Comments on: Lessons Learned from two more Ustream.tv remote webcasts http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/ Sat, 17 May 2008 04:57:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Wesley Fryer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50877 Wesley Fryer Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:35:16 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50877 I have used mainly Sony DV cameras, but a few Canon and Panasonic ones too. The main thing you want to look for is features, I think. For a reasonably low price point (around $300 or less) I'd recommend you look for a mini-DV tape camera, a mic plug that accepts an external microphone, a headphone plug so you can monitor audio levels, and a DV/firewire port. I've done all my webcasting using a Macintosh, so the firewire port is key. That should be standard on all DV cameras, but I think some are using USB now. The low-end Sony DV camera is what I have now, but it doesn't support an external microphone, and that is a disadvantage. I hope this helps. I have used mainly Sony DV cameras, but a few Canon and Panasonic ones too. The main thing you want to look for is features, I think. For a reasonably low price point (around $300 or less) I’d recommend you look for a mini-DV tape camera, a mic plug that accepts an external microphone, a headphone plug so you can monitor audio levels, and a DV/firewire port. I’ve done all my webcasting using a Macintosh, so the firewire port is key. That should be standard on all DV cameras, but I think some are using USB now. The low-end Sony DV camera is what I have now, but it doesn’t support an external microphone, and that is a disadvantage. I hope this helps.

]]> By: Bill Cooey http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50873 Bill Cooey Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:34:02 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50873 Awesome tips. I am just getting into webcasting. Can you suggest a good external dv camera to use? thanks in advance! bc Awesome tips. I am just getting into webcasting. Can you suggest a good external dv camera to use?

thanks in advance!
bc

]]> By: Lightning in a Bottle » Blog Archive » Do-it-yourself Broadcasting http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50182 Lightning in a Bottle » Blog Archive » Do-it-yourself Broadcasting Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:06:09 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50182 [...] Fryer used this system last week to broadcast live presentations from the Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. Using a cellular data modem, a laptop and camcorder, he was able to set up anywhere he could [...] […] Fryer used this system last week to broadcast live presentations from the Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. Using a cellular data modem, a laptop and camcorder, he was able to set up anywhere he could […]

]]> By: Wesley Fryer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50082 Wesley Fryer Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:20:20 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50082 Excellent-- thanks for the tips on the external power sources. That is what we were missing in Pearl Harbor in December for the USS Oklahoma memorial dedication. Excellent– thanks for the tips on the external power sources. That is what we were missing in Pearl Harbor in December for the USS Oklahoma memorial dedication.

]]> By: Wesley Fryer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50061 Wesley Fryer Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:32:48 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50061 Stephen: I'm delighted you found this quality watchable-- I was very glad to find the audio quality much improved over our initial two attempts-- it would be good to have better video quality, but as in videoconferencing I find poor audio much less tolerable than poor video. In terms of cables and ports, the firewire cable is one I purchased at Best Buy, that is a 6 pin to 4 pin version. I think <a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5689089&type=product&id=1055389307532" rel="nofollow">this 6' one is what I have.</a>. The 4 pin end (smaller connection) plugs into the "iLink" port of the Sony Camcorder that is on the right side at the front where the other AV out ports are, and the 6 pin end plugs into the firewire port of my Macbook. To select the video source in Ustream, you can do this within the "broadcast now" window. I created an annotated screenshot to show the settings: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wfryer/2331788772/" title="uStream.Tv Video, Audio and Quality Settings by Wesley Fryer, on Flickr" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2134/2331788772_fb2387b01c.jpg" width="500" height="354" alt="uStream.Tv Video, Audio and Quality Settings" /></a> I have no idea why the built-in iSight camera works when "USB Class Video Device" is selected, but it does... I learned that in November thanks to <a href="http://jenuinetech.com/blog/" rel="nofollow">Jenn Wagner</a> providing tech support via twitter just prior to my TechForum Southwest presentation. :-) In the screenshot I drew arrows showing where you can ratchet the audio and video quality up and down too. I know theoretically some Sony camcorders are supposed to support web streaming via a USB connection, but I think that works on Windows platforms only and I have not attempted that. At least 3 or 4 years ago I messed around briefly with <a href="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/broadcaster/" rel="nofollow">QuickTime Broadcaster</a>, but at the time you had to configure a QuickTime Streaming Server as a 'reflector' for the stream and I didn't spend enough time / have other help to figure that out. The person I know who has the most successful experience using QuickTime Broadcaster and the QuickTime Streaming Server is Lance Ford, who is the director of technology for <a href="http://www.howeschools.org/" rel="nofollow">Howe Public Schools</a> in SE Oklahoma. Lance was the genius behind <a href="http://okwwii.wetpaint.com/page/Videoconference+6+Dec+2007" rel="nofollow">our live videoconferences from Pearl Harbor in December</a> for the USS Oklahoma Memorial dedication. Those particular videoconferences were done using <a href="http://tandberg.com/" rel="nofollow">Tandberg</a> hardware videoconferencing codecs, but Lance took the video stream itself and had it reflected through a QTTS sitting on a large bandwidth connection in another location. Having had some experiences working with webcasts, Ustream is absolutely AMAZING that it works in such a straightforward way, and that requires so little in the way of hardware and software. I have not yet attempted a Ustream broadcast from a Windows computer, so I can't speak to whether this is as straightforward there or not. I have generally had great luck using iLink/firewire cameras with Macs using different programs, so that is why I was pretty sure my camcorder would work with this configuration. I don't know why the browser crash issues were there, but again we did figure out how to work around that. Let me know if you have more questions. I'm very glad to share these details, I hope we'll see more people sharing live webcasts like these in the future, not only from conferences but also from "remote field trip" locations too. It is exciting that cell network connectivity is improving to the point where broadcasts like this are a viable possibility in many locations. Stephen: I’m delighted you found this quality watchable– I was very glad to find the audio quality much improved over our initial two attempts– it would be good to have better video quality, but as in videoconferencing I find poor audio much less tolerable than poor video.

In terms of cables and ports, the firewire cable is one I purchased at Best Buy, that is a 6 pin to 4 pin version. I think this 6′ one is what I have.. The 4 pin end (smaller connection) plugs into the “iLink” port of the Sony Camcorder that is on the right side at the front where the other AV out ports are, and the 6 pin end plugs into the firewire port of my Macbook.

To select the video source in Ustream, you can do this within the “broadcast now” window. I created an annotated screenshot to show the settings:

uStream.Tv Video, Audio and Quality Settings

I have no idea why the built-in iSight camera works when “USB Class Video Device” is selected, but it does… I learned that in November thanks to Jenn Wagner providing tech support via twitter just prior to my TechForum Southwest presentation. :-) In the screenshot I drew arrows showing where you can ratchet the audio and video quality up and down too.

I know theoretically some Sony camcorders are supposed to support web streaming via a USB connection, but I think that works on Windows platforms only and I have not attempted that. At least 3 or 4 years ago I messed around briefly with QuickTime Broadcaster, but at the time you had to configure a QuickTime Streaming Server as a ‘reflector’ for the stream and I didn’t spend enough time / have other help to figure that out. The person I know who has the most successful experience using QuickTime Broadcaster and the QuickTime Streaming Server is Lance Ford, who is the director of technology for Howe Public Schools in SE Oklahoma. Lance was the genius behind our live videoconferences from Pearl Harbor in December for the USS Oklahoma Memorial dedication. Those particular videoconferences were done using Tandberg hardware videoconferencing codecs, but Lance took the video stream itself and had it reflected through a QTTS sitting on a large bandwidth connection in another location.

Having had some experiences working with webcasts, Ustream is absolutely AMAZING that it works in such a straightforward way, and that requires so little in the way of hardware and software.

I have not yet attempted a Ustream broadcast from a Windows computer, so I can’t speak to whether this is as straightforward there or not. I have generally had great luck using iLink/firewire cameras with Macs using different programs, so that is why I was pretty sure my camcorder would work with this configuration. I don’t know why the browser crash issues were there, but again we did figure out how to work around that.

Let me know if you have more questions. I’m very glad to share these details, I hope we’ll see more people sharing live webcasts like these in the future, not only from conferences but also from “remote field trip” locations too. It is exciting that cell network connectivity is improving to the point where broadcasts like this are a viable possibility in many locations.

]]> By: Ustreamtech http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50056 Ustreamtech Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:42:15 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50056 Excellent points and commentary, in fact with your permission I will use your "lessons learned" in my own Ustream help show when asked. A couple of comments adding my own two cents worth. 110 volt power can sometimes be an obstacle, and running extension cords can present a trip hazard and some potential liabilty. I like to use one of the 12 volt battery packs (Black and Decker, and numerous others) available from any of the large retailers, i.e. Home Depot, Lowes, etc. and an 110 volt inverter. These typically are in the 50 to 200 amp/hour range and with a 400 watt inverter can power your equipment literally for days. (depending on load). Any wheeled appliance (luggage, Ice Chests, or two wheeled dolly can make lugging the equipment around a snap. This also eliminates any concerns about extension cords. One comment: if any kind of water is expected use a Poratble GFCI for safety. Pesonally I like EVDO (where else can you get unlimited bandwidth for 60 bucks a month) but any cell based device can have problems in metal and concrete structures. Use a High Power cellular repeater or an internet appliance like a Sonic Wall Access point (Wi-fi)can blast a signal through almost anything, Most wireless capapble routers can even be set up to act as a repeater with a little modification (google dd wrt). So In that vein the tricks, tips and techniques available in using Ustream are numerous and will solve most every problem so feel free to contact ustream in the manner that best suits you or your veiwers. Besides email you may also post in the forums or stop in and visit one of our live community channels http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ustream-users-community-forum or http://tinyurl.com/2zadfd or http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aeiz or http://www.ustream.tv/channel/fireman17-tv Excellent points and commentary, in fact with your permission I will use your “lessons learned” in my own Ustream help show when asked. A couple of comments adding my own two cents worth. 110 volt power can sometimes be an obstacle, and running extension cords can present a trip hazard and some potential liabilty.
I like to use one of the 12 volt battery packs (Black and Decker, and numerous others) available from any of the large retailers, i.e. Home Depot, Lowes, etc. and an 110 volt inverter. These typically are in the 50 to 200 amp/hour range and with a 400 watt inverter can power your equipment literally for days. (depending on load). Any wheeled appliance (luggage, Ice Chests, or two wheeled dolly can make lugging the equipment around a snap. This also eliminates any concerns about extension cords. One comment: if any kind of water is expected use a Poratble GFCI for safety.
Pesonally I like EVDO (where else can you get unlimited bandwidth for 60 bucks a month) but any cell based device can have problems in metal and concrete structures. Use a High Power cellular repeater or an internet appliance like a Sonic Wall Access point (Wi-fi)can blast a signal through almost anything, Most wireless capapble routers can even be set up to act as a repeater with a little modification (google dd wrt).

So In that vein the tricks, tips and techniques available in using Ustream are numerous and will solve most every problem so feel free to contact ustream in the manner that best suits you or your veiwers. Besides email you may also post in the forums or stop in and visit one of our live community channels
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ustream-users-community-forum or http://tinyurl.com/2zadfd
or http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aeiz
or http://www.ustream.tv/channel/fireman17-tv

]]> By: Stephen Downes http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50051 Stephen Downes Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:18:05 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50051 I hear you about the microphone. That said, the video quality is better than you might think. Although the picture quality isn't great, the sound is fine, and that makes it quite watchable. Anyhow, about the camera - you simply plugged it into your computer (I assume a MacBook, since you have an iSight) using a firewire cable? What kind of connection was on the other end - where did you plug it into the camera? Also, how precisely did you select this camera for use with UStream? Was this in the Flash settings? I ask because I've tried to use video cameras and have had utterly no success getting them to feed video into computers - so I'm wondering whether you have to buy a special kind of video camera, use a special connection, or ... well, I don't know. I hear you about the microphone. That said, the video quality is better than you might think. Although the picture quality isn’t great, the sound is fine, and that makes it quite watchable.

Anyhow, about the camera - you simply plugged it into your computer (I assume a MacBook, since you have an iSight) using a firewire cable? What kind of connection was on the other end - where did you plug it into the camera?

Also, how precisely did you select this camera for use with UStream? Was this in the Flash settings?

I ask because I’ve tried to use video cameras and have had utterly no success getting them to feed video into computers - so I’m wondering whether you have to buy a special kind of video camera, use a special connection, or … well, I don’t know.

]]> By: Wesley Fryer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50048 Wesley Fryer Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:40:34 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50048 Yes. It was the low-end Sony Handycam, I think it cost about $300 a couple of years ago. Now the <a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665335432" rel="nofollow">Sony DCR-HC52 MiniDV</a> is probably the closest thing they sell to what I have and used. I don't like the fact that mine does not have an external mic port, however. I also learned at the Sony Store in Crystal City that Sony has a new hotshoe technology for their camcorders that looks very good. At some point I'm interested in getting a more capable camcorder that would support more advanced microphone options like the <a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11038016" rel="nofollow">ECM-HGZ1 Shotgun Microphone</a> ($70 US) or the <a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11037894" rel="nofollow">WCS-999 Wireless Microphone System</a> ($150 US.) The shotgun mic requires the new hotshoe technology which I think may just be on the newer (and much more expensive) HD camcorders, record to DVD camcorders, and camcorders which have their own hard drives they record to instead of tape. The Sony wireless mic has a standard mic jack, so it should work with any standard 1/8" mic input jack. I think for the video quality you get with Ustream, basically any DV camcorder should work. As a backup and to have a higher-quality version, it would be good to record the webcast locally onto tape. We didn't do that, but it would have been a good idea, especially since the video quality of these last two webcasts was VERY poor. I think there is probably even more value in asynchronously recording and sharing "on site" remote video of locations than sharing them live, but the "live webcast" aspect has an excitement appeal that makes it potentially more engaging (or perhaps "enthralling") for students. I hope this additional info is helpful. Yes. It was the low-end Sony Handycam, I think it cost about $300 a couple of years ago. Now the Sony DCR-HC52 MiniDV is probably the closest thing they sell to what I have and used. I don’t like the fact that mine does not have an external mic port, however. I also learned at the Sony Store in Crystal City that Sony has a new hotshoe technology for their camcorders that looks very good. At some point I’m interested in getting a more capable camcorder that would support more advanced microphone options like the ECM-HGZ1 Shotgun Microphone ($70 US) or the WCS-999 Wireless Microphone System ($150 US.) The shotgun mic requires the new hotshoe technology which I think may just be on the newer (and much more expensive) HD camcorders, record to DVD camcorders, and camcorders which have their own hard drives they record to instead of tape. The Sony wireless mic has a standard mic jack, so it should work with any standard 1/8″ mic input jack.

I think for the video quality you get with Ustream, basically any DV camcorder should work. As a backup and to have a higher-quality version, it would be good to record the webcast locally onto tape. We didn’t do that, but it would have been a good idea, especially since the video quality of these last two webcasts was VERY poor. I think there is probably even more value in asynchronously recording and sharing “on site” remote video of locations than sharing them live, but the “live webcast” aspect has an excitement appeal that makes it potentially more engaging (or perhaps “enthralling”) for students.

I hope this additional info is helpful.

]]> By: Stephen Downes http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50047 Stephen Downes Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:57:25 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/12/lessons-learned-from-two-more-ustreamtv-remote-webcasts/#comment-50047 Can you tell me exactly what kind of video camera you used? Can you tell me exactly what kind of video camera you used?

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