Streaming Production Basics
There are five core elements to any streaming production setup:
- Camera or video signal
- Microphone or audio signal
- Video capture or conversion
- Encoding
- Internet connection
Some streaming options combine some or all of these elements into a single device. For example, if you use a mobile phone for streaming, your phone has all five elements built in. For more advanced streaming setups, you may need to combine different hardware and software components to meet your production requirements.
Streaming Configurations
Basic
All streaming elements are integrated into a single device, such as a mobile phone or a laptop.
Advanced
Separate components are used for increased flexibility and specialization across the video production and streaming workflow.
1. Camera or Video Signal
Every live stream begins with capturing a video image. This may come from a built-in camera on your mobile device or laptop, a professional video camera, or the output of a video switcher.
Video Source
- Basic: Built‑in camera on your phone or computer, or a USB camera such as the Logitech C920.
- Advanced: Analog, HDMI, or SDI cameras, or the output of a video switcher, connected through a video capture interface.
2. Microphone or Audio Signal
Capturing clean audio and broadcasting it at the correct level is essential for any stream. Built‑in microphones can work for close‑range recordings, but external microphones placed near the presenter typically deliver better results. Audio can also be sourced directly from a PA system or soundboard.
Audio can be embedded directly into the video signal via the camera, or routed separately into the encoder through computer audio inputs, capture cards, or USB audio interfaces.
Audio Source
- Basic: Built‑in microphone on your camera, mobile device, or computer.
- Advanced: External microphones routed through an audio mixer and fed into the camera, computer, or a hardware encoder.
3. Capture or Conversion
If you use professional cameras or video switchers with software-based encoding, you may need a capture card or capture box. This converts the video signal into a digital format that your encoding software can recognize.
Built‑in cameras, USB cameras, and dedicated hardware encoders do not require additional capture devices.
Capture Setup
- Basic: No capture device required when using a built‑in or USB camera.
- Advanced: Professional cameras require an encoder with built‑in capture or external capture cards or boxes.
4. Encoding
An encoder compresses your video and audio into the correct format for transmission over the internet and sends it to IBM Video Streaming servers. Encoding may be integrated into broadcasting software or handled by dedicated hardware or software encoders in professional workflows.
5. Internet Connection
A reliable internet connection is one of the most critical components of live streaming. Without sufficient upload bandwidth, streaming is not possible.
Before going live, always test your upload speed. Your encoder bitrate should never exceed 50% of your available upload bandwidth.
- Low quality stream: 600–800 kbps upload
- Medium quality stream: minimum 1.5 Mbps upload
- High quality or HD stream: 4 Mbps or higher upload
If you are using IBM Video Streaming’s Web Broadcaster or mobile app and have a strong connection, encoding adjustments may not be necessary. Third‑party encoders or higher‑quality workflows require bandwidth testing and proper bitrate configuration to ensure a stable, high‑quality stream.
Internet Connection
- Basic: 4G, Wi‑Fi, or any available connection.
- Advanced: Wired Ethernet connection with dedicated bandwidth.