Live Webcasting? at DVinfo.net

Jerry Porter · July 20th, 2006, 07:35 AM

My boss want's to do live webcasting on a monthly basis to about 500 employees. I have all the lights, cameras, mics, etc... What do I need on the output side and what is a cost estimate to pull this off. Anyone doing this sort of thing? It can't be that hard, look at all the adult sites doing it in high res. Any and all thoughs welcome. Thanks.

Two cameras switchable
Live chat enabled

K. Forman · July 20th, 2006, 07:47 AM

SurfGuru.com used a decent PC and Road Runner broadband connection. That was about it, other than windows media encoder.

Jerry Porter · July 20th, 2006, 07:57 AM

How about media 100? I'm looking for a high res, high end production with about 500 participants. Thanks for your input Keith as always.

(BTW I went to Sattalite Beach HS WAAAYYYY back in the day)

K. Forman · July 20th, 2006, 08:13 AM

Can't comment on Media 100. Well, I could, but I have no real knowledge of them. As far as the amount of viewers, SG had at least that many. Their content wasn't Hi Rez, but then, the computers were kind of weak back then. Their shouldn't be much of an issue now, since compression is better, and PCs are way more powerful.

Ervin Farkas · July 20th, 2006, 09:16 AM

I do this from my church on a weekly basis for over half a year now. We use two DV camcorders connected directly into a 3-port firewire card on the PC. The software is Windows Media Encoder, it recognizes both cameras and lets you switch between them (with a short glitch, about 1/3 of a second, barely noticeable, I suppose it's a sync issue), and you can choose another microphone for sound, so you're not tied to the mike on the camera. You can also switch to pre-recorded video, still images, or screen capture - whole screen or part of it.

WMEncoder pushes the signal to a Windows Media Server we are renting. We have a link on the church website that opens WMPlayer on the viewer's computer and connects to the media server - that's it. You may not need this if you need to stream on a company network - you didn't specify.

You can pretty much specify any parameters for your stream in WMEncoder, audio, video, multiple bitrates, you name it. And best of all, it's absolutely free from Microsoft. A 3-port firewire PCI card costs about 25 bucks.

Keith Loh · July 20th, 2006, 09:44 AM

How much does it cost to rent the server? Is it by bandwidth?

Greg Watts · July 20th, 2006, 10:01 AM

Have you thought about using a service like Streamload? I use the $4.95 per month one and that gets me 10gig downloads per month and unlimited uploads. It's very speedy for those who download my files (videos primarily) and it's flexible in how you send out links. It even allows you to password protect each link you send so that you can control who gets access. They have larger plans for those who need more download bandwidth that are affordable.

Cheers

Ervin Farkas · July 20th, 2006, 02:52 PM

Keith,

I am not sure about the cost as this aspect is handled by the finance department of the church. I can contact the provider if you like and ask him.

Nathaniel McInnes · July 20th, 2006, 11:56 PM

If you have a mac i would use live channel pro. its about $900 but it is the best you probaly going to find. Its like have real switch boards but on your pc and it is user friendly. i use it all the time.

July 20th, 2006, 07:35 AM	#1
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	Live Webcasting? My boss want's to do live webcasting on a monthly basis to about 500 employees. I have all the lights, cameras, mics, etc... What do I need on the output side and what is a cost estimate to pull this off. Anyone doing this sort of thing? It can't be that hard, look at all the adult sites doing it in high res. Any and all thoughs welcome. Thanks. Two cameras switchable Live chat enabled

July 20th, 2006, 07:47 AM	#2
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	SurfGuru.com used a decent PC and Road Runner broadband connection. That was about it, other than windows media encoder. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

July 20th, 2006, 08:13 AM	#4
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Can't comment on Media 100. Well, I could, but I have no real knowledge of them. As far as the amount of viewers, SG had at least that many. Their content wasn't Hi Rez, but then, the computers were kind of weak back then. Their shouldn't be much of an issue now, since compression is better, and PCs are way more powerful. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

July 20th, 2006, 09:16 AM	#5
Ervin Farkas Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta/USA Posts: 2,515	I do this from my church on a weekly basis for over half a year now. We use two DV camcorders connected directly into a 3-port firewire card on the PC. The software is Windows Media Encoder, it recognizes both cameras and lets you switch between them (with a short glitch, about 1/3 of a second, barely noticeable, I suppose it's a sync issue), and you can choose another microphone for sound, so you're not tied to the mike on the camera. You can also switch to pre-recorded video, still images, or screen capture - whole screen or part of it. WMEncoder pushes the signal to a Windows Media Server we are renting. We have a link on the church website that opens WMPlayer on the viewer's computer and connects to the media server - that's it. You may not need this if you need to stream on a company network - you didn't specify. You can pretty much specify any parameters for your stream in WMEncoder, audio, video, multiple bitrates, you name it. And best of all, it's absolutely free from Microsoft. A 3-port firewire PCI card costs about 25 bucks. __________________ Ervin Farkas www.AtlantaLegalVideo.com

July 20th, 2006, 09:44 AM	#6
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	How much does it cost to rent the server? Is it by bandwidth? __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

July 20th, 2006, 07:57 AM	#3
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	How about media 100? I'm looking for a high res, high end production with about 500 participants. Thanks for your input Keith as always. (BTW I went to Sattalite Beach HS WAAAYYYY back in the day)

July 20th, 2006, 10:01 AM	#7
Greg Watts Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 66	Have you thought about using a service like Streamload? I use the $4.95 per month one and that gets me 10gig downloads per month and unlimited uploads. It's very speedy for those who download my files (videos primarily) and it's flexible in how you send out links. It even allows you to password protect each link you send so that you can control who gets access. They have larger plans for those who need more download bandwidth that are affordable. Cheers

July 20th, 2006, 02:52 PM	#8
Ervin Farkas Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta/USA Posts: 2,515	Keith, I am not sure about the cost as this aspect is handled by the finance department of the church. I can contact the provider if you like and ask him. __________________ Ervin Farkas www.AtlantaLegalVideo.com

July 20th, 2006, 11:56 PM	#9
Nathaniel McInnes Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Taffs well, Wales Posts: 190	If you have a mac i would use live channel pro. its about $900 but it is the best you probaly going to find. Its like have real switch boards but on your pc and it is user friendly. i use it all the time.