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Posted in Panorama AV
In the early days of live broadcasting, a large number of highly qualified teams and technicians were necessary to be able to carry out quality streaming . However, in recent years we have seen that live streaming solutions have been evolving in order to facilitate the integration of different types of signals and simplify the use of equipment .
However, the turning point came in 2020 . When travel restrictions and social distancing measures related to COVID-19 began to be implemented, we have been able to see a big change in the industry as companies from different sectors have had to adapt in order to maintain business continuity.
Currently, it could be said that the logistical difficulty when streaming is practically nil . The necessary equipment is easily accessible : a high-speed, high-bandwidth Internet connection ; a good quality camera ; good lighting , and a good quality unidirectional microphone . However, if we want to improve the stability and quality of our live broadcast , it would be advisable to have a dedicated hardware encoder to send the video and audio signal to a multicast transmission provider . In these cases, having a trusted provider will be especially useful, since they will be able to take care of all the necessary adjustments to optimize this streaming process .
From Charmex we propose Matrox Maevex encoders , high compression and low latency video encoders and decoders that capture, encode, transmit, record and decode multiple 4K/UHD and Full HD channels over IP . Also Matrox Monarch, which offers professional streaming and recording made easy. We're talking about easy-to-use, portable live streaming devices designed for webcasters and broadcasters to stream content through a web server or CDN, using RTSP and RTMP protocols. Also a must-have are Roland ProAV streaming mixers with multiple integral SDI and/or HDMI I/Os with the option to simultaneously stream to any popular web platform via USB-C. These rigs also feature a built-in video effects engine, digital audio mixer and PTZ camera control, plus live show automation and signal management features that simplify difficult production tasks .
Once this technological base is established, the content will be sent from our Internet connection to the streaming server , be it a private or public CDN such as YouTube, Facebook Live, Periscope or Twitch .
Regarding the resolution and bitrate adjustment, this will depend on what we want to transmit and the bandwidth that we have . In the case of action games or signals with high refresh rates, they need a minimum bit rate that supports 60 fps . So if you're streaming 1080p 60 fps, a bitrate of 6000 Kbps will be required; if you opt for 720p at 60 fps , the Bit rate will be around 4500 Kbp if it is not necessary to send content with high refresh rate, we can adjust the transmission to 30 fps . In that case, a bitrate of 3000 should be fine if you're streaming 720p at 30fps .
In any case, if the bandwidth is not enough or the speed is not stable, it is recommended to set a lower resolution or refresh rate to ensure streaming stability.
This summer, we will attend a significant number of festivals that will be responsible for broadcasting the signs of their concerts to promote the event and encourage engagement for future editions for their fans.
A typical setup for this type of event would include a camera attached to a crane , some fixed cameras in various locations, and a camera operated by a video professional . Using this setup, all angles of the event could be captured and then sent to a video mixer . Both this signal and the one from the audio mixer would transfer their respective signals to the main switcher , which would result in an HDMI transmission .
At this time, the equipment intended for streaming would come into play. The HDMI video transmission with integrated audio would be sent to an encoder , from which the signal would be transmitted via the Internet to a private or public CDN.
The cloud world is closely related to streaming . However, to understand its implications, it is necessary to understand that there are two types: live , in which the video signal coming from a camera or a player is mixed and encoded to be transmitted in real time , and deferred , a process in which content is simply stored on a server and played on demand .
Both options can be related to the cloud world because it is possible to use servers in the cloud to be able to offer a multi-user service . The deferred option is characterized in that it allows the end user to be able to view the content at the same time as downloading it .
Streaming is a reality ready to be exploited by the entire business ecosystem of our country. Its most obvious advantage is that it is a great alternative to get the public to attend events with little effort, achieving an audience with greater potential because you can invite people without capacity limitations for a physical space.
We must not forget about content flexibility either , as streaming is not just limited to streaming video from a camera and live audio , but also offers the ability to use a wide variety of media content such as videos, images, text, etc. , live chat, translation… And, of course, there is the possibility of viewing the presentation in real time and on a delayed basis . It is a reality: no matter how attentive you are in a virtual event, there are always details that you need to see at another time; hence, the proliferation of links to watch in deferred.
Its advantages do not stop there. You should also take into account the possibility of tracking the presentation , since you can easily view the number of attendees, participation and behavior ; and what facilitates the realization of events , since it is not necessary to reserve a hotel, send equipment, transport costs ... All you need is an internet connection, a couple of cameras, professional microphones and a video mixer to be able to stream quality.
The time has come to rethink all the processes that have accompanied us in recent years. Taking all these keys into account, the answer will be obvious: streaming can be the ally you need .
