Who would have thought that a device that was developed to solely provide voice communication would evolve into an indispensable tool capable of housing the whole world within its walls?
And yet, amongst the many functions that present-day smartphones have been developed to host, one of the most incredible, is live video. Live video streaming was once considered an elite, expensive affair tethered to exorbitantly priced equipment and advanced protocols.
But with the dawn of superior handheld devices, live video has become more mainstream than ever before. There are two primary technologies that you will need in order to employ a professional live stream: one, a live video streaming framework and two, a live video production tool. Our top picks for these are StreamNow and Live:Air respectively. This combination currently applies to live streams on iPhones and iPads and is catching on as one of the most economical ways to conduct a live stream swiftly and effortlessly.
Here’s how you can get started with live streaming on your handheld device.
Step 1. Create a Live Streaming Framework
Or don’t. In fact, the best way to establish a live streaming software is by purchasing one that has been perfected. Conversely, if you were to set one up on your own, you’d spend thousands of dollars and a huge amount of man hours getting your live video streaming software going. Stream Now is a custom-made video streaming framework designed to let you integrate live streaming onto your website at lightning-fast speeds.
Step 2. Seek a Live Video Production Tool
Live:Air is a smart tool that lets you build a live streaming ecosystem around your existing device. Your iPad, for instance doubles up as a production switcher during a live stream, capable of receiving inputs from multiple cameras. Live:Air then lets you toggle among streams, add captions and finally, carry your feed right up to the underlying live stream software held together by StreamNow. Media can be carried from your smartphone in real-time at 1080p full high definition.
Step 3. Decide on Your Application
Ask yourself where you will use your newly acquired live stream software. Live streams are versatile and can fit an array of roles if used well. If you’re in education, for instance, a live video streaming software could facilitate remote, real-time learning, with teachers plugging live stream software into their smartphones. The application of live video streaming software is also far-sweeping in fast-paced sectors like broadcasting, media and journalism, where footage ought to be captured quickly, in real-time and in high quality. The user interface of Live:Air is simple and straightforward, with handy panels appearing along the sides of the screen for navigation.
Step 4. Tweak Your Video Inputs
Single-phone coverage is useful if you’re on the go and you don’t mind capturing streams from a single angle. However, Live:Air gives you the option of attaching up to four video sources to your live stream software that don’t necessarily have to be iOS-backed.
Step 5. Add an Audio Source
Your video sources come with inbuilt audio components which are instantly activated upon installation. However, if you are keen on augmenting the sound of your video, consider adding stand-alone audio tools via bluetooth or a lightning cable. Live:Air lets you control the audio levels and frequency of each audio source individually. Once you have your video and audio sources integrated into your live video streaming software, Live:Air lets you shuffle between them in real-time through a easy-to-use app.
Step 6. Include Transitions
Step up your live streaming game by adding fluid transitions between distinct visual and sound components within the stream.
Step 7. Establish Your Own Live Stream Identity
By picking a stand-alone live video streaming software like StreamNow, you can create a unique web property for yourself on the internet. Connect your Live:Air feeds to StreamNow using an RTMP server. Remember to adjust your settings for resolution, frame rate, keyframe interval and adaptive bit rate.
Step 8. Pick a Sturdy Device
While StreamNow works well with any generation of Android and iOS, Live:Air work best on the iPad Air, iPad Mini 2 and iPad Pro. That said, remember that iPad Minis are incapable of carrying a stream at 1080p. If you use an older generation iPad, you may experience lags while streaming. The ideal device for a live stream is the iPad Pro. If you’d rather broadcast from your iPhone, the Live:Air Solo app is your answer. Even from your phone, you can toggle between sources, adjust audio settings, tweak colour composition and alter images.
Smartphones have put a whole new spin to conventional video streaming, allowing broadcasters to stream from anywhere with just a phone. Creating experiences for users from afar has become a favoured activity for millennials. Whether it is capturing elements of wanderlust, creating streams for a media portal or building a loyal fan base purely for interaction, the power of live streaming is unparalleled. Best of all, it now lies in the palm of your hand.
