Broadcasting an event via the Internet

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DVX100Shooter

Veteran
I know it can be done because my job broadcasts Live Press Conferences and other events on the station's website. I never asked anyone how it is done. Well recently I was approached about shooting an event next month and the promoters wanted to know if I had the ability of streaming the event live on the internet! What do I need to make that happen? Viewers would go to the promoter's website to watch the event if they couldn't make it there.
 
You will need:

Video production - one or more cameras & mics, etc. If it's a multi-camera shoot, you will need a video mixer, audio mixer, monitors, etc.. and a lot of cable.

Web encoding - a computers/computers that capture the video stream and encode it to a web format in real time. Windows Media Encorder is free and very flexible, or if you feel geeky, you can do a LOT with VLC Player (free) too. There are of course options for Quick-Time, Real and I believe Flash now too.

Web distribution - a streaming server that actually distributes the webcast to all the viewers - this machien needs a LARGE pipe ot the internet ( size of stream times the numebr of viewers. Eg: 10 peoeple viewing a 2mbs stream needs a 20mbps connection.)


The first 2 are pretty simple, but the streaming server may present some challenges. Streaming servers also arn't free, nore is the badwidth to run them.


Note that most encoder programs can stream directly to a small number of viewers - for example Windows Media Encoder can stream directly to up to 10 viewers, provided there is enough bandwidth available.

- Mikko
 
I would agree. My suggestion for a server would be to look at Shoutcast. They support both audio and video feeds. We use them for the station. I'm not crazy about them, they've messed up my listener statistics a few time, but the server seems pretty stable. You can get 500gb of bandwidth, (up and down combined) with unlimited users for $60 a month.
 
What type of location are you looking to do this from.

Ive done something similar about 1-2 years ago, and we were fortunate because the location we were doing it (City hall) had a 100mbit connection to the net and they allowed us to use 80mbit of that connection. We had a multi cam set up. a vision mixer. Then from the vision mixer we ran a firewire cable to the computer and using Quicktime broadcaster, we streamed it over the net.

Everything is easy. Its getting the internet connection is the hardest thing.

Cheers,
 
Corw, I don't see anything about video on Shoutcast. Am I looking in the wrong place? Looks like audio only.

Thanks
 
Thanks for the tips and suggestions! The event will be held in a ballroom inside a hotel. Thats about all I know for right now.
 
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