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Network Infrastructure for Streaming Internal vs External Locations

This video offers tips for consideration when networking for a live production. Bandwidth requirements, firewalls, port management, and more!

When it comes to delivering your video content inside and outside your network there are considerations you should think about regarding your network. We will discuss creating a workflow for creating content and collaborating with that content internally with your business but also consider segmentation and public-facing content as well. What the differences in content delivery when you have a private live stream and when you have a public live stream?

Internal and External Live Streaming

We will consider the BIG Picture Local Area Network topology which starts with your router and internet service provider. WE will consider setting up a LAN and VLAN for your audiovisual equipment used for live streaming. We will consider how you can deliver content just to your internal organization, do you need to leave your LAN and leverage the cloud? How do you connect remote employees to your live video content? Should they be connecting to the corporate network using a VLAN? Finally, how are we accommodating the audience external to our organization?

Network Infrastructure for Live Streaming

Once we have reviewed our network and determined the best infrastructure for delivering our live video content we can then determine the best workflow for content creation. We discuss the value of video production studio and data organization. We review how to store videos for on-demand viewing using a collaboration suite like Google Drive, Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams or Slack. How can we organize our video content and provide useful data and calls to action for our organization?

Live streaming to internal, remote and external locations from Paul Richards

Production Workflow

Finally, how can we make our content more engaging? Can we strike a balance between data presentation and real people that our audience can connect with? How can we engage with our audience in real time? We provide a demonstration of live trivia in our post-show to share how trivia can be used to keep audiences engaged in a fun game style presentation.

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More on Corporate Live Streaming

See how video production is helping businesses leverage data visualization for sharing corporate visions here
Ultimate Guide to Corporate Event Live Streaming: Corporate Live Streaming Here
Ultimate Guide to Corporate Event Live Streaming: Corporate Communications Here
Ultimate Guide to Corporate Event Live Streaming: Corporate Event Streaming Here
New Trend: Broadcasting from the Boardroom. More here.
Corporate Event Streaming w/ Event Stream Live Interview here.
How to livestream a corporate conference or event here.
How to build an in-house video studio for live streaming here.
How to design a video background in your office here.
Behind the Scenes tour of our conference room with a live streaming system here.
How to setup a teleprompter for your studio talent to deliver great videos here.
Designing 3D models for technology spaces here.
Using a Crestron Control System for complete system control here.
How to sell virtual tickets to your next event here.

Posted by Paul Richards
Back to the Basics, Corporate, Friday Webinars, Live Streaming, NDI, NDI HX, Networking, NewTek, Videos
Corporate Live Streaming, External Live Streaming, Internal Live Streaming, Live Streaming, Local Area Network, Remote Live Streaming
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Choosing the Best Network Switch for NDIⓇ

You’ve just purchased your PTZOptics NDI|HX Cameras. YAY! The fun, however, doesn’t end there. It’s important to have the proper network switch, to ensure smooth performance and optimization with your new system.

Choosing a NewTek NDI LAN

NDI network switch recommendations from Paul Richards

In this presentation, we’ll guide you through what to consider when looking at an NewTek NDI friendly switch. There a lot of considerations that you need to take into account when you are setting up a IP based video production system because everything leverages your network switch. In this video, we break down all the common considerations network engineers are thinking about when they are building a local area network for video production. When we talk about IP-Based video production we are commonly referring to video sources made available for software based switcher like Wirecast, xSplit, OBS or vMix.

The Two BIG Points for Consideration-

The switch must be at least Gigabit
The switches must accommodate mDNS
“Ideally, the switches also will accommodate multicast with IGMPv3

(more…)

Posted by Paul Richards
Live Streaming, NDI, NDI HX, Networking, NewTek, Videos
IP Based Video, Network Switch, NewTek NDI, NewTek NDI Switch
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How to build a Mac-Based Live Streaming System

Today we review how you can build an amazing mac-based live streaming system with Apple computers. We know that many of the creative community and apple users are thinking about adding live streaming and video production gear to their Mac-Based computer systems. So, we decided to break down some of the best “tried and true” ways to add multiple video cameras into your mac supported video streaming software such as: Wirecast, xSplit, OBS and MimoLive. We also discuss how the WebRTC and browser-based live streaming solutions such as Facebook and YouTube Live.

Update to this video: We had to make to corrections in our presentation. 1. xSplit is not available for Mac OS. 2. OBS does not offer pan, tilt and zoom controls in the Mac OS.

Building a Mac based live streaming system from Paul Richards

Live Streaming Software for Mac OS

Live Streaming Software for Mac

First of all let’s review the live streaming software that many people are using on their Mac Computers.

The above software is listed in no particular order, but they all support the latest Mac OS software. OBS aka Open Broadcaster Software actually supports Mac, PC and Linux and it’s completely free. So this is a great piece of software to start with if you are not sure about all the features you need in the beginning of your video production process. Wirecast is a live streaming and video production software that supports both Mac and PC. Wirecast is what I call an “advanced” streaming software, which is a great upgrade to OBS that actually allows you to import your OBS scenes into Wirecast for an easy transition into the more powerful software. Next we have MimoLive which is a Mac only live streaming software designed specifically for Mac users. Since MimoLive is only available for the Mac OS you can expect a tailored experience that the Mac Community really loves. In fact, Boinx Software the creators of MimoLive even won an Apple Developer Design award for their interface. (more…)

Posted by Paul Richards
MAc, MimoLive, NDI, NDI HX, Networking, NewTek, OBS, Wirecast
Apple, Mac, OBS, Wirecast, xsplit
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Low Light Camera Settings for Live Streaming

Low light scenarios can be challenging when producing live streams. We recent streamed a music festival, where we came up with some helpful solutions for this. This video will cover tips for optimizing lighting in low light video production.

180 Degree Shutter Speed Angle Rule

The first basic rule of video that we need to consider is called the “180 Degree Shutter Speed Angle Rule“. This rule says that our frame rate should be half our shutter speed or put another way our shutter speed should be double our frame rate. This rule ensures that our video looks smooth and the closest to what our eyes are used to seeing in real life. If we start to have a shutter speed that is to fast, our images look to clear and crisp. Many people use the “Saving Private Ryan” introductory sequence as an example of where shutter speed and frame rates have been purposely increased to give a feel of extreme detail and super fast crisp video. But if you wave your hand in front of your face you will see that normal eyes will see blurry motion which is what the “180 Degree Shutter Speed Angle Rule” was designed to match.

Assuming, that we are using the 180 Degree Shutter Speed Angle Rule in a low light scenario we realize that usually live streaming video producers will choose 30 frames per second unless there is a real reason to use 60fps. Thirty frames per second are used by live streaming producers to match what is seen on television and cinema. This frame rate allows us to use a shutter speed of 1/60 which lets a lot of light into our video sensor. Now that we have covered frame rate and shutter speed, the last major low light camera exposure setting is aperture. In low light scenarios, you almost always want to open up the iris of your camera as much as you can. This is done by lowering the aperture. On a PTZOptics camera, you would lower the aperture down to 1.4.

: Low Light camera Exposure Settings

: Camera Settings Guide

Camera Exposure Settings for Low Light with Live Video Streaming

The goal for our low light settings is to achieve the ideal exposure from our PTZOptics camera. This is done with a combination of exposure, image and noise reduction settings. If you plan to use software for color correction you may want to setup your camera to output a “flat image” to take full advantage of your sensor. If you do not have access to color correction software you may want to use the camera setting alone. (more…)

Posted by Paul Richards
Color Matching, Friday Webinars, How To, Live Streaming, PTZ, Video Production, Videos, vMix, YouTube Live
Low Light, Noise Reduction
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Portable Live Streaming Equipment Setup

Here’s is how we setup our portable live streaming equipment on site when we leave our studio. In this video, the PTZOptics team shares insights on their portable/mobile live streaming system setup from a recent on-site music festival video production gig. This year the PTZOptics team used the PTZOptics Producer Kit to live stream a multi-camera production using SDI and Ethernet connections to multiple cameras. The SDI connections generally used for uncompressed 1080p30fps video and the ethernet connections are used to power each camera and provide camera control.

: Dual Camera Truss Mount

: Behind the Scenes NDI Camera

: IP PTZ Controls

Portable Live Streaming Equipment Setup

: Portable PTZ Cameras in Travel Case

: Portable SDI Camera Video Input Switcher

As you can see, we used (3) PTZOptics 12X-SDI cameras, one upgraded with the NewTek NDI, along with vMix and the PTZOptics Producer plus Kit. This system is portable and you will see that we used a foam protective case for transporting our PTZ cameras around. This is a Members Mark travel case where we have cut out the foam inside to perfectly fit two PTZOptics cameras. The PTZOptics Producer Kit can be used for mobile applications and setups onsite but we usually recommend purchasing a protective case like the Members Mark. These protective cases can be used to store your live streaming computer, monitors, cables and much more. (more…)

Posted by Paul Richards
Broadcast, Case Studies, Events, Facebook Live, How To, PTZ, PTZ Producer
Mobile, Portable, Portable Live Streaming Equipment
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Affordable Church Live Streaming System

Should Houses of Worship Really Live Stream Services? Absolutely!! In this video, we will show you two affordable church streaming solutions. Plus some great tips to share your Live Streams to your local community.

Tips for Facebook Live Streaming a Church Service

The entire staff of a house of worship works tirelessly each week for a few hours of one day, the day of service. Take advantage of the opportunity to make the most out of your hard work. Live streaming your church services creates a window for the outside world to see what is happening at your church. Whether you are simply rebroadcasting a church service after the fact, or live streaming the event real-time, it’s a great way to increase your churches exposure to the world.

Facebook Checkin for LIve Streaming

Here is a tip that many churches are taking advantage of to help spread the good word about their service. Your target audience is likely local people & friends and family of dedicated current members. Take advantage of that, and geolocation! During services, encourage your members to check into your HOW on social media so family members and friends will be notified of your church, service, and stream. If you’re streaming they’ll then be able to tune in live!

Simple Church Live Streaming System

Finally, if you are looking for a simple live streaming setup for your church there is some good news! The hard part, which is actually the audio system, is usually already in place (at least for most of the churches we have met with). So if you already have a USB audio mixer in place, connect it to your computer as your audio input into the live streaming computer you have in place. You can use most modern Mac or PC computers to perform basic live streaming functions. The PTZOptics 20X-USB is a great choice for live streaming with your church again because it is simply plug and play with your Mac or PC computer.

Posted by Paul Richards
Church, House of Worship, Live Streaming, Networking, PTZ, Video Production, Videos
Church Streaming, Church Streaming on Facebook Tip
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Control PTZ Cameras inside Pro Tools w/ MIDI

Today we are demonstrating how the PTZOptics MIDI Camera Control app integrates with Avid Pro Tools. For this presentation, we step into our Lead Engineers audio recording studio to integrate PTZOptics cameras into his Pro Tools setup using MIDI controls. MIDI is an industry standard for Digital Audio Workstations and the PTZOptics MIDI Camera control application allows producers the ability to synchronize live streaming cameras from within their DAW Software.

Pro Tools MIDI PTZ Camera Controls

Pro Tools MIDI Camera Control Setup

The setup for Pro Tools requires some knowledge of MIDI and using MIDI with the PTZOptics MIDI App. The PTZOptics MIDI app needs to receive the MIDI notes coming from Pro Tools where it then translates unique MIDI notes to PTZ camera presets. In this video, we are using LoopBe on a Windows computer. When using MIDI to send notes from one application to another you basically have two different options. You can set up an internal MIDI loop to share MIDI from one program to another on the same computer OR you can send MIDI over your network to another computer on your network. This process is outlined in the PTZOptics blog here – https://live.ptzoptics.com/case-studies/control-ptz-cameras-midi/.

: Working with Pro tools on MIDI

: Pro Tools MIDI Setup

When you are working with a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software like Pro Tools, you can integrate many different hard solutions into the time line such as Lights, Cameras and even video switchers. There is a very interesting case study that we just finished from a Church using Ableton with Chauvet DJ lights, Blackmagic Video Switchers, Pro Presentor, TouchOSC (touch screen controller) and PTZOptics cameras outlined in our blog here – https://live.ptzoptics.com/church/live-streaming-system-w-ableton-blackmagic-propresenter-touchosc/. It’s interesting to note that for many users connecting Pro Tools with MIDI that PTZ cameras are usually done after other integrations such as lights. (more…)

Posted by Paul Richards
Audio, Camera Control, How To, Video Production, Videos
Avid Pro Tools, DAW, DAW Integration, MIDI, PTZ Control
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Church Live Streaming System w/ Ableton, Blackmagic, ProPresenter and TouchOSC

This case study shares a behind the scenes look at the Keys Vineyard Community Church live streaming and video production setup. This setup uses Ableton to synchronize all of the church song and performances with Pro Presenter to manage the lower thirds musical lyrics overlaid on top of the live video. Using Ableton with a touch screen control software called TouchOSC, Doug Lawes the church media coordinator is able to automate the entire church video production system which includes: Ableton, Blackmagic Video Switcher, Chauvet DJ Lights, PTZOptics Cameras, Pro Presentor and OBS. We promise to release more details on this setup because many churches are interested in learning more.

There is so much that Doug Lawes the church media coordinator has done to make this house of worship audio visual system shine we are already planning a follow up webinar for Friday July 13th, 2018 at 2PM. Doug has agreed to answer questions for our live audience and explain how his system uses OBS, Blackmagic Design Video Switchers, Behringer Audio Mixers, Projectors, PTZOptics cameras and much more.

Ableton Laptop

Ableton Church Video System Automation

Let’s start by looking at the laptop running Ableton which is located on stage in the Keys Vineyard Church. As you can see this Macbook Pro connected to the LAN (Local Area Network). The networking in place allows the Macbook Pro running Ableton to connect to multiple control systems which can operate the lights, turn on a live stream, transition in OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) and much more. Furthermore, each song is setup in Ableton to work with Pro Presentor which allows keeps the entire band in sync with the music but also displays the song lyrics over the live cameras that are being displayed on large projector screens inside the church. (more…)

Posted by Paul Richards
Case Studies, Church, Live Streaming, NDI, Video Production, Videos
blackmagic video switcher, case study, Church, church lighting, church live streaming, House of Worship, TouchOSC
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Control PTZ cameras with Ableton (or any DAW)!

In this video, we discuss how you can control PTZOptics cameras using Ableton or any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Ableton is a Digital Audio Workstation software used by bands, churches, DJ and music producers around the world to create amazing music. But recently, more and more organizations are using the software to control stage lights, projectors, video switchers and now PTZOptics cameras. In an upcoming video, we will speak with, Doug Lawes of Keys Vineyard Community Church shows us how his church integrates OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), Blackmagic ATEM Controls, Pro Presentor and PTZOptics cameras control into his church video production workflow.

PTZ Cameras Control in Ableton

Until then, check out how easily Ableton Live can be used to send MIDI messages directly to the PTZOptics MIDI application designed to recall camera PTZ presets. When it comes to sending MIDI notes to applications on your computer or other computers on your network you have multiple options. The process is slightly different on Mac and PC.

The PTZOptics MIDI Control Interface Software can bridge for up to 120 unique MIDI notes and convert them into PTZ camera position calls. Each note will call a camera presets for up to 12 cameras with 10 presets each. The application works seamlessly with almost any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or MIDI controller.

Heres how

PTZOptics has created an app that assigns midi messages (in this case notes) to camera preset positions or different cameras. This allows you to create an entire chain of events in a perfectly synchronized timeline within your DAW of choice. (more…)

Posted by brian
Audio, Camera Control, Videos
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Control PTZ Cameras with MIDI

Camera controllers can be expensive, and in many cases they require manual control and do not have the ability to synchronize with other hardware or software. Because of this many producers often require an entire team to run live streams, performances, broadcasts and such. PTZOptics is developing new ways to control PTZ cameras with MIDI to solve these problems, and give creators the ability to completely automate their cameras in sync with their favorite hardware and software.