Most of our clients have applications for streaming video of live events whether they are corporate clients, performing arts facilities, worship facilities or colleges and universities.

At its most basic, internet streaming is about taking an audio feed and a video feed, using an encoder to convert them to a format streamable over the internet, then getting that feed to a service provider who will host your videos in ways that people can easily access them. That’s the short version. The variety happens in how you capture the feed, how you convert it and what host you choose.

The first decision you will need to make is which video encoder you want to use to process your audio and video feeds.  You can select a capture card with encoding software—which typically supports a single format output (QuickTime, Microsoft Silverlight, Adobe Flash) or you can use a stand-alone encoding unit which does not require a PC.

The feed then travels via your internet connection to your streaming provider—typically a content delivery network.  A content delivery network or content distribution network (CDN) is a system of servers containing copies of data placed at various nodes of a network. The tradeoff in using a CDN or another streaming provider is usually about distance. The more hubs the provider has, the shorter the distance to get from the server to the person at their computer (or handheld).  Another popular option is Amazon’s Web Services (AWS)—which allows you to stream paying only for the loads you use.

Some hosts offer cloud-based archival storage so that you can offer content on-demand in addition to live streaming.

Acoustic Dimensions is working with Visioneering Studios and The Father’s House in Vacaville in an interactive, highly collaborative work-session over the next three days.  The design workshop is structured to take the systems from concept to documentation with budgets being developed in real-time.  As the client makes decisions, they can see the result of those decisions with input from the architect and engineers.  This approach—with all of the stakeholders at the table—allows ideas to be generated very quickly and just as quickly learn if they are viable or not.  Better yet, good ideas inspire other good ideas and the creativity not only develops the design on an accelerated schedule, but also results in systems where the client is actively involved in the process.  Day One is complete and ideas are flowing!

 We all work within some sort of frame of reference every day that is based on our personal experience.  For example, I could say that it was REALLY hot today – that it was 38 degrees outside – and depending on who I was talking to, I might get different reactions.  If your frame of reference was degrees Fahrenheit, then you’d think I was a nutcase.  But if your frame of reference was degrees Celsius, then you wouldn’t even think twice about it.  (38 degrees Celsius is equal to 102 degrees Fahrenheit)