The viewer experience is key to a successful live stream or recording. If the viewer doesn’t have a good experience, they won’t continue watching. What steps can a producer take to optimize the streaming environment and ensure a successful production?
Quality Equipment
Invest in quality equipment before producing a live stream or recording. There are four components needed to complete this production. Invest in a quality video and audio source as well as a video encoder. This encoder allows the production to be sent over the internet.
Next, choose a streaming destination if this will be a live stream. There are free and paid platforms offering streaming destinations. Don’t wait until the day of the production to choose a platform. Research the options well before the event and do a few test runs. This allows any problems to be found and addressed before the big day.
Finally, establish an internet connection. This will be discussed more in the next tip. Once these components have been selected, practice setting up this equipment to see how it works together. Connect the encoder and the audio and video sources. Establish a connection with the streaming platform and ensure it is ready to go live. To see several equipment options, visit Epiphan Video.
A Solid Connection
The internet connection and bandwidth must be solid for any successful production. A wired internet connection remains the best choice as it provides superior speed when compared to a Wi-Fi connection.
With a Wi-Fi connection, the device continuously scans for networks and connects to those that appear like they can support the production. While a wireless connection may offer similar speed to a wired one, the odds of a downtime increase significantly when the wireless option is selected.
When a wireless connection is the only option, complete the recording close to the Wi-Fi router to minimize problems. Do a speed test a minimum of two weeks prior to the actual event. Pay particular attention to the upload bandwidth, as this is critical when live streaming. If any problems are found, correct them and complete the test again until the setup is right.
Consider Transcoding
The internet connects people across the globe. For this reason, any recording or live stream needs to be transcoded. This re-encoding of the videos allows the productions to be accessed by viewers around the world. Bandwidth conditions vary greatly by location, and transcoding ensures viewers can still view the content.
For the best results, the original file must be of high quality. Transcoding reduces the quality of the master file when creating copies designed for different bandwidths and other factors that vary by location.
Certain platforms automatically handle the transcoding process as part of their services. Consider this when comparing platforms. Many producers choose to use a platform that handles this process on their behalf. In addition, this transcoding allows the viewer to choose their desired resolution level based on their internet speed.
With the help of these tips, a producer can optimize the streaming experience and draw in more viewers. One thing to keep in mind when optimizing the environment is the audio. Many producers overlook this, which is a mistake. The audio is just as important as the video because some people may listen to the production without watching. By optimizing both audio and video, a producer will typically find they gain more viewers.