Live Streaming – Multiple HVX200’s into uStream

[Michael Sacci]

First the HVX200 does not have HDSDI out, it has HD analog component out. HPX170 has HD SDI out.

Each camera would go to a switcher, than the switch would go to the computers I/O.

[Jeremy Allen]

Hey thanks for the reply Michael..

So just to be clear, each cam would go to a switcher via the HD analog component out? Then the switcher to the computer.

What hardware do we need for the switcher > computer? We currently have a BlackMagic Decklink capture card.

And finally, what about the audio? We will most likely have a lav mic or possibly a boom going into the main camera. Would the audio go through the switcher as well, or straight to the computer?

Thanks again for your help and any other advice you can share..

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8core MacPro, 3.0 GHZ, 10GB RAM, OSX 10.5.6

C4D 11.5
AE CS3
FCP 6.0.1

[Steve Eisen]

Google Tricaster or Anycast.

Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Vice President
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group

[Michael Eisnebach]

Another way to go would be to use software like Telestream’s wirecast. IT can handle multiple cameras as long as you have enough Firewire ports on your computer and your computer has a fast processor.
I tried it with 2 hvx 200A in SD mode and it worked nicely.
At the moment I am trying to have 2 HD signals, but I can’t manage to get the digital HD stream out of the camera via Firewire. Anyone has experience with that?

[Ryan Pratzel]

Jeremy-

We do this type of setup frequently. You can do it software based with Wirecast or UStream has it’s own software called UStream Producer. UStream producer is a re-skinned version of Wirecast and is made by Telestream. The only problem with it is that it only works with UStream.

When we do this type of switch we do two cameras into a firewire hub. We have never been able to do more than (2) cameras. The bandwidth into the computer is just too much. Also, what we normally do is BNC from the cameras to a canopus box and then to the firewire hub.

With that said, we don’t do this in HD. I have yet to see effective streaming via HD on UStream with this type of setup. In fact, one of the multi-cam projects we did was with a tech rep from UStream and he did not recommend HD streaming.

We have also done these live streams with a Tricaster and hardware switcher. Either solution works. It always comes down to budget.

In terms of cameras, we’ve done live streams with HPX500’s, HPX170s, and Sony HDV cameras. We even did one recently with Ikegami studio cams (going through a tricaster).

I highly recommend finding someone in your market who has done these setups to assist with your first project. This will save you alot of headaches.

Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com

[Jeremy Allen]

Ryan, thanks so much for your in-depth reply. I’ve been testing uStream Producer Pro all day, and I pretty much have it all figured out. I think they did a great job with that software. We’ve been in touch with the uStream people and they have been very helpful, as this is a very high profile artist.

As you mentioned, we quickly realized that HD streaming sounds great in theory, but not quite stable enough at this point. So we’ll be streaming 2 cams in SD.

Thanks again for everyone’s help on this. The stream is tomorrow, fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly!

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8core MacPro, 3.0 GHZ, 10GB RAM, OSX 10.5.6

C4D 11.5
AE CS3
FCP 6.0.1

[Danny Mccarthy]

Ryan,

I realize that this is quite some time later, but after searching for advice for an issue I have, you seem to have a lot of experience with the type of project I am helping produce. You discussed streaming multiple cameras over UStream Producer Pro through a Canopus box. I have done this before with one static camera (HMC-150) through a single input Canopus box (ADVC110) with an RCA cable and used UStream Producer Pro with success. I now have a project that will involve two cameras that need to be mobile (moving around 3 large kitchens at cooking school).

1) I was wondering if you put both cameras into a single Canopus box with multiple inputs and then into the computer through a single firewire cable and if so, what model Canopus do you use.

2)I also was wondering if you or anyone had thoughts about the issue of the cameras moving around a larger space. The only thing I could think of was buying extra long RCA cables or possibly looking into wireless video transmitters (though I have no experience with these). This is also a project for a Non-Profit, so it has a smaller budget. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Danny

[Richard Liu]

Danny,
Have you had any luck with steaming HD on Ustream with the HMC-150?

just curious.

-r

[Danny Mccarthy]

I’ve had luck streaming with HMC 150 but it wasn’t in HD. It looked nice though

Danny McCarthy
Assistant Producer
Big Teeth Productions