Going LiveUsing Webcasting to Share Your Events With the World

Tom SmithEsda LLC

Who Am I?

• JHU Alumnus (AS 2011)• Co-founder of Esda LLC,

ETC-affiliated startup• Led webcasting for

GBCA, Radar Redux LIVE since 2008

This Presentation

• First principles• Webcasting myths and realities• How to do a webcast• Lessons from the field• Our pipeline, future directions

What is a webcast?

• Live audio or video stream• Viewable in a browser• Generally Flash-based

What’s involved?

• Broadcaster– Software, video equipment, operator– Creates live stream of event

• Website/Portal– Receives stream– Provides “landing page” for viewers

• Viewer– Visits website/portal– Watches stream

What to webcast

• Concerts• Conferences• Lectures• Sermons• Theatre• Sold-out events of any kind

Myth 1: Webcasting is all about watching things LIVE

Reality: Webcasting is about generating static content quickly and easily

Fast Content

• Webcasting generates web video immediately

• Stats– Average # watching live: 2-3– Average # watching recorded clip: 50-500

• Value is in instant, shareable, edit-free video

Myth 2: Great webcasts require great equipment

Reality: Great webcasts require adequate bandwidth

It’s about the pipes

• Need fast and consistent internet in the field– > 500 kbps up

• Types– Wired = ideal– Wifi = works, when it works– 4g = fine when there’s coverage– 3g = use at your peril

• Bandwidth and reliability make or break a webcast

Myth 3: Webcasting is hard and complicated

Reality: Webcasting is easy, but Murphy’s Law is cruel

Prepare and practice!

• Simple procedure• Redundancy• Preparation, experience• Dealing with the unexpected is the hardest

part of webcasting

How to do a webcast

Choose Equipment

• Laptop with… – integrated camera

– external webcam

– external camcorder(s)

My Rig

• HP Pavillion DV6000

• Sony TRV340 camcorder

Choose a service

• Ustream

• Livestream

• Custom solution

Embed on your page

Promote

• Social media

• Event website

• At the event

• Think un-local

Demo

Lessons from the field

Use Ustream’s web-based broadcaster

Audio >> Video

• uStream audio = up to 44khz

• Video = max 23 fps, generally 640x480

Lighting is vital

Bad! Good!

Can you spot the presenter?

Consider practical things

• Bring a table• Check dress code• Parking?

Closer is better

Close Far

Publish immediately

Pipeline: Mobile

• Android-based broadcaster

• Custom rig

Pipeline: Leveraging content

• Software to generate clips• Add metadata• Spread around

More info

• Esdallc.com• Esdassociated@gmail.com• @EsdaLLC