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Thread: Looking to Enhance My Live Stream

  1. #1
    IAIB Broadcaster NickSPNT's Avatar
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    Looking to Enhance My Live Stream

    Right now during my broadcasts, I am the only person on camera despite having two co-hosts in two different cities. I'd like to use Google+ Hangouts on Air to allow them a chance for some camera time and I also think it will help to enhance the video broadcast.

    We currently just use Skype for audio purposes which works flawlessly. Is there a CHEAP way to bring in video from Skype to stream live? I do not have the budget for something like Vidblaster or Wirecast.

    I was understanding that with Google+ Hangouts, whoever talks the camera automatically switches to that person. In doing some testing with my co-hosts, its not switching at all in fact the camera shot stays right on me.

    Anyway, now that I've rambled on - what are some cost effective ways to incorporate video from users who are not in the studio with you.

    Any help/feedback is appreciated.

    Thanks all, happy broadcasting!
    Founder/Program Director at spnt.tv
    Host of Who-Dey Weekly
    Host of Irish Impact
    Host of Red vs Red
    Host of Thursday Tech Talk
    Host of Redleg Weekly
    Host of Start Talking and Recording Today
    Producer of The Minor League Report

  2. #2
    IAIB Broadcaster Amnon's Avatar
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    You can give xSplit a try (xsplit.com). "Google+ OnAir" could be another cheap way to do it.

  3. #3
    IAIB Broadcaster Donovan's Avatar
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    When I first started out, I purchased the ability to have video conferencing for Skype. I used Camtwist and Adobe Live Encoder on a Mac. I eventually switched over to a PC using XSplit and screen cap to capture the entire Skype Window. Since Skype focuses on the person speaking, it worked pretty well when my multiple co-hosts would speak (at some point I had 4 co-hosts). Plus with XSplit, I could switch between my camera feed and the Skype screen cap.

    Eventually I switched everything over to Wirecast and I use Desktop Presenter to bring in the Skype calls from another computer. However, we have found that Skype's audio can get really crappy and we all use a Mumble server, having foregone the video side of it for a while. I do, however, plan to get back to bringing in their video (for those co-hosts that want to).

    Once my account is enabled for Google+ OnAir, that's something I plan to try as well.
    Donovan Adkisson
    Adkisson Digital
    http://www.adkissondigital.com
    http://about.me/gdadkisson | Twitter: @gdadkisson
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Have you read my books?
    Podcasting: Year One http://www.donovanadkisson.com/pyo
    Fifty and Furious http://www.donovanadkisson.com/fifty

  4. #4
    IAIB Broadcaster NickSPNT's Avatar
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    I was testing out google + hangouts on air and couldnt figure out how to get my cohost on the screen. Tbe shot would just stay on me.

  5. #5
    Senior Member cseeman's Avatar
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    Donovan, my setup isn't too much different than yours with Wirecast, Desktop Presenter and Skype although have it all setup on one computer with a couple of monitors.

    I recently tried using Google Hangouts OnAir and grabbing that with Desktop Presenter. There were a few odd bumps here and there. One is that some guests were reluctant to use it as they were more familiar with Skype. I had a weird occurrence where the browser would refresh when someone was invited to the Hangout. Once the kinks are worked out, it should be a reasonable alternative given you can have up to 10 people at no cost.

    NickSPNT, just click on the box with your cohost and it switches.
    One of the bugs I've noted is that the switch may happen in the Hangout but not in the YouTube live stream. Of course I'm using Wirecast to grab the Hangout itself and stream elsewhere though.

    BTW the reason I like Wirecast with this is that I can grab everyone on the call with DTP (Skype or Hangout) and crop them into solo shots with their own titles and create two shots or multi PIP shots as needed.

  6. #6
    IAIB Broadcaster NickSPNT's Avatar
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    I actually purchased xsplit tonight (price was reasonable) and used it on our show. It was VERY VERY easy to use. The only downside was that once the show was over, the recorded show is NOT saved on Ustreams servers. I guess next week I'll have to use Ustream producer and use xsplit to control the show.
    Founder/Program Director at spnt.tv
    Host of Who-Dey Weekly
    Host of Irish Impact
    Host of Red vs Red
    Host of Thursday Tech Talk
    Host of Redleg Weekly
    Host of Start Talking and Recording Today
    Producer of The Minor League Report

  7. #7
    IAIB Broadcaster Donovan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NickSPNT View Post
    I actually purchased xsplit tonight (price was reasonable) and used it on our show. It was VERY VERY easy to use. The only downside was that once the show was over, the recorded show is NOT saved on Ustreams servers. I guess next week I'll have to use Ustream producer and use xsplit to control the show.
    You can use XSplit to record the show locally if you like while you stream to UStream. That way you can edit it and upload it to YouTube if that's your choice.

    Also, at some point in the past, there was a special link for UStream that you could visit and enable recording for your show without havnig to use their producer product (though I can't remember what the link is now, but a quick search should reveal it if it's still available).
    Donovan Adkisson
    Adkisson Digital
    http://www.adkissondigital.com
    http://about.me/gdadkisson | Twitter: @gdadkisson
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Have you read my books?
    Podcasting: Year One http://www.donovanadkisson.com/pyo
    Fifty and Furious http://www.donovanadkisson.com/fifty

  8. #8
    IAIB Broadcaster
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    To record in Ustream when streaming from any third party s/w like XSplit, go to Ustream.tv, select your channel, click the "remote" tab in the left column, select "launch remote console," and click "start record."

    Ustream also has a new metrics tool, Live Analyitcs Console. Looks very cool.

  9. #9
    IAIB Broadcaster Donovan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TomSinclair View Post
    To record in Ustream when streaming from any third party s/w like XSplit, go to Ustream.tv, select your channel, click the "remote" tab in the left column, select "launch remote console," and click "start record."

    Ustream also has a new metrics tool, Live Analyitcs Console. Looks very cool.
    Yeah, what he said.
    Donovan Adkisson
    Adkisson Digital
    http://www.adkissondigital.com
    http://about.me/gdadkisson | Twitter: @gdadkisson
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Have you read my books?
    Podcasting: Year One http://www.donovanadkisson.com/pyo
    Fifty and Furious http://www.donovanadkisson.com/fifty

  10. #10
    IAIB Broadcaster NickSPNT's Avatar
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    I was able to record last night's show and have the .flv file, now I just need to edit it and Adobe Premiere Elements 9 isn't cooperating. I'll update my Ustream settings too. Thanks everyone!
    Founder/Program Director at spnt.tv
    Host of Who-Dey Weekly
    Host of Irish Impact
    Host of Red vs Red
    Host of Thursday Tech Talk
    Host of Redleg Weekly
    Host of Start Talking and Recording Today
    Producer of The Minor League Report

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