Live broadcasting vs. video conferencing
The word “live streaming” is often used as an umbrella term that can encompass anything from a Zoom meeting over wifi on your laptop to an Instagram concert streamed over your phone’s network. Ryan’s first piece of advice for people thinking about virtual events is to determine if their live stream is better suited as a video conference, a live broadcast, or a mix of the two. “This is one of the most common questions we’re fielding right now with people who are relatively new to the live streaming space,” Ryan says. “I think right now a lot of people are getting confused because ‘live streaming’ can be a bit of a catch-all when it comes to the video space.” Ryan digs into a lot in the recording, but in short, live broadcasts offer:- An optimized experience for a one-to-many audience
- Improved visuals
- Better storage, sharing, and management
- More reliability and scalability for large audiences
- Is optimized for one-to-one (or one-to-some) video interaction
- Can be tricky to access and secure for viewers
- Has limited quality A/V outputs
- Is not built for long-term storing or sharing
“It’s really important that before any live event that you take a step back and think about some of these questions,” he says. “Are you trying to reach a defined audience, or is it a wider scope? Does it have to be limited to a few people in a secure way, or can it be available to everybody?”
Looking for more guiding questions to determine whether video conferencing or live broadcasting is best for your event? Jump to the “Video conferencing vs. live broadcasting” chapter of the recording above.Remote broadcasting insights + tips
One challenge we’re all facing right now is managing our workload — including live broadcasts! — while we do the right thing and stay home. For this broadcast, our on-screen talent were based in Washington, DC and London, while I was posted up in New York. That’s almost 4,000 miles between the three of us. If you’re collaborating with a similarly distributed workforce on a live streamed event, there are some key factors to consider:- Connectivity: Chances are your company’s office wifi is better than what you have at home. Check your speeds and, when possible, use a wired connection.
- Capture: How will your audience enjoy your content? Think about what cameras and mics you’ll use, and how you’ll bring in remote guests to your virtual event.
- Encode: What software will you use to bring your event into the internet ether? We’re keen on Livestream Studio 6, but there are other options out there, too.
- Distribute: Where will your virtual event live? Think about whether you’ll want to secure the content (like with SSO), or spread far and wide (think simulcasting).
- Engage: A beautiful viewing experience is only part of what makes a great virtual event. Audience engagement tools like live Q&A, polls, and chat can further create a memorable event.