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Live streaming video
I would like to be able to run a camera with mics, out in the field and be able to stream it live to my web site. Mobile is the word…. I will be going up and down mountains, etc. Any brilliant people out there with a solution?
Thanks,
Danny -
27 Replies
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Why you can just head on down the Cow path aways and mosey on over to
https://forums.creativecow.net/telestreamwirecast
It’s cross platform (Mac/Windows).Consider it a full production switcher and it’ll run right from your laptop.
Make sure it’s a fast laptop. I’m using MacBookPro CoreDuo 2.4GHzFirewire port can take one DV camera.
Express firewire adaptor gives you a 2nd camera.
This laptop has built in WebCam and mic but you can certainly toss on more with the USB bus.Mac version will stream Quicktime or Flash with H.264 codec.
Windows version adds Windows Media streaming as well.You’ll want at least 500kbps-768kbps up at least but you can get by with less if you don’t mind a lower quality speed.
Test your upload speed here
https://www.speedtest.net/index.php
pick server targeting your server location.If you really want down and dirty (no budget) you can use Quicktime Broadcaster (just camera and mic basically) to stream to a Quicktime or Darwin Streaming Server.
Unfortunately Adobe has not made Flash Media Encoder on the Mac side but it certainly works well if you’re on a Windows computer and you can stream using either VP6 or H.264 to a Flash Streaming Server.If you don’t have a CDN or your own streaming server there’s Livestream (was Mogulus until today)
https://www.livestream.com/
and
https://www.ustream.tv/
which you can setup free accounts with (with overlay ads but viewers can click them away periodically).
The both have “Pro” versions (LivestreamPro starts at $350/mo) (Watershed has pay as you go or starts at $49/mo).That’s a basic overview but I can give you details if you describe where your headed with this.
If you head in the direction of Wirecast as production switcher streaming software head over to that forum as other Wirecasters may chime in with additional suggestions. -
Thanks a ton for the information. I’m wanting to be able to film adventures in the wilderness and stream live. For that reason I will want to pack as little electronics as possible. One guess is that I might have to have a custom, ram only computer made with just the right ports to feed a signal from the camera, a wireless card or some way of getting the stream to a server, and a port I can hook to a basic lcd screen.
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[Danny Dodge] “a wireless card or some way of getting the stream to a server”
You’ll need a wireless data plan which has coverage in the area you’ll be at.[Danny Dodge] “One guess is that I might have to have a custom, ram only computer”
Huh? Any good laptop will have USB and Firewire ports. You’re going to need a good CPU (CoreDuo IMHO) in order to do the real time encode.[Danny Dodge] “and a port I can hook to a basic lcd screen. “
Why? This makes no sense to me at all.A 15″ MacBookPro has built in webcam (in the front screen) and built in mic as well as firewire and USB in. That built in cam is low quality but if you really want to bring “nothing” that laptop itself has all the hardware you need including built in wireless (you just need an account in range).
You can certainly run Windows natively on it if you’d like so you’re not limited to Mac OS at all.You can’t get a specific answer from general statements. You can absolutely use a MacBookPro as an all in one streaming box without any other hardware at all.
Please make NO ASSUMPTIONS about what you’ll need. FIRST describe what you want to do IN DETAIL
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I’ve got a MacPro 2.5ghz core 2 duo laptop and I run my internet through AirPort.
Here’s my scenario. I’m following a biologist through the woods, catching shots of wildlife. I’m going to be all across the country, and in Canada and Alaska (Alaska is another country, isn’t it, LOL) To start out I will limit my excursions to areas with cel service. But I would expect that, in the future, I will want to expand this to step outside those areas. If we have to preset microwave repeaters to relay the signal, then that’s not outside of the possibility. But ultimately, I will be shooting with a broadcast camera and wireless mics. That will be the content I want to deliver. Also, wether I have to use an intermediate service for serving the video or not, I want the streaming video to appear on our site with now outside ads or images influencing the look or function of the page.
I don’t ask for much, do I 🙂
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[Danny Dodge] “I’ve got a MacPro 2.5ghz core 2 duo laptop and I run my internet through AirPort. “
Good!
[Danny Dodge] “I’m going to be all across the country, and in Canada and Alaska (Alaska is another country, isn’t it, LOL) To start out I will limit my excursions to areas with cel service. But I would expect that, in the future,”
Given where you’ll likely be you’re going to need cell service with data plan unless you expect free wifi in the woods. There are satellite providers in areas where nothing else exists but that’s going to be expensive and the upload speed might be very slow for live streaming.
[Danny Dodge] “If we have to preset microwave repeaters to relay the signal, then that’s not outside of the possibility.”
Double check to see if satellite is available and at what upload speed. If you have the budget for repeaters then certainly that’s viable (but expensive). If it’s a broadcast budget you might want to consider and off road worthy small satellite transmission vehicle. Then you’d only need to hit that and they’d take care of the uplink.[Danny Dodge] “But ultimately, I will be shooting with a broadcast camera and wireless mics.”
You could use a Sony EX1 and go firewire in HDV mode into the MacBookPro. With the 1920×1080 1/2″ chip sensors it’ll still be a good image even in HDV mode. If you can handle a bit more gear you could use a Matrox MXO2 (HD-SDI in to the box and has an Express Card adaptor for laptop use).The tough part is going to be getting good upstream signal away from civilization.
You’ll also need to think about CDN unless of course you work with a broadcast facility that has something like an Akamai or Limelight or equivalent CDN already. -
Assuming a CDN is too expensive…. (devils advocate) can a company set up its own CDN/server? Or is that simply tooooo expensive?
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By the way, I’m all about the EX. However, even though it’s a bit more weight, I prefer it’s big brother for balance, handling and lense. That will be a future purchase though.
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[Danny Dodge] “Assuming a CDN is too expensive…. (devils advocate) can a company set up its own CDN/server? Or is that simply tooooo expensive?
“Livestream (Mogulus) and Ustream are free. If you don’t want the ads consider Ustream/Watershed’s $49/mo starter plan. If you find your viewership is climbing you can upgrade to a more expensive plan.
You can setup your own server for sure but you’re still going to need the bandwidth for viewers and that’s where the money comes in.
You can do a Darwin Streaming Server (Quicktime) or Red5 (Flash) for free (as far as the software is concerned). Wowza seems to be good too. It’s not free but not as expensive as some other servers.
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[Danny Dodge] “By the way, I’m all about the EX. However, even though it’s a bit more weight, I prefer it’s big brother for balance, handling and lense. That will be a future purchase though. “
Ahh, the EX3 for sure. I thought size might be an issue though. Are you actually going to be changing lenses in the woods? The stock lens is similar to the EX1 but the balance would be better. Key with both those is you’re not going to find anything smaller with 1/2″ chips as well as both HDV and HD-SDI out. You could look at the JVC HM700 for shoulder use but it is only 1/3″ chips.
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Wow, you’re an abundance of information! I guess I’ll stop trying to stump you with questions 🙂 I really appreciate all the info. After reading your profile I realize I’m talking to the king of compression.
My one concern is heat, and the banging around of the laptop. At $3,500 it’s not something I can easily replace. Oh the dilemma.
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