Tech Tuesday: LIVE Streaming Platforms ///Quick REVIEW///
Posted on 15. Dec, 2009 by Birdsong in Community, Hotel
This week I set out to review the different options available for LIVE internet broadcasting. There are a number of options and platforms available. The best advice is to determine YOUR needs and pick the one that suits you best.
Here is my best of list
- USTREAM.tv
- livestream.com
- justin.tv
- Qik.com
- Kyte.tv
Some of these platforms don’t offer services that others do…for example Qik is meant only for mobile phones. while USTREAM allows streaming from a PC or mobile (iphone).
USTREAM
Right now USTREAM is my favorite. It’s really popular and offers some high profile content as well as a ton of user generated LIVE and archived content.
Pros
- You can use flash media live encoder (if you have a fast PC) for HQ broadcasts.
- Easy. Like really f%#ing easy.
- New broadcaster app for iphone allows for spontaneous LIVE streaming (don’t forget to jailbrake and install ‘mobile substrate’ so you can stream over 3g).
Cons
- Limited quality with mac (no plugin).
- Messy UI sort of reminds me of myspace (not a good thing).
- Player app for iphone doesn’t work (that sucks).
- The ‘youtube’ of LIVE internet broadcast (at least for now).
Livestream.com
Pros
- Gorgeous design. Site is beautiful, and easy to navigate.
- Standalone app for mac (can broadcast using h.264).
Cons
- Annoying (video) ads.
- Unreliable recording (archiving) with mac app (to be fair: the mac app is still in beta)
Justin.TV
Pros
- Says it’s compatible with Quicktime Broadcaster (HQ broadcasting for mac)
- Very experimental (lots of lifecasting going on here).
- Nice design.
Cons
- I only got QT Broadcaster working for a minute…(crap).
- Have you ever heard of justin.tv? (now you have).
Qik
Pros
- Qik is pretty awesome.
- Live video from your iphone (jailbroken), and certain Nokia handsets.
- Syndicates really well. Press the red button and it posts to facebook (live and archived video) posts to youtube, twitter, tumblr, etc.
Cons
- Only works on mobile phones.
Kyte
Pros
- OK site design.
- Offers mobile and PC broadcasting.
- Quality seems good.
Cons
- Have you ever heard of kyte?
- Site seems heavily geared to their pay model and a little hard to navigate because of it.
- Hard to navigate to FAQ and other HELP info.
Come back here every tuesday for more technology related reviews and best of lists.
Cheers,
-John Birdsong
