted by network latency (as the information still needs to be buffered). Latency is the time between the actual time something takes place and the time at which the event is viewed or heard. A high amount of data loss will result in the show being distorted. A media server can stream digital video and audio to set-top boxes, PDAs, IP-based phones, and various other multimedia devices.
High-quality video streaming Live event streaming services sequence the files used to make movies into a continuous stream of data that is played in real time by the end user. Video and audio data is compressed using a codec. Compression reduces the bandwidth required to stream the data, as the file is larger than the bandwidth most people have. Codecs use complex algorithms that can compress the video and audio, decompressing it on the client’s end. This is because a codec is just an encoder/decoder for a digital video signal. The video and audio are then delivered to a server. The server distributes the audio and video data to multiple clients at the same time. This is called multicasting. Any given data stream is first sent to a specific multicast IP address, and then the end users or clients can tune into that stream or data.
2.1 High-quality video streaming
Increasing usage of the internet as a delivery platform for multimedia and video content has prompted many to seek information on the existing practices of video webcasting. The initial stages of the project were more general research and understanding-based. This involved understanding the technology used in video webcasting. This included initial brainstorming, and a great deal of time spent reading articles and researching information relating to video webcasting technology. The project then moved towards the identification and analysis of existing practices of video webcasting. There are several software and systems available which solution providers use in order to provide organizations with video webcasting capabilities. These include technologies from Microsoft, Oracle, and numerous other vendors. At a higher level, solution providers often use off-the-shelf webcasting software such as WebEx and Microsoft Live Meeting. The choice of technology and software affects factors such as the video quality, the price of data transfer, and potential to reach wider audiences.
2.2 Real-time audience interaction
One of the best ways to interact with your audience is through online polls. With the users having the ability to participate in the poll and see the results in real time, you are able to get truly honest opinions and feedback while understanding what your audience is thinking. A good Question and Answer system is vital for consumer satisfaction. By having a system that is integrated directly into the video player, there can be a two-way communication system between broadcaster and viewers. Viewers can ask questions or get more information on certain topics, and the broadcaster can pull in questions he thinks are relevant to answer on the broadcast. Offering the ability to comment on the video is a simple way to get feedback from your viewers. A more recent development has been the ability to click on links within the video to get more information on that topic. This is especially useful for advertising sponsored by the broadcaster or additional information on certain topics.
Due to the average 20-second delay of traditional streaming, streaming live, especially live webcasting, has been greatly limited. One of the biggest development areas for many live event streaming services has been the decrease of latency of the stream.
2.3 Multi-platform compatibility
The best live event video streaming service should make your live event available to every major mobile device worldwide and a computer. Confirm that your service possesses a wide range of device support. Unfortunately, if your live event video streaming service is limited to only a few kinds of devices, you will lose audiences and this will adversely affect your company’s objectives. As many mobile device and platform choices as possible should be supported. High-quality video streaming across a wide range of platforms and devices is another important consideration. Servers are only capable of doing the best job of streaming video if their software can detect a user’s device and deliver the suitable version of live event videos. High-quality video streaming is a responsive method and automatically changes the quality of video to a lower or higher setting. This enables each viewer to watch the live event without buffering interruptions. Some great live event video streaming services provide a recording feature. You should be able to record your event and receive a copy of it, thus enabling distribution of the recording to those who missed the live event. For a longer-lasting copy of the event, an ‘on demand’ option is available. The event recording will be placed on the server and can be viewed over and over again for up to several months. An ‘on demand’ live event video streaming service is perfectly suitable for repeat viewing and for that company’s next marketing effort.
3. Live Stream Production Process
The live stream production process is the method by which a live stream is planned, produced, streamed, and afterwards archived. This method is quite similar to the process of creating a video. Live stream production is typically split into four categories. These categories include pre-production planning, equipment setup and testing, live event coverage and streaming, and post-production and archiving. During pre-production planning, the content of the live stream is decided upon. Things to take into consideration include the target demographic, the purpose of the stream, and the content itself. It is beneficial to create a run sheet detailing what will occur and when throughout the stream. This will serve as a guideline during the stream itself. Finally, selecting the right location to broadcast can be important. You should be streaming from a well-connected location that is quiet and good-looking and that has permission to stream at that location. This is to prevent disconnection issues, background noise, and any interruptions during the stream.
3.1 Pre-production planning
The second step is to define the goals of your event. A lot of event organizers initially consider success as filling as many seats as possible, but in a lot of cases, the cost-to-profit ratio can be better with a smaller audience that is more likely to engage in the content you provide. By having set goals, you can cater the event to what you would really like to achieve. With the recent advances in interactive web media, you can achieve audience participation in an online event that would be impossible in a live setting. Lastly, setting a budget can directly affect all future decisions and give you an idea of what kind of return is required for the event to be a success. An enterprise business would have different reasons for video streaming a sales meeting compared to a small NPO dispatching information to its volunteers.
The first step in producing a live video stream is to know who your audience is and figure out the best way to reach them. You must decide on who you want to attract to the event and whether or not the event will be available to the general public or a select group of people. Keep in mind that decisions made here can affect the direction of your event and cost in the long run. By knowing whom your audience is, you can tailor the event to interest them and you will be able to get a better idea of whether or not there is a demand for the event. If there is a chance that only a small number of people would be interested in your event, you can also consider alternative possibilities for on-location video streaming. For select audiences, it might be more cost-effective to provide the video on-demand after the event has occurred.
3.2 Equipment setup and testing
Equipment Test: Next, we will test all of our audio and video equipment. We will do this by connecting all the equipment and setting up a small test area where we can record footage and sound and monitor the final output. The purpose of this test is to ensure all of the equipment is in working condition and to get the best possible settings for both audio and video at the test location. We will do this test as close as possible to the actual date of the event. This is to ensure that the audio and video settings we get are applicable to the actual event. Settings may vary depending on the environment. For this reason, it would be best if we were able to take a look at the live event location and assess the environment before the date of the actual event.
Connectivity Test: We will test the internet connection that will be used at the event. If a wired connection is not available, we will bring our own internet connection to the event. We will test the connection speed with speedtest.net to ensure the upload speed is sufficient for live streaming. The recommended upload speed is 1.5 times the bit rate that we plan to stream at (i.e. upload speed of 1500 kbps for a 1000 kbps stream). If the upload speed is not fast enough, we will have to reconsider streaming at a lower bit rate. This is also the case for wireless internet connections. If the conditions of the test are not ideal, we will have to consider alternatives such as finding a different location with a better internet connection, using a different internet service provider, or using a different method of internet connection.
Before the day of the event, we will test the equipment thoroughly to avoid any technical issues at the live show. This step is vital for smooth live streaming. We will set up cameras, microphones, mixers, and video switchers at the testing area to simulate a live streaming environment. These are the following tests that we will carry out:
3.3 Live event coverage and streaming
A CD Rom or DVD solution with a future in event streaming being recorded offline, this type of video received is often aimed at personnel and general reference at a later time, not needing to interfere with the live event. An example of this was some training simulation software Acer provided for the Australian Defence Force.
Video on demand with ambitious web technology is a solution that allows an event to be streamed or downloaded at a later date. Typically, streamed events are saved to a file and uploaded to a web server where that file is available to the viewers to stream, fast forward, rewind, and pause using a web browser. An interactive web interface is sometimes designed around the streamed event video to create a richer experience. Acer has recently produced a series of sailing technique videos for the Australian Yachting Federation. In this case, the streaming event was recorded offshore at a beach where the equipment setup was not dissimilar to a live broadcast event. Up-to-date video analysis was needed and not practical to do live at the event; therefore, it was decided to record the event and produce a series of streams targeted at the different techniques being taught.
Web casting is becoming an increasingly more popular form of streaming due to the ever-increasing speed and ease of access to the internet in various forms. In particular, webcasts can be targeted towards specific parts of the globe contrasted to TV where zapping power will often mean a viewer will skip past an event that is not heavily marketed or during a time when the event is not widely known about. Webcasts are often an additional promotion tool that is budgeted into marketing of an event.
Big screen imaging is designed to display the streaming event live on to a projector screen, either for the whole event or in a highlighted context such as live race commentary at various F1 circuits around the world. Displaying a high quality image is paramount and is generally done through the use of large venue and DLP projectors. A recent example of a big screen imaging project Acer had was for the launch of the Ferrari F60 at Mugello.
Live event coverage and streaming is where the earlier stage planning and equipment setup will be put to the test. The four main outputs of the live event video stream production process are big screen imaging, web casting, video on demand, and CD Rom/DVD. Designed to cater to the different needs of the client, each has a particular production process and required end result.
3.4 Post-production and archiving
More complex requirements include multiple sources from a video camera or PowerPoint slides. This is a common scenario in medical or university/education-based events. The multiple video sources are recorded using a “vision mixer” for post-event editing. Content such as video and PowerPoint are then converted to a format suitable for on-demand viewing. As with live-streamed content, the edited video files are then uploaded to a streaming server, integrated into a web page, and protected with user/password or domain filtering restrictions.
There are cases when event organizers wish to record a live stream for on-demand viewing at a later date. Essentially, this is done in the same way as a live stream where the feed is sent to an encoder and streaming server. Any on-screen presentation such as PowerPoint slides, web browsing, and video playback can also be recorded in separate files for post-editing. When post-production is wrapped up, the indexed video files are then uploaded to a streaming server, integrated into a web page, and protected with user/password or domain filtering restrictions.
Typically, video streaming is a “real-time” broadcast. It is sent from an encoder to a streaming server, allowing delivery to desktops, laptops, and netbooks. With the advancement of mobile technology, it is now possible to send video from a smartphone and tablets. Those watching a live event can switch between watching the live stream and the transition to recorded segments.
4. Choosing the Right Live Event Video Streaming Service
The three possible avenues for streaming a live event are deploying your own dedicated server using a service like Wowza, using CDN live video streaming services provided by a content delivery network, or by using a live event video streaming service provider. The first option requires a high level of technical expertise and a good understanding of server technology. You will need to buy or rent a dedicated server, and the video will need to be encoded to a format that is supported by a wide range of players, with the option of a live stream being available. A Wowza Media Server system is the best option for this method, where you can start and stop live events and be assured that the video can be saved to the server for on-demand playback at a later date. You will need a live encoder to encode the video to a streaming format, and this can then be played through a player which you can embed into your website. This is a good solution if you want full control over your streaming, and a good solution for web radio stations where you want to maintain a live stream with a DJ and various shows.
4.1 Assessing your streaming needs
Most importantly, before looking into the offerings of the live video streaming providers, you need to determine exactly the requirements for your event. The key decision to make is on a scale from wanting to incorporate live streaming into your event to simply allowing those to view it. If it is more the latter, a simple webcam and an internet connection could be all that is required. If you are broadcasting an event to the world, you may want to consider enlisting the services of a professional to do the task for you. They will provide multiple set-ups, a far better quality of stream, and will take a lot of the stress of the process away from you. Equally, what do you want your viewers to see? Was an event limited to certain invitees only? If so, you may only want to stream certain parts of it. Otherwise, you could be running a festival with bands playing on different stages at similar times. It is important to have a clear idea of how you want your event to come across on the stream. A reliable internet connection is critical to any live video streaming. Always consider the quality of the connection at the venues. Often, it is difficult to find an appropriate technical solution at the cost you wish to pay. In this case, it may be more trouble than it’s worth, and a decision to circumvent streaming may have to be made.
4.2 Comparing pricing and packages
Despite the fact that streaming is more popular than ever, the ability to stream live events and shows has often been meticulously restricted by the high cost of streaming and a lack of technical knowledge. This has forced the primary consumers of live events – churches and other religious organizations, education providers, and SMBs (small to medium-sized businesses) – to seek out other methods of hosting events. These methods include physical location rental, outsourcing event hosting to local or national television, or in the worst case scenario, cancellations. Today, it is highly accessible for these organizations to discover a suitable solution for hosting live events. This is an analysis of different methods for live event streaming to consider.
Live event video streaming services are many and varied, but they all have some element of “cloud streaming,” which provides remote access to live and recorded audio and video content. In reality, all streaming involves a certain degree of “cloud hosting.” Streaming video and audio is done by millions of businesses and web users, for a variety of purposes, and the viewer is usually using streaming services in some form several times per week.
4.3 Evaluating customer support and reliability
The SLA is a record showing any given supplier’s comprehension of a client’s needs. An agreement is mutually executed; comprehends the administration being given, measures and desires for the administration being given, and responsibilities, for example, compensatory terms and agreement end. It would be different to the sort of understandings achieved amongst suppliers and customer, yet it is essential to concentrate on the published SLA between your supplier. This will permit something like a similarity between your needs and the services you accept in return for any given issue. High need 24 hours multi day bolster is something that you might need to look to contrast with the compensation of powerful transmitting administrations, with numerous exceedingly intelligent elements and a vast gathering anticipated viewing, this is because of the basic down time engaged with such an undertaking. A supplier can just capacity to guarantee great client encounter should they be held to keep up solid client bolster corresponded with any given service. Necessary information of how the organization has dealt with client issues in the past can likewise be very important in picking the best service. This learning can be gotten from direct client declarations or studies. In conclusion, an organization’s notoriety for quality bolster can reflect much with regards to the client. Even though it may be elusive the specifics before really turning into a client, frequently getting some information about supplier encounters can offer help in picking between bigger organizations. Reputation is an impression of societally translated nature of a thing or action. Any given transmission or catch framework can be viewed as a movement that is significant to the client; so it is reasonable that buyers will settle on a tradeoff with bring down quality service for an organization with higher known notoriety. A service supplier with a firm comprehension of a client’s needs and a solid notoriety will probably give quality client arrangement.
It is important for you to be able to comprehend how to use your site successfully and know how it is working when you run into an issue. It dependably appears that you experience issues when you are endeavored to do somebody that is imperative to your business or individual satisfaction. Suppose you are attempting to make an installment on the web to finish a buy, and you keep running into site issues. You don’t need your clients to ever confront issues and have it egregiously influence your business. The most ideal approach to ensure you are getting quality client administration is to think about the organization’s published Support Service Level Agreement (SLA).
