Event Livestreaming

1. Create a Plan

Since live streaming requires several moving parts, it is a good idea to identify your goals and intentions from the start.
Here are a few pieces of live streaming equipment that you will need to invest in:

Answer the following questions:

• What sort of event will you live stream?
• What is the purpose of live streaming that event?
• What do you hope to achieve?
• Will you monetize the event?
• What is your budget?

Once you’ve come up with answers, it is time to create a plan. Create a detailed outline of your vision for the event and determine what tools you’ll need to reach your specific goals.

2. Choose an Online Video Platform

A streaming solution is a platform that hosts your live stream. When considering how to live stream an event, you’ll need to choose a streaming solution that is capable of bringing your vision to life.

Many professional-grade live streaming platforms are equipped with HTML5 video players that are totally white-labeled and can easily be embedded on your website, app, and social platforms. When using one of the professional video streaming platforms, you and your viewers have access to specialized servers and sufficient bandwidth, among many other features, to ensure successful broadcasts.

A professional streaming service can typically handle large volumes of viewers, thereby allowing you to live stream events remotely to reach a larger audience. If your streaming solution uses a global content delivery network, your virtual streaming event stream will also accommodate large volumes of viewers in remote locations around the globe, and the streaming quality will be higher.

In short, the better the service you select–in terms of features, support, and cost–the better the broadcasting experience will be for you and the better the viewing experience will be for your audience.

We recommend taking the time to compare several streaming solutions and to take advantage of free trials, before deciding on the right plan for you. Mslive, for example, offers a feature-rich free trial to give you the chance to test out our service for yourself when comparing against broadcasting alternatives.

There are a few main features to consider when comparing live streaming services.

If you plan to generate revenue from your streams, you’ll want to ensure your streaming video platform offers monetization opportunities. Professional platforms (including Mslive, IBM Cloud Video, and Livestream) offer video monetization features such as pay-per-view, subscription, and advertisements.

Mslive’s secure video paywall, for example, is integrated into the live streaming platform. Another benefit of professional streaming platforms is the absence of unapproved ads. With free broadcasting services, like Youtube, your viewers experience a constant stream of unwanted and untimely advertisements.

Additionally, with a white-label video player, you can create and embed your own watermark or logo onto your original content.

A professional online video platform will provide you with the live online event broadcasting environment you need for a professional set-up and experience.

3. Set Up Broadcasting Equipment

Using a professional-grade camera will yield a high-quality live event stream. Once you’ve chosen the live streaming solution that meets your needs, it is time to consider what sort of recording equipment to invest in.

This is a crucial component for streaming video, and it can be overwhelming to weigh all the options. That said, we recommend taking the time to research a few different options before making a decision. That way, you can be sure the equipment that you invest in is truly the best fit for your streaming goals.

If it’s in your budget, we strongly recommend investing in a fully-featured live streaming camera to ensure a professional-grade streaming experience. A super high-quality camera will pay dividends for your broadcast. Moreover, it will improve the quality of both the audio and visual aspects, which will help to attract and retain new viewers.

We’d like to point out that smaller-scale streams may be able to make do with lower-cost webcams and capture devices. Live streaming a lecture or small conference-style event may not require a hefty investment in professional equipment. It is up to you to determine what sort of streaming quality you need to best suit your audience and deliver your message.

When live streaming with a camera, you often need a capture card to properly convert the video into streamable content. You can purchase a capture card yourself, and then install it on your computer. Once installed, you can plug the camera into the capture card to get ready to stream.

For those of you who are recording live events through your laptop’s webcam and not using a camera, you will most likely not need to purchase a capture card. This is true for most “webcam” methods, as they are already stream-friendly.

Not sure if your webcam is compatible? Simply open Skype on the computer with which you plan to stream. If the video feature shows up, then your computer/webcam does not require a capture card. It is also a good idea to invest in an external microphone to improve the stream’s audio quality. As for microphones, there are a few different ways you can go. We recommend checking out the list of best professional microphones by The Techlounge which is updated for 2021.

When live streaming with a camera, you often need a capture card to properly convert the video into streamable content. You can purchase a capture card yourself, and then install it on your computer. Once installed, you can plug the camera into the capture card to get ready to stream.

For those of you who are recording live events through your laptop’s webcam and not using a camera, you will most likely not need to purchase a capture card. This is true for most “webcam” methods, as they are already stream-friendly.

Not sure if your webcam is compatible? Simply open Skype on the computer with which you plan to stream. If the video feature shows up, then your computer/webcam does not require a capture card.

Required Encoder Setting Configurations

If you’re streaming on Mslive, you must use the following live encoder configurations if you want your stream to work properly.

• VIDEO CODEC: H.264 (x264 may work)
• FRAME RATE: 25 or 30
• KEYFRAME INTERVAL: 2 secs (or 2x frame rate)
• SCANNING: Progressive
• RATE CONTROL: Constant (CBR)
• AUDIO CODEC: AAC-LC
• AUDIO BITRATE: 128 kbps
• AUDIO CHANNELS: 2 (Stereo)
• AUDIO SAMPLE RATE: 48 kHz (48,000 Hz)

5. Input Your Sources

Once you’ve got your encoder setup, it is time to input your source. Source inputs are different for every encoder and online video platform, but this is important for every stream.

At this stage, you must connect your camera, microphone, and any other sources to your encoder or switcher so that they can be incorporated into the stream. Please check out our dedicated guide to multiple source input.

6. Embed Your Stream

With a professional video solution like Mslive, embedding your video player only takes a quick copy-paste. Fortunately, embedding video is quite simple when streaming via a professional service like Mslive. Simply copy the embed code on the live channel that you created and paste the code into the code of your website. That will allow you to share your live event stream wherever you want.

Broadcasters can choose between two embed codes: JS and iframe. Both of these work for playback on your website or app via desktop and mobile devices as long as the content itself supports it. The JS embed code is the default embed code for Mslive, and it supports the most features. This includes being responsive if the elements are designed inside is a different size and working with the referrer restriction feature.

The iframe embed code is the most universally compatible embed code. The caveat is that some features do not work with it. This embed code is not responsive, which means it’s a fixed size. The full-screen feature is also sometimes removed. This usually happens only if you are using iframes within iframes.

If you want the fullest access for your audience when you stream your event, use a professional video hosting service that supports JS embed codes.

7. Do a Test Run

Once you have everything set up to live stream an event, it is time to conduct a test run. Test runs are very important because once you’re live, you have an audience so there it is more difficult to quickly troubleshoot and fix mistakes. The best way to learn how to livestream an event is to practice before the big day.

It is also a good idea to test your streaming setup so that you can identify any weak links so you know where you need to have backup options on hand. With a live stream event, you want to have solid backup options in place.

You should run through your entire stream. Presenters can use this opportunity to practice their parts. This trial run should take place at the same time of the day that you plan to broadcast your streaming event so that you have a good idea of what the lighting will be like.

We also recommend testing your internet speed to make sure that it is sufficient. The upload speed should be about double what you need for your stream. A solid internet connection is vital for a live streamed event.

8. Prepare Your Audience

In order to ensure that you have an audience for your stream, you should promote your stream in advance. Create promotional teasers and post clips on social media. Reach out to your email list, and ask recipients to either RSVP or buy a virtual ticket.

You could also run ads on social media, send press releases to get coverage, and advertise in any other way that you reach your target audience. If you want people to show up to your live stream events, you need to invest in promotion.

9. Start Streaming

It is time to switch your live channel to “Online” and click “Start Streaming.” With that click, you are live. As you present, it is important to stay confident and have fun with the stream.

Encourage viewers to participate if you have a chat or Q&A plugin so that you can keep everybody engaged throughout the event. Live stream events are more entertaining when your audience feels engaged in what is happening.