Planning a Live Stream
There are several factors to think about when planning a live stream to ensure that the event is successful and runs smoothly.
Our team has the experience and expertise to guide you through every step of the process, from concept to execution. We take the time to understand your goals and audience, and create a customized plan that meets your specific needs. With our cutting-edge technology and broadcast-grade equipment, you can trust that your live stream will be a seamless and memorable experience for your viewers.
Connectivity
Connectivity is perhaps the most important aspect to consider when planning a live stream broadcast.
We typically stream at up to 6Mbps during a broadcast, at variable bit-rate, meaning that certain elements, such as static graphics don’t require as much data as moving video.
There are different options to consider:
Venue internet connection
A site visit would usually be carried out as part of the planning process for the event. During this time, on-site connectivity would be tested.
We ideally require 10Mbps dedicated upload capability (allowing for overheads) during the stream. This connection should be hard-wired and not shared with anyone else (IE bandwidth shared with WIFI users).
There should also be no port-blocking or restrictions on the network for creating an outbound connection. Our streaming hardware requires certain TCP and UDP ports to be open for streaming. We'll discuss the requirements in advance of our site visit so the connectivity can be tested.
Depending on the result of our on-site testing, we may recommend that we supply our own internet connectivity, solely for the live stream.
Bonded Connectivity
Where we recommend that we supply our own connectivity, this will be either bonded 4G LTE (depending on location and access to 4G network and network saturation) or dedicated, uncontended 1:1 access via KA-SAT satellite internet, via the NewsSpotter service – or a combination of both, using Peplink technology.
Utilising KA-SAT or Starlink, we can stream from any location, even if there’s no venue internet connectivity or 4G mobile signal. Providing we can site our satellite dish outside and get a clear view of the sky, unobstructed by trees or tall buildings, we can go ‘live’.
DISCLAIMER - Internet / 3rd party Cloud service failure
The live streaming services provided by our company are dependent on various factors, including but not limited to, the availability and reliability of the internet, cloud services and other third-party technology. We make every effort to ensure that our services are provided to the highest standard and that they are available and functioning correctly during the live streaming event. However, we cannot guarantee that the services will be free from faults, interruptions or other technical issues. In the event that the services are affected by such faults or interruptions, we will make every effort to rectify the situation as soon as possible. However, we cannot be held liable for any loss, damage, costs or expenses incurred by you as a result of the failure or interruption of the services.
By using our live streaming services, you acknowledge and agree to the limitations and potential risks associated with the use of the internet, cloud services and other third-party technology. You agree that our company shall not be liable for any loss, damage, costs or expenses incurred by you as a result of such faults, interruptions or other technical issues.
Cameras
Depending on the size and scale of the event, we can provide a single camera – either static or operated, through to a multi-camera vision-mixed production. Again, this requirement would be established early in the planning process. We can utilise a mix of operated, static or remotely-controlled camera heads to give the required coverage.
For events which just require a single static camera, our stream encoder can be mounted directly to the camera, making our setup footprint minimal.
If your event already has cameras, simply supply a vision-mixed output either by HD-SDI or HDMI and we'll do the rest.
Production
We use different production equipment based on the requirement of the stream. Our vMix production switchers handle between 4 and 8 channels of SDI video per machine, depending on the system used. We can also accommodate NDI video feeds - both incoming and outgoing, allowing distribution of video signals across a local network.
Redundancy / Backup
We offer the option of running a redundant production facility - duplicating video and audio inputs across two vision mixers and operating the systems in unison - In the unlikely event that one machine fails, the mix would continue on the second machine.
The output of either machine can be switched within seconds, with minimal disruption to the viewer.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies provide temporary power backup should there be a power issue at a venue. All stream and production equipment at our offices are protected by UPS.
Aside from this, each camera feed can also be individually recorded (ISO), for additional resilience.
Audio
There are various options to consider when planning the audio and sound mix for the event.
If there’s already provision for a mixing desk at the venue that’s operated by part of your team or subcontractor, we may be able to take a sound feed directly from the desk to supply the audio from the live stream.
Our preferred method is to supply our own sound technician, mixing desk and microphones – specifically for capturing audio for the live stream, rather than piggy-backing from a Front of House mix.
Graphics / Presentations
As part of the live stream, if graphics or PowerPoint / Keynote slides are required to be mixed into the stream output, we can accommodate this with our vision mixer.
Depending on the setup, we can either take a feed directly from the presentation computer and use as a direct input in our switcher, or convert the slides into JPEG images which can be mixed as static graphics into the stream.
Similarly, if any video ‘VT’ content requires playing as part of the stream, we have media server capabilities to play back the video content.
Streaming Destination(s)
We can stream to various streaming destinations, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch and Vimeo Live.
We can also stream to a Content Delivery Network (such as Wowza) to provide a customisable embeddable player directly on your website.
Working alongside our various event delivery partners, we can also provide a robust, moderated audience chat facility which can be embed on your website next to the video player, allowing viewers to ask questions during the broadcast.
Copyright considerations
When live streaming an event, all content should be free of copyright or copyright-cleared for use during the broadcast.
This includes using images taken from online, video content from YouTube or similar sources and copyright music.
Many content platforms, including YouTube and Facebook Live operate copyright algorithms which run in the background of the site, searching published content for any possible copyright infringements. Streams can be stopped during the broadcast if copyright content is detected and can lead to blacklisting of the account in question. See Google's support article on copyright.
The simplest solution is not to use any copyright content (audio, video, images) in your event.
We understand that your live stream is a reflection of your brand and your message, and we take great care to ensure that your live stream aligns with your brand values and goals. We work closely with you to understand your audience and your objectives, and we tailor our live stream production to meet your specific needs.
By working with us for your live stream, you can rest assured that your event will be delivered to your audience with the highest level of quality and professionalism, and that your message will be effectively communicated to your viewers.
Get in touch to start planning your next live streamed event today!
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