Articles

OBS keyframe interval: what is the correct keyframe interval for live streaming? (May 28th, 2023 )
Keyframe interval (also known as keyframe period, sometimes written as key frame interval) is a crucial parameter to take into account when transcoding video, as it is one of the most critical parameters after bitrate and resolution. It determines how frequently a full frame of video is encoded into the stream, which can affect the video quality, the bitrate required for the stream, and the decoder's ...

Expert guide on how to correctly configure OBS Studio in 2023 (May 27th, 2023 )
The recommended OBS Studio transcoder settings vary depending on factors such as balancing quality and latency, as well as whether or not the device being used has a GPU (graphic card with dedicated H264 encoder). Please be aware that some online video providers have stricter restrictions if they use cheap, outdated or misconfigured streaming servers What is OBS Studio ? OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster ...

Video buffering and frame skipping: How to improve customer experience during live-streaming events (May 25th, 2023 )
Live-streaming events have become increasingly popular in recent years, from sports games to concerts and conferences. However, the quality of the live-streaming experience can be marred by video buffering and frame skipping. These issues can cause frustration and disappointment for viewers, and they can also have a negative impact on the reputation of the streaming provider. To provide a high-quality ...

Getting a Roku App for My Content: A Comprehensive Guide for Streaming Content Owners (May 25th, 2023 )
In the world of streaming, Roku stands out as a leading platform with over 60 million active users in the U.S. alone. As a content owner, getting a Roku app for your content can significantly increase your visibility and generate new revenue streams. This article will guide you through the process of creating your own Roku channel. Why Create a Roku Channel? Creating a Roku channel offers several ...

Monetizing Live Streams: A Comprehensive Guide (May 25th, 2023 )
In the digital age, live streaming has emerged as a powerful tool for content creators and businesses alike. With the rise of platforms like YouTube, Facebook Live, and Twitch, the opportunities for monetizing live streams are more abundant than ever. This article will explore various strategies for generating revenue from live streams and provide tips on how to maximize your streaming revenue potential. The ...

Does Eco-Friendly Streaming or Green Streaming Truly Exist? (May 22nd, 2023 )
Jean-Marc Jancovici's answer No Can we consider live 'retranscoding' as green streaming? When discussing the concept of "green streaming," it is important to consider the environmental impact of various streaming methods. Live retranscoding involves converting a video stream from one format or bitrate to another in real time to ensure compatibility with different devices and network conditions. ...

What is a Pop Up TV channel ? (May 16th, 2023 )
What is a Popup TV Channel ? Like a PopUp Store, a "popup TV channel" refers to a temporary or limited-time channel that is broadcast by a television service provider in addition to their regular lineup of channels. These channels may be created for special events or programming, such as major sports events or holiday programming. Popup TV channels may also be used to test new programming or to fill ...

What is the recommended transcoder for live streaming vertical videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram? (May 13th, 2023 )
With the rise of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the demand for live streaming vertical videos has significantly increased. Live streaming vertical videos can be challenging as they require specialized encoding to ensure that the video is of high quality and the audio is in sync. To achieve this, a transcoder is needed, but which one should you use? In this article, we will discuss ...

Ad blockers blocked on YouTube to choose between ads and YouTube Premium? Learn how to provide ad-free videos and gain better audience insights and generosity at the same time (May 12th, 2023 )
It looks like you may be using an ad blockerAds allow You Tube to stay free for billions of users worldwideYou can go ad-free with YouTube Premium, and creators can still get paid from your subscription Here is the message some people using ad blockers on YouTube are starting to see, to make them choose between ads and YouTube Premium Ad Blockers Blocked to force Youtube Premium? Why do people ...

Streamlining User Experience: The Importance of Fast Streaming and App Launch Time (May 9th, 2023 )
In today's digital age, users have a low tolerance for slow loading times and poor user experiences. In fact, studies have shown that users are likely to abandon an app or a website if it takes more than a few seconds to load. This is why streaming and app launch time matter so much for user experience. Streaming refers to the delivery of media content, such as videos or music, over the internet. ...

Free HLS streams to test video streaming players, websites, and apps #1 Blender Open Movies TV Channel (May 9th, 2023 )
You can add this test stream to your website listing examples of HLS streams as long as you also provide a 'do follow' link either to this webpage or https://ireplay.tv HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is a popular streaming protocol used for delivering live and on-demand video content over the internet. It is widely used by various video platforms and services, including Apple's iOS devices, Roku, and ...

MAM vs. LMS: Understanding the Key Differences for Content Management (May 8th, 2023 )
When it comes to managing content in a digital environment, there are two popular approaches: MAM (Media Asset Management) and LMS (Learning Management System). While both of these systems are designed to manage content, they have different functions and features. In this article, we will explore the differences between MAM and LMS, and help you determine which system is right for your organization. Media ...

Choosing the Right HTML5 Video Player: Why it Matters for Your Streaming Experience (May 7th, 2023 )
The popularity of streaming video has skyrocketed in recent years, with platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube dominating the market. Streaming video has become the preferred method of consuming media for many people, as it provides an easy and convenient way to access content on demand. However, the quality of the streaming experience can vary greatly depending on the video player used. In ...

Efficiently Producing 24/7 Live Streams: A Guide to 24/7 Streaming without the Requirement of a Dedicated PC or Live Transcoders (May 7th, 2023 )
In 2012, Apple introduced a new capability in its HLS standard that enables a full reset of a decoder at any point. It is unclear if the feature was intended for ad insertion, channel or content switching, or content personalization, but it can be used for these purposes as well. This was my understanding at the time, and I used this feature to create my first VOD2Live channel in December 2012, before ...

Live streaming always buffering? Get an immediate and free audit from a streaming expert (May 6th, 2023 )
Live streaming from self-service online video providers such as Vimeo has become increasingly popular in recent years, but these platforms can often fail to provide reliable playback due to buffering issues and other technical problems. Without the help of streaming experts to quickly diagnose and resolve these issues, the audience's viewing experience can be frustrating and potentially drive them ...

In video what is a 'slate' and how is it better for your viewers than a 'Sorry this media is offline' message? (May 4th, 2023 )
In video streaming, a slate refers to a pre-recorded video or graphic that is displayed in place of the actual video content when there is no live stream or on-demand content available to play. Essentially, it is a placeholder or filler that is used to inform viewers that there is no content currently available. Compared to displaying a "sorry this media is offline" message, using a slate is ...

On-the-fly manifest manipulation: user-generated channels or fully personalized TV channels (April 21st, 2023 )
Worldwide Charts: choose the next song - on-the- fly manifest manipulation live example You can choose the next song in the following 24x7 music channel, by simply clicking the button below the current schedule or scan the QRCode on your smartphone. You will be able to pick content to be broadcasted next. Be the DJ and choose the next song var video = document.getElementById('video');var ...

Cheaper and Better: alternative to Boxcast subscription plans, add-ons and paywall commissions (April 17th, 2023 )
tl;dr If you want clear 'minute-based' pricing and all-included services instead of a subscription plan that still requires add-ons and payment commission for any paywall, and if you desire advanced features such as failover, 24/7 TV Channels, HTTP streaming compliant with modern Apple recommendations, please scroll directly to the bottom of this page. What is Boxcaster? Boxcaster is a term that ...

NAB 2023 Trends: forced march to the cloud, targeted advertising, FAST channels, Cloud playout (April 12th, 2023 )
In the footsteps of Olivier Ezratty, let's see what are the biggest trends for the broadcast and video streaming industry at NABshow Las Vegas in 2023. Forced march to the cloud for broadcast vendors Another trend observed at the NAB show is the strong push towards cloud computing, with AWS Cloud being the popular choice for most companies, unless they have Microsoft as one of their stockholders.(e.g. ...

How to reduce Amazon CloudFront costs in the context of streaming or live streaming while maintaining reliability and video quality? (April 11th, 2023 )
Even wealthy national TV broadcasters view Amazon AWS, as well as other American cloud providers like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), as a luxury. However, these providers are more commonly utilized by developers or devops teams as part of the agile process to achieve faster releases, which may not always be the most critical aspect for managing 24/7 streaming services. Quality assurance ...

Cheaper and Better: alternatives to Synamedia Quortex Play monthly commitments (April 5th, 2023 )
tl;dr If you want clear 'minute-based' pricing, all-included services instead of a monthly $5000 over a 12-month commitment to getting time-shifting/rewind/DVR, 'real green' streaming (not restranscoding twice when unnecessary), please scroll directly to the bottom of this page. What is Synamedia Quortex? Quortex.io is a cloud-based video delivery platform, founded by former employees of Ateme ...

Paywall for live streaming and real-time payment solutions: credit card, Paypal, bitcoins or ethereum? (April 2nd, 2023 )
As the digital world continues to evolve, content creators and website owners are constantly looking for new ways to monetize their work. Paywalls have emerged as a popular method for offering premium content to users who are willing to pay a fee. With a multitude of payment solutions available, it can be difficult to determine which one best suits your needs. In this article, we will discuss three ...

AI-generated videos or video automation: how to enhance a video production workflow? (March 31st, 2023 )
Conversational AI technologies like ChatGPT and GPT-4 have significantly contributed to the widespread use of AI-generated prompts in the creative process, particularly for text-based content. Likewise, platforms such as Midjourney are popularizing AI applications in image generation. Consequently, it is only natural that the video industry would express interest in AI-generated video content. What ...

Multi-View: Revolutionizing Video Production, Live Streaming, and Engaging Audiences (March 29th, 2023 )
YouTube TV recently announced Multi View for sports, demonstrating one of the possible uses for a video grid. Multiview as a Video Producer Multiview's video producer capabilities enable creators to experiment with different angles and perspectives to produce captivating content. The multiangles feature allows broadcasters to switch between multiple camera angles with ease, ensuring a dynamic and ...

What is a playout system in video broadcasting or streaming? (March 29th, 2023 )
A playout system, also known as a video server or broadcast automation system, is an essential component of video broadcasting and streaming workflows. It manages the storage, retrieval, and playback of video content for live and pre-recorded television channels, internet streaming, or other media platforms. Playout systems ensure that video content is played out according to a predetermined schedule ...

What is the recommended encoding ladder ? (March 28th, 2023 )
Everyone can build a transcoding ladder, but it requires experimentation and adjustements with codecs, target and delivery methods. It's a frequent topic for encoding experts like Jan Ozer Is a one-size-fits-all encoding ladder strategy for adaptive bitrate streaming relevant, or should it adapt to the devices used (mobile, tablet, computer, set-top box)? Short answer: No. In the case of adaptive ...

How much traffic does a live stream consume and do I really need to know that ? (March 23rd, 2023 )
Does it make sense for an online video provider to have a business plan based on data traffic? Streaming video requires a significant amount of bandwidth, and the cost of delivering that bandwidth (sometimes called as Internet egress) can be high for the provider. An online video provider might rely on one or several external Content Delivery Networks (CDN); CDN have traffic-based pricing, a CDN ...

Cheaper and Better: alternative to Dacast subscription plans (March 23rd, 2023 )
tl;dr To avail of advanced features such as unlimited 24/7 virtual channels (or FAST), improved video quality, better compatibility with streaming devices, full compliance with HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) Authoring Specification, and professional services for essential live streaming events, without having to subscribe to monthly or yearly plans or if you simply want to reduce Dacast bandwidth costs, ...

How to launch a paid podcast subscription ? (March 12th, 2023 )
Launching a paid podcast subscription can be a great way to monetize your podcast and create a sustainable revenue stream. Here are some steps you can take to launch a paid podcast subscription: Identify exclusive content: Determine what type of exclusive content you can offer to subscribers, such as early access to episodes, bonus episodes, censored content or exclusive interviews. This will be ...

What are the best strategies for a video content owner or distributor to expand the options for delivering their content as linear TV channels? (March 12th, 2023 )
By offering a range of levels that cater to different audiences, you can build a TV channel service that appeals to a broad range of users. With the right mix of programming, advertising, and personalization options, you can create a service that keeps viewers coming back for more. Setting up an Ad-Supported Model for Free (FAST) The first level of your TV channel service should be an ad-supported ...

Australia, New Zealand, China, Africa: how to adapt live streaming for remote locations (March 11th, 2023 )
There are several potential issues that may be encountered when live streaming to or from distant locations. These include: Latency: Streaming over long distances can result in latency, which is the delay between the live event and the time it is received by the streaming server and the viewer. Latency also causes reduced bandwidth, packet losses, leading to dropped frames on the broadcaster side ...

How to achieve low latency, high-quality video for live streaming? (March 10th, 2023 )
tl;drYou simply cannot, and anyone saying the opposite is probably lying Can I get both low latency and high-quality video for live streaming ? Low latency and high-quality video can both be achieved for live streaming, but they may be inversely proportional, meaning that as one increases, the other decreases. Achieving low latency requires less processing and compression, which can result in lower ...

Maximizing Reliability for Live Streaming Events: Proven Strategies for Success (March 7th, 2023 )
Confused by the large offer of online video providers? An actual demo of transcoding and streaming on their home page is a good start to check their quality and reliability Broadcasting a live-streaming event can be a cause of anxiety for several reasons:Technical difficulties: There is always a risk of technical difficulties occurring during a live stream, such as equipment failure, internet connection ...

Cheaper and Better: alternative to Castr.io subscription plans (March 7th, 2023 )
tl;dr If you directly want to get advanced features like unlimited concurrent streams, ABR (adaptive bitrate) streaming, time-shifting/rewind/DVR, m3u8 HLS URL for your apps, professional services for important live streaming events with no monthly or yearly subscription, or reduce your Castr.io traffic costs, please scroll directly to the bottom of this page As for all OVP charging on data usage, ...

Cheaper and Better: alternative to Vimeo and Livestream.com 'Fair Usage 2TB threshold' and expensive yearly plans and support (March 7th, 2023 )
tl;dr If you want clear 'minute-based' pricing instead of an unclear 'fair usage 2 TB threshold' model and desire advanced features such as 1080p60 live streaming with failover, HTTP streaming compliant with modern Apple recommendations, time-shifting/rewind/DVR capabilities, m3u8 HLS URL for your apps, professional services for important live streaming events with no $25,000 requirement, no commission ...

How to safeguard your children from YouTube's algorithms, ads, comments, and chat while still giving them access to select videos or channels? (It also works for yourself) (March 6th, 2023 )
There are a few ways to safeguard your children from YouTube's algorithms, comments, and chat while still giving them access to select videos or channels. One option is to use YouTube's built-in parental controls, which allow you to restrict access to certain content, turn off comments, and disable chat. Another option is to use a third-party parental control software, which can give you even more ...

Correct frame rate in OBS Studio and other transcoders and best practices for an optimal viewing experience (March 4th, 2023 )
Many online video providers, with little care for creators, get it wrong when recommending (or even arbitrarily downconverting) framerates to their customers. Copywriters or AI may say that the answer for a correct frame rate is "It depends on the use case". However, when it comes to streaming, it is essential to strictly maintain the full framerate of the original source, as it was intended to ...

How to promote a paywall live stream on YouTube, Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, Twitch and other social media platforms? (March 3rd, 2023 )
What is simulcast also known as restream or restreaming or multistreaming? Simulcast, also known as restreaming or re-streaming, is the process of broadcasting a live stream to multiple platforms or channels simultaneously. This allows content creators to reach a wider audience by broadcasting their live stream to multiple platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitch, at the ...

What are addressable TV and personalized TV? (March 3rd, 2023 )
Addressable TV refers to the capability of delivering targeted advertising to specific households or individuals through their television sets. This is done by using advanced technologies such as cable or satellite set-top boxes, or smart TVs, that can identify and track viewers, and then deliver ads that are relevant to their interests and demographics. Addressable TV advertising allows for more ...

Why is it important to monitor live streams? (March 1st, 2023 )
There are several reasons why it is important to monitor live streams: Content moderation: Live streams can feature a wide range of content, some of which may be inappropriate or violate community guidelines. Monitoring live streams can help identify and remove content that is harmful, offensive, or violates policies. This can help ensure that the platform is a safe and welcoming space for all ...

How to monetize a video back catalogue? (March 1st, 2023 )
There are several ways to monetize a video back catalogue, including: Subscription-based streaming: Offer a subscription-based streaming service, where users pay a monthly or annual fee to access your entire back catalogue of videos. This can include exclusive content or early access to new releases. Ad-supported streaming: Allow users to access your back catalogue of videos for free, but include ...

How to reduce traffic costs from my existing online video provider? (March 1st, 2023 )
If you are currently using an expensive online provider to handle your traffic or if you just want to consider cost savings on streaming operations, consider adding a secondary provider that can take on a majority of the traffic (and keep the original material, as it is acting as a repeater of the original stream), but still have the ability to fall back to your primary provider when needed, especially ...

What is Twitch Guest Star and how to make the best out of it ? (March 1st, 2023 )
Twitch's "Guest Star" feature allows content creators to collaborate with other streamers and share their audiences. It is similar to Streamyard, except there is no need for an additional service to introduce other streamers. Here are a few ways you can use the feature to maximize your reach and engagement: Reach new audiences: By guest starring on another streamer's channel, you can reach a new ...

Streaming in difficult conditions part 1: Live Streaming from Antarctica to Europe and North America in 2015 (February 28th, 2023 )
Is it possible to perform live streaming under any condition, and what were the limitations in 2015? Given the challenging connectivity conditions, such as poor cellular networks and limited peering between countries or continents, broadcasting the Wild Touch Expedition from Antarctica to Europe in November 2015 presented an intriguing challenge that captured our interest. Although it's become ...

How to launch local TV channels in 2023 ? (February 28th, 2023 )
What content should I use on a local TV Channel? The type of content that should be used on a local TV channel depends on the target audience and the goals of the channel. Here are a few examples of the types of content that can be included on a local TV channel:News and weather updates: Local news and weather updates are a staple of most local TV channels. This content can include local news stories, ...

How does an online video provider differ from YouTube? (February 20th, 2023 )
Online video providers (OVPs) differ from YouTube and other user-generated content (UGC) websites in various aspects, including the focus on recommendation algorithms for competitors, limited advertisement choices, higher commission rates, and the utilization of the previously mentioned keywords. Recommendation algorithms: YouTube and UGC websites often focus on promoting content that keeps users ...

Top Live Video Streaming Apps for Mobile on Any Budget in 2023 (February 20th, 2023)
If you're looking to live stream from your smartphone or tablet, these are our top recommendations for 2023 One-time ($299): Roland VRC-01 Aerocaster Wireless Livestreaming system The AeroCaster system is an advanced and highly versatile audio and video switching system that is effortless to set up. With minimal effort, you can quickly stream content from multiple cameras, along with high-quality ...

How to check that your uploaded or imported files are complete in a Media Asset Management system? (February 20th, 2023)
One way to check if your files are complete in a Media Asset Management system is to use the md5sum tool. This tool generates a unique "checksum" for a file, which can be used to verify the integrity of the file. To use md5sum, you would first run the tool on the original file to generate a checksum, and then run it again on the uploaded or imported file to compare the two checksums. Your online provider ...

How to Prevent Copyrighted Music Strikes on YouTube for Content Creators (February 20th, 2023)
Here are a few ways to avoid copyrighted music strikes on YouTube: Use royalty-free music: There are many websites that offer a variety of royalty-free music that you can use in your videos.Use music from the YouTube Audio Library: YouTube offers a library of free music that you can use in your videos.Get permission from the copyright owner: If you want to use a specific song in your video, ...

What is NextGen TV? (February 20th, 2023)
NextGen TV, also known as ATSC 3.0, is a new television broadcasting standard that provides a number of improvements over the current ATSC 1.0 standard, such as 4K Ultra HD resolution, advanced audio, and interactive features. It also allows for mobile and internet-based TV viewing. It is being adopted by various stations and regions in the United States. How does ATSC 3.0 Internet-based TV work? ATSC ...

How to reduce the network usage for some corporate live streaming within the company offices (February 20th, 2023)
VLC, also known as Videolan Player, is a famous swiss army knife. To reduce network usage (and associated costs) when privately live streaming to multiple offices of a same corporation, this tool can also be used a multicast streaming server. How to use VLC to reduce the network usage of a live streaming event ? To implement unicast-to-multicast within a company network to lower the network usage ...

What is a media asset management (also known as digital asset management)? (February 20th, 2023)
What is Media Asset Management and Why is it Important? Media Asset Management (MAM) is a system or set of tools used to efficiently organize, store, and retrieve digital media assets such as video, audio, images, and documents. MAM systems allow users to easily search, access, and distribute these assets, often through a web-based interface. MAM is important because it helps organizations to ...

How to create VOD2Live or FAST channels for kids? (February 20th, 2023)
Some VOD catalogues like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ can be complex and have a larger variety of content, which could make it difficult for children to find the specific shows or movies they are interested in. Linear TV allows for a sense of discovery. Children can stumble upon new shows and channels which they might not find if they were only watching VOD. A children's TV channel ...

Maximizing Live Streaming Latency: Techniques for Achieving the Lowest Delay (February 20th, 2023)
What is what we call glass-to-glass latency or end-to-end latency? Glass-to-glass latency, also known as end-to-end latency, refers to the total delay from the time a video is captured by a camera to the time it is displayed on a viewer's device. It includes all the delays that occur in the process of capturing, encoding, transmitting, and decoding the video. This latency is determined by ...

Best practices for embedding video on a website (February 20th, 2023)
There are several ways to embed a video on a website, depending on the format of the video and the platform you're using to host it. General recommendation HTML5 video tag: This is the most basic method of embedding a video on a website, especially for mp4. You can use the <video> tag to specify the source of the video, along with other attributes such as width and height. Example: <video ...