The demand for live streaming is increasing and, in an attempt to meet that demand, a number of companies have created apps or capabilities to live stream from devices like your smartphone or tablet. The benefit: it’s cost effective with many of the apps being free to download and free to use. But as appealing as the cost savings are, there are a number of drawbacks that come with this type of equipment.
Lag, Lag and More Lag
The whole purpose of sending an outside broadcast is to be able to share the event, whether it is a newscast or a wedding, with other people. If the video is constantly lagging, slow to load or is unable to load at all, you are going to be losing viewers. This will harm your reputation as a live streaming broadcaster or it will disappoint loved ones who couldn’t be present at a special event and were counting on you to share those moments with them from abroad.
Downtime Can (And Does) Happen
Even the most reliable of outside broadcast transmission apps can fail. This means that:
- a) Viewers will miss out; and
- b) You will miss out because you will be too busy trying to troubleshoot the issue (even though the issue may not even be on your end)
No app or program can guarantee one hundred percent uptime just in case some unexpected event does happen. But by spending a bit more to rent professional outside broadcast equipment, you are largely eliminating the possibility of downtime (and the equipment these providers rent will deliver high quality results).
Only One Video Stream At A Time
Another problem is that most of these apps can only manage one video stream at a time. This gives viewers a very limited perspective of what is happening at an event.
By choosing a company which provides broadcast equipment and specializes in providing an outside broadcast video link, you are able to set up more than one camera (which can be controlled by you or, ideally, a videographer). The multiple incoming video feeds you capture can then be managed by the provider’s control center.
Your Smartphone Battery Won’t Last Forever
These video streaming apps which you download consume a lot of battery power, leaving those shooting the footage from their smartphone with limited time to live stream. Unless the event you are shooting will take half an hour (or less depending on your phone and the other functions which are being used at the same time), then you will run out of battery power before the event is over.
How To Set Yourself Up For Live Broadcasting Success
The most important part to having a successful outdoor broadcast is to come prepared. Investigate your options for non-stop live video coverage and look for those which strike the balance between your budget and the technologies they are able to offer which will deliver fantastic video footage.
Product Manager @ LiveU, a video streaming software provider. Visit us at: www.liveu.tv
