Best Live Streaming Service ?

**Donovan** · 05-27-2012, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by TomSinclair

I used Ustream, JustinTV, LiveStream and other minor free CDNs over the years and have finally decided that a paid CDN is best... for me.

I want no ads. I want PPV. I want VOD. Basically, I'm a control freak and want to call all the shots. I've tried some paid CDNs (that shall remain nameless) and found them to be... not ready for prime time. Currently I'm using DaCast (www.DaCast.com) and am pleased with the service. It's fairly inexpensive and their support is responsive. One thumb up from me.

I'm going to test DaCast for our next live show this coming Wednesday. Signed up for their free account and the stats and information they provide really make this look like a class act operation.

**RichardCleveland** · 05-31-2012, 01:02 PM

As a new internet broadcaster I have found Justin.TV to be the most stable of the big 3. I have not yet tried YouTube as a streaming service nor have I had a go at Google+. I use the Justin, Stickam and Ustream every week but I realy have a hard time with the preroll.

**cseeman** · 05-31-2012, 01:12 PM

Justin stable in what way by comparison?
I haven't had any stability issues with any of them. I certainly have UI and feature preferences.

Hard time with preroll? That it exists or something else?

I remember having issues with ads on Livestream. Strange things like the stream going to black afterwards or the audio not coming back. I haven't heard of those issues in some time though.

Curious to hear what you're bumping into and where?

**RichardCleveland** · 05-31-2012, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by cseeman

Justin stable in what way by comparison?
I haven't had any stability issues with any of them. I certainly have UI and feature preferences.

Hard time with preroll? That it exists or something else?

I remember having issues with ads on Livestream. Strange things like the stream going to black afterwards or the audio not coming back. I haven't heard of those issues in some time though.

Curious to hear what you're bumping into and where?

In response Ustream has run up to 5 ads during my live stream. Stickam has had a number of issues over the past months including but not limited to dropping the feed, audio is not the best it can intermittently cause echo among other issues. As far as pre-roll ads I just find them an annoyance. I have not had a black out issue after pre-roll however.

**cseeman** · 05-31-2012, 05:57 PM

The thing is, as they look at monitizing free services, the advertising might get more intrusive.

The "new Livestream" (like New Coke?) doesn't have a free service at all. They once told me that they could drop the free service entirely and it would have no impact on their revenue.

**andrewzarian** · 10-28-2013, 05:37 PM

Boy has a lot changed in a few months. Stickam and Blog TV are no longer around and Livestream is only open to its hardware. Only Ustream and Justin.tv remain from this list we started. the good news is other services like Vaughnlive and Dailymotion have entered the game of live streaming

**cseeman** · 10-28-2013, 06:13 PM

I think these changes are going to continue to happen as companies work out business models. Many of these streaming services were funded by venture capital so they have to rethink how they are supposed to make revenue.

Bambuser has been heavily invested in by Associated Press so they can have access to Citizen Journalists.

**joedemax** · 10-28-2013, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by andrewzarian

Boy has a lot changed in a few months. Stickam and Blog TV are no longer around and Livestream is only open to its hardware. Only Ustream and Justin.tv remain from this list we started. the good news is other services like Vaughnlive and Dailymotion have entered the game of live streaming

fwiw, TriCaster can stream to the new Livestream