Do you have the need to send high-quality video to your customers over the web? You'll definitely need a live streaming service provider that can help you get this task done. Here are some things to look out for when looking into a service provider.

Live Stream Delay

One of the main things that you should be considering is how much of a delay there is in the live stream. This is important for many reasons since you likely want to get real-time feedback from someone that is watching the stream. For example, you could be streaming your output from your video editing software so that a client can watch it in real-time and give feedback. Alternatively, you may be hosting a Q&A session with viewers, and want people to be able to speak to the guest that is answering questions. If there is a 15-second delay between when someone asks a question and when an answer is provided, that can be a very awkward live stream experience.

Video Quality

You likely want the video quality to be superior when using a live streaming service. While 720p may be acceptable, it is possible to stream 1080p footage live over the internet and have it look like you are watching the latest movie or TV show that just came out. Pay attention to the quality settings and how high up the service will allow you to stream. In some instances, you may need 4K resolutions. 

In addition, you may need accurate color settings in your video stream. This is important if you work in video post-production and are working with clients on color correcting their footage in real-time. You'll need the color to be as accurate as possible for them to give you constructive feedback.

Software & Hardware Requirements

Evey live streaming service is going to have its own hardware requirements, and you may have your own hardware limitations as well. Will it require that you have external video encoding hardware where you will be plugging in a direct video or camera feed, or will you be able to get by with screen sharing a portion of your desktop and routing the audio to the streaming software? This can make a big difference when it comes to if the streaming service will work for you or not. You may not have the budget to buy external hardware, and need to rely on screen sharing instead. 

For more information, contact a live streaming service.