We’ve spent over a decade studying how one can make stay streaming simpler, higher, and extra highly effective. That’s why we launched Wowza Skilled Providers a couple of years again, and it’s why we offer steerage and help for broadcasters streaming stay occasions as a part of that providing.

When clients leverage stay occasion assist, our streaming consultants assist arrange, optimize, and monitor their streams. We’re in a position to check out a given streaming situation upfront in order that our clients have peace of thoughts when going stay.

The largest tip that I give broadcasters is to set it and overlook it.

You’d be amazed by the variety of occasions our crew configures every little thing upfront, just for the broadcaster to make tweaks that compromise the stream. The worth of stay occasion assist is that we care for setup, and also you don’t have to make any modifications. It’s a type of conditions the place much less is certainly extra.

Why Do You Want Stay Occasion Assist?

So why would you want stay occasion assist? As a result of there’s all the time an opportunity for one thing to go improper. And as we speak’s viewers received’t let you already know if stream high quality is missing. They’ll merely tune out.  

Say the digital camera disconnects and viewers are left with a clean display. Or maybe the community fluctuates, leading to a prolonged buffer. The trail to the content material supply community (CDN) is also incorrect, or the safety token may be arrange improperly. Any of those situations would go away viewers pissed off. Even dangerous press may outcome, which is why we advocate for testing like loopy earlier than the occasion takes place.

Finest Practices for Stay Occasions

1. Streaming Configurations

We’ll make some particular tweaks based mostly in your location, supply, and broadcast specifics. However usually, we implement the encoding greatest practices detailed in our documentation. To tell our strategy, we accumulate the next info:

1. Time, venue, and period of the occasion
2. Codecs and encoders getting used
3. Video enter decision and body fee
4. Web connection specifics (similar to whether or not you’re utilizing a devoted community)
5. Anticipated supply protocol
6. Closed caption necessities
7. Safety Necessities
8. Anticipated viewer rely

2. Check, Check, Check + Set It and Overlook It

From there, the very best practices are twofold: check, check, check + set it and overlook it. We’ll care for the testing and setting — you’re in command of the forgetting.

What to Count on When Utilizing Stay Occasion Assist

As I’ve famous, the best worth in stay occasion assist happens previous to the precise broadcast once we conduct a workflow assessment, optimization, and testing. We’re additionally in a position to stroll by way of troubleshooting steps as a way to tackle problems rapidly ought to they happen.

From there, we’ll proceed to assist you in the course of the occasion and after. Right here’s an inventory of what to anticipate at every step.

Earlier than an Occasion

The distant pre-event session and check usually happens 24 hours previous to the occasion. Prospects can speak by way of every little thing with our engineers and acquire confidence of their workflow.

What to anticipate:

• Evaluation the workflow necessities and present configurations utilizing a pre-event guidelines
• Optimize configurations per greatest practices and workflow necessities and clarify any modifications
• Validate configurations
• Reply all questions
• Check the total workflow and monitor for any issues

Throughout an Occasion

In the course of the occasion, we’re out there to observe and help as wanted.

What to anticipate:

• Examine audio and video earlier than going stay
• Reply all questions
• Remotely talk through a video chat in the course of the period of the occasion to supply any help and think about the broadcaster’s desktop
• If points are recognized, we offer subsequent steps towards investigation and mitigation

After an Occasion

By conducting a autopsy assembly, we’re in a position to make sure that you’re glad with how every little thing went.

What to anticipate:

• Evaluation issues (if any)
• Reply any remaining questions

Conclusion

Want extra info? Right here’s what a few of our clients say about stay occasion assist from Wowza.

It’s easy: By working with our streaming consultants, you’re in a position to concentrate on enterprise fairly than stream configurations. For those who’re thinking about leveraging stay occasion assist in your upcoming broadcasts, contact us as we speak and we’ll get began.

Information: Easy methods to Stream Stay Occasions

Obtain PDF

Extra Sources:

• Case Examine: Freeman
• Video: The Stay Occasion Panorama in 2021
• Report: Streaming Challenges and Optimization Wants

About Barry Owen

Barry Owen is Wowza’s resident video streaming knowledgeable and vp of options engineering. On this function, he leads a crew devoted to serving to clients succeed. From architecting customized functions to fixing advanced issues, Barry leverages greater than 25 years… View extra