With so many so-called, ‘Live Streaming’ platforms to choose from – notably platforms like Zoom, Skype & now Webex (previously branded as Socio), event organizers are jumping into the ring, assuming that now they can webcast their own events without the help of webcast professional. Really? Maybe…
Yes, now you may have a platform, but what do you intend to use to shoot the event and then broadcast it onto said platform?
Your mobile phone?
Your webcam?
Well sure, if you want your webcast to look really amateurish!
If you would like to use something more substantial – like say a camcorder, to make your event webcast look and feel more professional, have you given a thought of how you intend to stream the footage onto the conferencing platform over the Internet? Magic? Most camcorders do not have the ability to stream directly to the web.
And then what about multi-camera productions? When you need multiple viewpoints live-switched in real-time, with titles and captions, what then?
Does your organization possess a video mixer (hardware or software) and someone with the knowhow and experience to use it effectively? Do you have all the cables and connectors you need to ingest multiple video & audio signals and synchronize all the feeds to work seamlessly?
What if your event venue has no Internet connection? Does your multi-camera setup have the ability to use cellular technology to live stream your audio and video?
Now those platforms do have their place in the event broadcasting universe, but remember, they all started off as teleconferencing and videoconferencing tools for meetings, and only now are trying to jump into the event production business.
While they do have some very nice features such as online interactive chat, moderator controls, booking and registration, etc., even those require some experience and a dedicated in house individual to set up (unless you pay the platform to do the work for you).
The biggest problem with these platforms, is their claim of being able to provide a serious Live Webcast solution – they don’t!
They’re great if you are ‘streaming’ with your mobile phone or a webcam, but utterly useless if you need a seriously professional-looking event broadcast for major events like conferences and the like, using multi-camera and multi-audio productions.
So what are you, the average event organizer to do?
Solution: Combine the strengths of both these systems – sending a professionally mixed, multi-camera, audio-video stream to the videoconferencing platform, allows you to have the platform control for registering users, interactive communication, etc., backed up by a pro webcast operator, to make your Live Event Webcast a resounding success!
At MediaStreams we have the experience and expertise to combine all the aspects of Live Event Webcasting to provide your audience with a professional and seamless online experience.
Visit us at MediaStreams Communications or Call 60.970.5055 for more information on how we can help stream your event onto any platform