1. Introduction to Live Streaming
What should you look for in a live stream service? When choosing the right equipment for live streaming Singapore, you need to consider how you capture group video feeds. In fact, the quality of your live stream is critically important. With a small budget, the quality needs to be as high as possible. The most popular way of creating a live stream is to use video capture cards that are installed into the cameras for multiple cameras. The result is 1 feed in but many video outputs. With 4, 16, or 32 cameras, you can send many video feeds over the Internet. Each camera should capture audio and video separately. Once the video is captured, multiple videos can be put together to watch it streams or transferred to another device that is left running. Other features and options can be added, including text overlays or preset looping that can be used to call attention to a particular video feed.
Introduction to live streaming With the substantial rise in bandwidth, you can now broadcast live videos to large peer groups online. This has made it easy to use live streaming to promote your products and services. Live streaming holds a lot of promise and is thus a progressively more popular type of marketing. But first of all, what is it? If you have been using social media sites like Facebook and Instagram, then you have probably heard of live streaming. But there is more to it than just live streaming something that is as random as what you eat. Live streaming is similar to television broadcasting, insofar as you are limited in your choices to channels. And you can do a lot more than just give live streaming a hat tip.
Choosing the right equipment for live streaming in Singapore
1.1. Definition and Importance of Live Streaming
Here are some statistics that illustrate the importance of live streaming: a) In 2016, Facebook has stated that users were three times more likely to invest in a video, rather than text or photo content. It is stated that 75% of all mobile data will be video by 2023. b) According to a CISCO forecast, video is expected to account for 82% of all internet traffic by 2022! This means that by 2022, 17,000 hours of video (equivalent of two years) will travel through IP networks (a network that uses the Internet Protocol as the standard transport mechanism). c) Other data demonstrate the importance of live streaming for companies that have their pages on social networks. A Sprout Social survey revealed that nearly 80% of consumers would rather connect to the internet with a live video than read a text, and at least one in five consider it “essential”.
Have you ever conducted a live video call or conference from your phone? If so, then you have already experienced live streaming. In simple terms, live streaming refers to delivering live video and audio coverage to an audience over the internet. Live streaming is currently the most popular type of information available on the web. For the purpose of this book, we are considering live streaming to the Facebook Live option. Although there are so many providers out there, Facebook Live is a good benchmark because of its ease of use and the broad target audience of viewers who already use Facebook. When the video is complete, it is automatically published to the user’s timeline, thus making it available for others who were not watching it live.
2. Understanding Live Streaming Equipment
However, in order to ensure that the live stream runs at a high quality without any glitches, it is essential to use the right equipment. The type of equipment that is used depends on several factors. These include the type of content that is being streamed, the location of the live stream, and the quality of the internet connection that is available. A high-quality, speedy connection will provide better results, including a higher resolution.
In the early days of live streaming, the broadcast quality was often choppy and the stream kept freezing. At times, users were even kicked out of the session or were unable to connect in the first place. However, with improvements in technology, it is now possible to run live streams at very high-quality levels. As long as a reliable internet connection is used, users will have no problems viewing the content. This has led to an explosion in the number of people watching live video streaming in Singapore.
2.1. Camera Options
Camera Quality Settings – Check if you can independently adjust the image settings before you select a live streaming camera. Automatic ISO shifts and the adjustment of white balance settings can be performed in some models. Signal output options inactive during recording are also available with other models. Dedicated record options will never go into hibernation, so you need unrestricted access to the A/V output ports.
Sensor Size – Large sensors are best for live streaming as they provide better image quality in low light conditions and give better background blur or bokeh. The difference in quality is particularly noticeable when using cameras that have high ISO settings. With a larger pixel count, large sensors also produce better results at high resolutions.
In recent years, numerous cameras have been launched which are capable of streaming live video. More traditional video cameras usually require additional production equipment to make them ready for live streaming. DSLR and mirrorless cameras are compact alternatives that can easily be converted using only a few accessories. With a dedicated A/V output, a GoPro action cam can also be used. Here is a summary of the areas to be aware of when selecting your camera for a live streaming setup:
2.2. Microphone Selection
When you are looking for a webcam or a camcorder, look for one that has a microphone input jack. If a webcam or camcorder does not have a microphone input jack, there is no need to read the remainder of what the author has to say about using a webcam or camcorder to record speech or sound. We also post the videos that are compiled from the materials that are captured using the camcorders that have a microphone input jack. This is a technical way to make the viewer take notice of equipment recommendations. The videos are certainly not polished products that are completed within 15 minutes.
Assuming that you are planning to make videos that contain speech or music, you need to decide between using a standalone microphone that you can place directly in front of the person speaking or singing, or using the microphones that are built into most webcams and camcorders. The author will first cover using webcams and camcorders. Then the author will cover using standalone microphones. Based on the issues that the author had faced, the author highly recommends using standalone microphones to record speech or music for video.
2.3. Lighting Considerations
Before you go out and buy a lot of lighting equipment, consider starting with the lighting setup that you already have. You may have some floor or desk lamps that can add light to your space. You can add in the extra light bulbs that you have for these lamps to get the light level up if the current bulbs are not working well. As a general rule, high output light bulbs will give you more brightness. LED lights are a good choice for this purpose. They throw off less heat, making them more comfortable for the subject. They also usually have a longer life. Halogen lights are the best choice for filling out your lighting setup. They add some warmth to your space and make the people in the frame look warmer. While they do create some heat, it is far less than the heat generated by video lights, for instance.
Lighting will be a key consideration for your live streaming setup. If your viewers cannot clearly see you, they will not engage with your content. You should thus plan to add extra lighting to your live streaming space before you begin the broadcast. There are many lighting options that can work. You can use key lights, which are mounted at the front of the subjects. Fill lights can be a good choice for live streaming applications. They can soften the look of the main light source without causing strong glares or highlights. Some users may also incorporate hair lights into their setup. Hair lights are placed behind the subject and off to the side. They help separate the subject from the background and add a three-dimensional feel to the scene. They help make the streamer really stand out.
3. Factors to Consider When Choosing Equipment
Before you choose your live streaming equipment, ask yourself: What is the nature of your event? How can the live streaming event be broadcasted properly? What budget do you have for the event? What level of quality is acceptable for the live streaming event? What kind of internet bandwidth exists at your location? How much time do you have to set up your live streaming equipment? What is the intended audience or potential number of viewers you want to reach? In order to answer the above questions, there are several factors which are important to consider when planning your live stream events. These factors can include the nature of the event, the location, the type of audience, the time of day or year, or the ability of the AV shot and decision makers to be flexible. In this article, you will learn what these factors are, so it becomes easier for you to decide on the type of equipment needed.
When it comes to live streaming events, many factors come into play which you need to consider to ensure the smooth delivery of content. In this article, we will be discussing important factors to consider when you are in the planning stages of a live stream in Singapore. There are two main factors to consider when planning a live stream: content delivery and live streaming equipment. For content delivery to happen seamlessly, you need to ensure that only high-quality live streaming equipment is used to carry out the live stream. The success of your live stream depends on live streaming equipment. Since a variety of live streaming equipment is available, it can often be challenging to make the right selection for your event. In this article, we will provide you with a guide on the factors that you need to consider when choosing live streaming equipment to ensure your event is broadcast correctly.
3.1. Budget Constraints
The truth is that live streaming equipment can be very expensive, but there are also options at varying price points that are available. Then, of course, the type of content will shape what exactly is needed. Football coaches streaming matches will have very different needs from church audio-visual departments. Given that these are all real-world needs, this article will assume a few different scenarios and recommend some camera solutions that are budget-friendly for those scenarios. For those who are willing to mix in some mobile streaming equipment that will work well for many situations where there is not a professional or semi-professional audio or video lighting team, we have a few suggestions.
Most obviously, what is available in terms of money or budget? What will give us the best quality for our money? What is the intended use and the type of content that is to be produced? Also, who will be responsible for setting up the equipment? If this is not you, then it would be wise to consult with whoever will be doing this and give them some input on what equipment to get.
There is a huge range of equipment out there, and much of it could be used for live streaming. It can be overwhelming trying to decide what to get, so the best is to start with some basic guidelines, which will be covered here. To begin with, there are some questions to consider.
3.2. Streaming Platform Compatibility
In this regard, it is important to also note that live streaming platforms usually only allow a certain number of devices to stream to the platform at a time. While the limited duration of such a policy may be adequate for a small-scale single-device live stream, it may necessitate the use of a hardware encoder able to receive multiple video feeds if the aim is to equip multiple streaming channels/devices to broadcast in a large-scale multi-device setting such as with multiple live roaming cameras.
Some of these dedicated external hardware encoders will come built-in with streaming compatibility to popular live streaming platforms. Popular live streaming platforms in Singapore include Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and Zoom. It is important to ensure that the external hardware encoder of your choice is compatible with the live streaming platform of your choice. Such compatibility is usually set up as a simple matter of selecting the streaming platform in the settings of the external hardware encoder and then inputting your streaming key.
4. Case Studies of Successful Live Streaming Setups
Case study 2: Product Launched: SK Jewellery Lovers’ Journey of Destiny Showcase SK Jewellery collaborated with Lock Production and other e-commerce platforms to promote the launch of two new products. During the live broadcast, various camera angles’ switching was accompanied by pre-recorded clips. The filming, as a whole, integrated the image, product, and usage descriptions to create a narrative story for the watch and bracelet being launched. A Celebrities Discover Love multilingual online series, inspired by a love story between a couple with an age gap disagreement, the only thing that treasures their love memories is a series of delicate SK Jewellery accessories. The linguistic targeting of different racial groups allowed fans from different countries to understand the storyline and interact with the celebrities. The deep combination of drama production and storytelling created a love journey that guided fans to discover thematic local SK Jewellery. Fans could interact and give clues during the live streaming, and the first person to guess the full story received an exclusive SK Jewellery accessory.
Case study 1: Product Launched: Lancome x Taylor Swift Fragrance Launch The brand first collaborated with the famous pop singer, Taylor Swift, and Barefoot Social to launch a new fragrance. Engaging celebrity guests and obtaining permissions to play Taylor Swift’s songs on-site required complicated legal processes. Barefoot Social used a multi-camera setup to convey the various angles of the main stage, and the live stream was broadcasted on Lancome’s Facebook page. Custom-made user interaction buttons were used on the stream. Prior to the event, a makeup tutorial video was created, featuring the usage of Lancome cosmetics, which was broadcast live on the day of the event. During the event, a live interactive session between the celebrity and fans was held. The filming, as a whole, required a professional team. The pre-event promotion started a month before the launch, which was publicized through the live makeup tutorial, combining both online and in-store sales.
5. Conclusion and Recommendations
There are several unique technical design features this project recommends to create a reconfigurable scaffolding, or a future live streaming design that supports a significant portion of the market’s needs. 5G infrastructure may change this in the future and is worth exploring. Second, a low-cost cradle or support system for the standard iPhone should also be produced, easing the live streaming for many more hands-free experiences. Third, a dual-user experience may reduce stress and errors during individual content creation. Users and their chat respondents may interact on different camera views or direct specific camera questions or statements to minimize disruptions to the production process. Relatedly, one or another video editing tool to extract comments and questions from live streams may be helpful. Fourth, to extend the use of this study further, a person’s stream could be re-uploaded seamlessly with higher video quality by using online AI video enhancer services using cloud power if the stream is using standard codecs and correctly preprocessed. Finally, an all-in-one live streaming package, including a phone holder, microphones, and lights, with a low barrier of entry, may cater to those who are less technically inclined but still want to utilize live streaming capabilities.
This report has presented the qualitative research on social media live streaming in Singapore. It offers insight into the current landscape, how content is currently created, and the technical experience during production. The methodology utilized gathering insights on needed technical features and providing recommendations for future designs. The project used qualitative methods, such as observations and interviews, because there is little academic research about live streaming. Rather than using traditional data collection methods like surveys and quantitative methods, this research was designed for the participants to be as descriptive as possible to better understand why certain features are chosen. The result provides understanding of how and why certain equipment is chosen. There are several major findings: (i) the three major live streaming applications in Singapore are Instagram, Facebook Live, and YouTube; (ii) the most common content is food, followed by events, beauty tutorials, and exhibitions; (iii) consumers do not typically host live streams, preferring to view them; (iv) iPhones are used as cameras; (v) portable microphones and sets of lights are also used.
