Changes between Version 8 and Version 9 of live-video-streaming-support

Timestamp:

Nov 15, 2018, 1:44:16 PM (5 years ago)

Author:

Jamie McClelland

Comment:

--

live-video-streaming-support

@@ -1 +1 @@
 = Live Video Streaming =
+
+In a hurry, try [wiki:broadcast our quick start broadcast page].
 
 Live video streaming has emerged as a critical component to face-to-face gatherings, particularly international events for which travel is expensive and environmentally destructive. With live video streaming, events that were previously exclusive to people who could afford to travel can be made significantly more inclusive.
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 == The problem with how streaming is currently done ==
 
-Currently the state of video streaming on the Internet revolves mainly around a set of protocols and software commonly referred to as flash. This technology is owned by one company, Adobe. If you have ever watched a video on Youtube or Hulu, you've experienced videos delivered in the flash format (flv files) and/or streamed using Adobe's RTMP protocol. 
-
-In additional to technical limitations of Adobe software, there are critically important political limitations. While the Flash Player is free to download, it is not Free Software in any sense. Flash implements a closed web "standard" for streaming video. Building streaming video based on Flash and RTMP means we are hitching our movement to a single company that neither shares our vision nor is willing to share the development of the technology freely.
+There is an intense political battle being waged over the standards and protocols used for live video streaming. The left gained a huge victory with the defeat of the previous, proprietary and insecure protocol called flash and also with the adoption of the html5 standard for streaming video directly in web browsers. However, unfortunately the new standard for streaming in web browsers did not include the requirement to stream using a free video streaming codec, so this struggle continues.
 
 == Free software and protocols ==
 
-Fortunately, free software (both cost-free and free of intellectual property constraints on sharing) provides technologically superior options for streaming. May First/People Link has [wiki:free-video-streaming-technology a collection of tools using the free OGG video format].
+Fortunately, free software (both cost-free and free of intellectual property constraints on sharing) provides technologically superior options for streaming. May First/People Link has both a [wiki:broadcast simple way for anyone to stream from their web browser] as well as [wiki:free-video-streaming-technology a collection of tools for more advanced users]. We recommend that any member interested in live streaming an event read below for important advice on how to proceed.
 
 == How does streaming work? ==
@@ -26 +26 @@
   * Internet connectivity: You will need some kind of broadband Internet connectivity. Cell phone data plans are a great backup, but not good enough to plan on as the primary Internet connection.
   * Audio: You cannot live video stream an event that is not amplified unless you only have one speaker and will have no questions from the audience. The audio system should allow for an audio out cable that can be made available for the live video stream.
-  * Video camera: you will need at least one cam corder that has firewire output.
-  * Lapotp, with firewire/DV input, running GNU/Linux
+  * Video camera: you can stream with the built-in camera on your laptop or even from your cell phone, but your options will be great limited (no zoom and it's really awkward to point your laptop at someone (especially since you won't be able to see the screen at the same time). You will be much better off getting a real camera with HDMI output and then purchasing a [https://easychurchtech.com/5-great-hdmi-usb-converters-streaming-video/ device that will convert HDMI into a signal that can plug into the USB port on your computer]. 
  * Server side:
   * A server running software that can stream video (May First/People Link maintains two Iceast servers for this purpose)
-  * A web site with an embedded video player (also available through May First/People Link).
 
 A live stream starts with the video camera and audio input. The video signal travels over the Internet to the server running streaming software. 
 
-Meanwhile, viewers visit a web site that is running the embedded video player. Every person who connects to the web site triggers the embedded video player to connect to the streaming server. Every viewer sees the video as it is happening, live (there's a delay about 30 seconds to a minute).
+Meanwhile, viewers visit either the web site of the streaming server or a web site with a tag that embeds the video stream. Every viewer sees the video as it is happening, live (there's a delay about 30 seconds to a minute).
 
 For more technical details, see [wiki:free-video-streaming-technology Free Video Streaming Technology]