Options for Video Streaming
Understanding and applying the technology to volleyball

How does live streaming work?
• A camera sends a video signal to a computer
(usually a laptop).

How does live streaming work?
• The computer “encodes” the video signal into a smaller, more easily transmitted file.
– Normal video is 640 x 480 pixels and 30 frames/sec.

How does live streaming work?
• Streamed video is usually reduced to at least half size and half the frame rate (320x240 at
15fps).
This would be a quarter TV screen and look a little jumpy but is pretty darn good for streaming (webcasting).

How does live streaming work?
• As the computer shrinks the file, it is sent over the internet to a streaming server.
• A streaming server is a powerful computer with lots of internet bandwidth.
– You could only get about a dozen viewers on your typical high-speed cable modem.

How does live streaming work?
• The streaming server re-broadcasts the feed to users who are viewing on the internet.

How does live streaming work?
• The server can even offer several different sizes that require different amounts of bandwidth.
• 128K small, can be a little shaky/jumpy least expensive.
• 256K A little larger, smoother.
• 375K Even larger, smoother.
• 512K Looks pretty good. Large. Most expensive.

Live streaming shopping list
• A video camera
– Almost any kind will do as long as there is a way to send the signal from the camera into the laptop.
– The most typical signal is firewire.
Most modern video cameras have a firewire port. Sony calls it iLink.

Live streaming shopping list
• A computer to capture the video signal and send it to the streaming server.
– Usually a laptop with a firewire port or you can get a cheap firewire card.
– Should be relatively new, powerful enough to resize the video signal to a smaller stream quickly.

Live streaming shopping list
• Capture/Streaming software
– Runs on the laptop to compress the video signal and transmit it to the streaming server.
– Available for Mac & PC.
– Usually low cost.
Try http://all-streaming-media.com

Live streaming shopping list
• A human with a microphone
– Streams are better if there is someone who can commentate or at least call out the score.
– They can also move/zoom the camera during time outs.

Live streaming shopping list
• High speed internet in the Gym
– Usually wireless.
– Needs to be fast enough (756 KB or more).

Live streaming shopping list
• Local streaming server or Commercial Server

Live streaming shopping list
• Local streaming server
– Campus IT “might” have one or can build one.
– Best option if your school has bandwidth since you can make it free to viewer and use free software.
– Your IT department needs to have a clue.

Live streaming shopping list
• Commercial server
– Usually charge per viewer or per megabyte downloaded.
$
– More simple since they provide all software and server configurations.
– Not as good for recruiting since payment required.
– Some sites offer free streaming like www.vidiac.com
.
• They insert commercials to pay for it. Not verified.

Using YouTube
A free, easy to use method that might be good enough.

Using YouTube
• Register for free account at youtube.com
• Allows free 10 minute clips to be uploaded.
• Can capture video live or later from camera.
• Leverages YouTube’s enormous bandwidth for free.

Using YouTube

Using YouTube
• Doesn’t stream in real time.
• Clips must be captured or uploaded in 10 minute segments.
• Clips available about 10 minutes after upload.
• Requires a person to start new capture every ten minutes.

Using YouTube
• Sample video upload: http://www.youtube.com/UniversityAthlete
• Choose UA Seminar

Questions?