It seems like everyone's live streaming right now. Experts predict live video will grow 15-fold and soon reach 17% of internet traffic. So why use just one online video platform for live streaming? When you stream content across multiple platforms, you can target more people interested in your products and services.
In this tutorial, learn how to stream to more than one platform through a process called "simulcasting." Then, discover why using a single tool like Viostream might prove more effective for your communication requirements.
Choose Where to Stream Live Content
There are various live streaming platforms online. The most popular include:
- YouTube
- Facebook Live
- Vimeo
- Kaltura
- Brightcove
- DaCast
- Viostream
These platforms serve different demographics, so choose the right one for your specific content. YouTube, for example, attracts a more general audience. Conversely, Viostream is a powerful online video platform tailored specifically for businesses and governments with a wealth of live streaming features such as embedded live streams and live URLs. Start your free trial to try it for 14 days.
Evaluate Your Bandwidth
Live streaming content takes up considerable bandwidth, regardless of the platform you use. Simulcasting content over three, four, or even five platforms will take up even more bandwidth and possibly overload your network.
You can increase your bandwidth by:
- Using a different Wi-Fi channel
- Investing in a new router
- Optimizing the settings on your router
If you still have trouble, contact your internet service provider.
Select Your Simulcasting Method
There are two ways to stream content to multiple platforms: schedule and broadcast your stream on each platform manually or use an online tool that supports simulcasting.
Schedule and Broadcast Live Streams Manually
It's difficult to live stream content to multiple platforms simultaneously. Each streaming destination requires you to send your stream to its specific platform, and there's no way to push your stream to another destination.
However, you can schedule and broadcast live streams manually. While this takes a lot of time and resources, it's possible to stream the same feed to multiple audiences at once. You need to connect your audio and video source to each platform individually and follow the live streaming instructions for each destination.
The problem is, many audio-video sources don't support simulcasting, so you might have to invest in expensive new technology. Top-end hardware encoders make it possible to simulcast content across multiple platforms. However, you still need to configure each stream individually using the Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) — the protocol that lets you stream content over the internet.
As you can see, it's difficult to stream content to more than one video platform manually. That's why we recommend using a simul-cast tool.
Use an Online Tool That Supports Simulcasting
There are a few online platforms with simulcasting capabilities that make it possible to live stream to multiple places. For example, you can live stream on Facebook and Instagram simultaneously.
Simulcasting tools take your stream and circulate it to various platforms of your choice. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Dacast: Video streaming platform with simulcasting features. You can simulcast content to Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms. Prices start from $39 per user, per month.
- BoxCast: Simulcast content on platforms like YouTube and Facebook Live. Prices start from $99 per month.
- Livestream: Simulcast to Facebook Live and Vimeo. Prices start from $75 per month.
While using one of the above tools sounds like a better option than manually scheduling and broadcasting your streams, you might experience some issues:
- Not all online simulcasting tools support all online video platforms. One tool might let you simulcast on Facebook and Vimeo, for example, but not on YouTube.
- Simulcasting is not always effective, even if you use a reliable online tool. Your streams might not work across all platforms or malfunction.
- There could be security issues when live streaming content over so many platforms at one time.
- You might need to know code to set up simulcasts.
How Viostream Helps
Viostream offers a better alternative to simulcasting content across multiple platforms — a process that's more trouble than it's worth. You won't have to invest in expensive new technology, waste time connecting your audio and visuals to various platforms (which can often only be done manually), or worry about the security risks of simulcasting. With Viostream, everything you need for live streaming is on one platform.
With Viostream's live URLs, you can send links that allow your audience to watch content from any device wherever they are in the world. You can also embed live streams in websites and blogs so everyone can view your content. The only thing these viewers need is an internet browser.
For almost 20 years, Viostream has optimized video technology and asynchronous communication with an incredible range of live streaming and video-on-demand features. These features include enhanced security, real-time video analytics, HTML5 playback, 4K support, personalized video galleries, video recordings, playback features, interactive transcripts, closed captioning, calls-to-action, and much more. You'll benefit from live streaming and video management features you won't find on free platforms like YouTube, as well as world-class customer support.
Learning how to stream to multiple platforms is certainly possible, but it can be expensive and confusing. You can do it manually with a hardware encoder or use a platform that supports simulcasting. If you don't have the time or patience to do either, use an alternative like Viostream. It's a single platform for live streaming that takes care of interactivity, analytics, media management, and security. Connect with your audience via live URLs and embedded live streams for more effective engagement.
Viostream is a top live streaming and VOD solution for governments and businesses. Start your free trial and see how Viostream's professional video hosting platform can help improve your business communications today.
.svg){kind=icon}
Continue reading
