Live Streaming Basics

Streaming live video is comprised of three parts:

1. The source which is the camera you use for streaming
2. The encoder which is software used on your end to produce the live video and push it to our server for distribution to the world
3. The player that viewers use to watch your video.

SOURCE

• Mini-DV Digital Camcorder
  We recommend using a Mini-DV or Digital8 type camcorder as your source. The Sony DCR-HC52 is a low-cost Mini-DV camcorder that works very well for streaming.
  Be sure your laptop has a 1394 port (also known as FireWire or i.Link) for connecting to your camcorder.
  A big benefit of using a Mini-DV camcorder as your dash cam is being able to record to tape while streaming!
• Analog to DV Converter
  If you have an analog camcorder or HD camcorder without FireWire, you can use an AV-to-DV Converter such as the Canopus ADVC-110 as a source. You connect composite video or s-video cables from your camcorder to the converter, then the converter connects to your laptop via FireWire/1394.
• Webcam
  A high-quality webcam that connects via USB can be an alternative source. However, most USB webcams lack auto-focus and auto-exposure as well as optical zoom.

ENCODER OPTIONS & INSTRUCTIONS
You have the option to use many different encoders with our service. Here are the three we recommend and setup instructions:

• Windows Media Encoder 9 (requires login)
  Free
• Microsoft Expression Encoder 3 (requires login)
  Free
• Telestream Wirecast (requires login)
  $449 List

PLAYERS
SevereStreaming uses the most advanced player technology available in streaming media. We take care of the player side on SevereStudios.com by using the #1 industry-standard player available to webmasters.
Our player is built with Silverlight technology. This allows for secure display of your video, yet still plays standard Windows Media video streams.